Chapter 11 Linking and Synchronizing Models

Generating a Model

PowerDesigner provides powerful capabilities for generating one model from another, and then keeping the two models synchronized. Thus, you could model your data at an abstract level in a CDM, generate an LDM to model implementation-neutral features, and then generate multiple PDMs for various DBMSs.

The following table shows which model types you can generate from each model type:

	BPM	CDM	LDM	PDM	ILM	OOM	XSM
BPM	X
CDM		X	X	X		X
LDM		X	X	X
PDM		X	X	X		X	X
ILM					X
OOM		X		X		X	X
XSM							X

To generate one model from another:

Select Tools, and then one of the following to open the appropriate Model Generation Options Window:
- Generate Business Process Model... Ctrl+Shift+B
- Generate Conceptual Data Model... Ctrl+Shift+C
- Generate Logical Data Model... Ctrl+Shift+L
- Generate Physical Data Model... Ctrl+Shift+P
- Generate Information Liquidity Model...
- Generate Object-Oriented Model... Ctrl+Shift+O
- Generate XML Model... Ctrl+Shift+M

On the General tab, select a radio button to generate a new or update an existing model, and complete the appropriate options. For more details, see Model Generation Options window.

[optional – PDM-PDM generation only] Click the DBMS Preserve Options tab and set any appropriate options. For more details, see Model Generation Options window DBMS Preserve Options tab.

[optional] Click the Detail tab and set any appropriate options. For more information, see Model Generation Options window Detail tab.

[optional] Click the Target Models tab and specify the target models for any generated shortcuts. For more information, see Model Generation Options window Target Models tab.

[optional] Click the Selection tab and select or deselect objects to generate. For information about using the tools on this tab, see "Adding an item from a selection list" in the Objects chapter.

Click OK to begin generation.