Opening an existing file object

Chapter 6 Managing Objects

Opening an existing file object

The file object symbol is a graphical representation of a Windows supported file in a model.

When you create a file object, you first create a graphical symbol and an object, then you can open it in order to start working with the associated application.

You can define text editors for the extensions of your file objects in the General Options dialog box.

For more information on defining text editors, see section Defining a text editor in chapter Using the PowerDesigner interface.

When you work with an embedded object file, the content of the file is stored into a temporary file while the associated application opens. Each time you save your file in the associated application, its content is automatically copied from the temporary file into your PowerDesigner model. If you rename your file in the associated application, PowerDesigner will not be able to recognize your file and its content will not be copied into your model.

To open an existing file object:

Double-click the file object node in the Model Explorer tree view.

or

Double-click the file object symbol in the diagram.

The application associated with the file object extension opens. If the file object extension has no association in Windows, a standard Open With dialog box opens that lets you select the application you want to open the file object.

Opening a file object from the List of Files
You can also open a file object from the List of Files by selecting a file object in the list, and select the Open File tool.