Models

Models are the basic work unit in PowerDesigner. You must create a model before you can begin modeling. You can group models together in projects and framework diagrams. You can break models down into packages to isolate a part of your model and make it easier to work with.

PowerDesigner provides various forms of sophisticated generation and reverse engineering for your models. For more information about:

• Organizing Your Models in the Browser
  The Browser provides a hierarchical view of all your model objects.
• Checking a Model
  You can check the validity of your model at any time. We recommend that you check your model before generating code or another model from it. The Check model option is enabled by default in the Generate dialog box and, if an error is found, the generation is stopped.
• Using the Free Model
  A free model (FEM) provides a context-free environment for modeling any kind of objects or systems. It is generally associated with a set of extensions, which allow you to define your own concepts and graphical symbols.
• Model Templates
  A model template is a shell model that contains a set of model options, display preferences, extensions, and/or objects, which you can reuse in multiple models of the same type. For example, a BPM model template can be used to create other BPMs, but not an OOM or PDM. Model templates are stored in the model templates directory, which is, by default, the PowerDesigner installation directory.
• Upgrading from Previous Versions of PowerDesigner
  The resource files that customize PowerDesigner for particular target languages or DBMSs are constantly evolving. When you open a model created with a previous version of PowerDesigner, the resource file associated with the model will be automatically upgraded if possible. Note that it may be possible to upgrade a model created with v6.x or earlier but only upgrading from v7.x or later is supported.