Attaching an extended model definition to your model

Chapter 2 Resource Files and the Public Metamodel

Attaching an extended model definition to your model

When you create a new model, or when you reverse engineer into a new model, you can select one or several extended model definitions and attach them to the model from the New Model dialog box.

Caution
You should never modify the extended model definitions shipped with PowerDesigner. For each original extended model definition you want to modify, you should create a corresponding new extended model definition. To do so you have to create a new extended model definition from the List of Extended Model Definitions, define a name and select the original file in the Copy From list. This allows you to create a new extended model definition that is identical to the original file apart from the name.

You can also attach an extended model definition to your current model.

To attach an extended model definition to a model:

Select Model→Extended Model definitions to open the List of Extended Model Definitions.

Click the Import tool to open the Extended Model Definitions Selection dialog.

The available XEMs for this type of model are listed divided by type on one or more sub-tabs. Select one or more XEMs to attach to your model.

Select one of the radio buttons:
- Share – creates a link to the XEM file. Any changes made to the extended model definition will be shared by all those models linked to it.
- Copy – creates a copy of the XEM private to the model. Any changes made to the XEM affect only the current model, with which it is saved.

Click OK to return to your model.:

Naming conventions
When you import an extended model definition and copy it into a model, the name and code of the extended model definition may be modified in order to respect the naming conventions of the Other Objects category in the Model Options dialog box.