Chapter 2 Getting Started with PowerDesigner

Creating a Model

A model is the basic work unit in PowerDesigner. Every model is contained within a workspace, and contains at least one diagram and any number of other objects. Though a model may be split into packages for organizational reasons or may contain several diagrams, it remains the fundamental basis for your modeling work.

Creating a project
A project can provide a convenient environment for working with multiple interconnected models and other files. For detailed information about working with projects, see the Projects and Framework Matrices chapter.

Creating a model

To create a model:

Select File→New to open the New dialog box.

Select the appropriate model for your needs by clicking on it. Note that the tabs on the right of the dialog box change depending on the model currently selected.

Type a name in the Model name box. The code of the model, which may be used for script or code generation, is derived from this name according to the model naming conventions. You can modify the name and/or code at any time from the model property sheet by right-clicking the model entry in the Browser and selecting Properties from the contextual menu.

Choose any appropriate options in the right hand tabs (for example, if you are creating a PDM, you will specify a particular DBMS to model or, for an OOM, you will specify an object language).

For model types with multiple kinds of diagrams, you can also specify the type of diagram you want to start with (you can add additional diagrams to your model later by right-clicking on the model in the Browser and selecting New→Diagram_Type).

Click OK. The new model will be created in your workspace in the Browser, and its default diagram will be opened in the canvas.

The following table lists the PowerDesigner models that you see in the Model type pane:

Model definition	File ext	Backup ext
Requirements Model. An RQM is a textual model, which can be used to list and explain all the customer needs that must be satisfied during a development process	.rqm	.rqb
Enterprise Architecture Model. An EAM analyzes high level functions, processes, and flows for your organization	.eam	.eab
Business Process Model. A BPM allows you to identify processes and atomic tasks and organize them in a hierarchy that you can then implement	.bpm	.bpb
Conceptual Data Model. A CDM represents the overall structure of a database, which is independent of any software or data storage structure	.cdm	.cdb
Logical Data Model. An LDM provides a DBMS-neutral picture of a database.	.ldm	.ldb
Physical Data Model. A PDM specifies the physical implementation of the database	.pdm	.pdb
Information Liquidity Model. An ILM is a design tool to make replication engine design and configuration easier to use	.ilm	.ilb
Object Oriented Model. An OOM uses UML diagrams to let you design a static conceptual model of a software system using an object-oriented approach for Java or other object languages	.oom	.oob
XML Model. An XSM is a graphic representation of an XML file that provides a global and schematic view of all its elements	.xsm	.xsb
Free Model. A FEM allows you to create any kind of chart or diagram, in a context-free environment	.fem	.feb
Multi-Model Report. Not a model, but an automated report that covers more than one model	.mmr	.bmr

Saving a model

Each model is saved in a separate file, with an extension specific to its model type. When you save a model, PowerDesigner also automatically creates a backup copy.

To save and close a model:

Select File→Save.

or

Click the Save tool in the PowerDesigner toolbar.

or

Right-click the model in the Browser and select Save.

Right-click the model and select Close.