Chapter 5 Objects

Opening and editing file objects

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 a file object:

1. Double-click the file object node in the Browser, its symbol in the diagram, or its entry in the List of Files.
   
   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.

A newly created file object has, by default, a .txt extension and opens in Notepad. You can change the extension in the file object property sheet and associate other editors with the extension.

To select an application program for a file object:

1. Right-click a file object and select→Open With→Choose Program from the contextual menu.
2. Browse to the directory that contains the program file you want, select it, and click Open.
   
   The file object automatically opens in the associated application program.

For more information about text editors, see section "Specifying text editors" in the Models chapter.

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