Diagrams

Diagrams are used to uniquely arrange, view, and work on the objects in your model. You can create diagrams at the model level and at the subject area level. Further, you can create multiple diagrams for each subject area in your model. When you create a diagram, you can:

  • Change the display levels and options for different analysis and presentation purposes. For example, you can create a diagram to show all entity names with their corresponding definitions.
  • Arrange the model objects differently without affecting the same object in another subject area or diagram associated with the model. For example, you can create a diagram with drawing objects to magnify certain areas of the model for a presentation.
  • Browse through a diagram horizontally or vertically by holding the middle button of the mouse. Zoom in or zoom out a diagram by holding the Ctrl key and using the mouse wheel (Ctrl + scroll).

When you create a model, it always includes one diagram, named ER_Diagram_115. When you create a diagram, a diagram tab is appended to the bottom of the diagram window. You can switch between diagrams by clicking the tab.

If you have multiple subject areas in your model, you can create a unique set of diagrams for each subject area. When you switch to a different subject area, you only see the diagram tabs for the current subject area.

You can navigate to diagrams in the Model Explorer, and you can also add, delete, and edit diagrams in the Model Explorer.

In a logical/physical model, when you create a diagram for the logical model, a similar diagram is created for the physical model; also, when you create one in a physical model, a similar one is created in the logical model. However, you must define the properties for both, Entity and Table objects in their respective tabs. You can also customize the logical and physical model options in separate diagrams so they are unique. For example, you can create a diagram called User_Logical and another called User_Physical and switch between the two diagrams.

When you save a model as an .erwin file, the diagrams are saved with the model, not as individual files. When you open a model, all previously created diagrams are available.

Note: In versions of erwin® Data Modeler prior to r8, a diagram was referred to as a stored display.

ER Diagram Editor contains the following tabs:

General, Members, Relationships, Layout, Display, Entity, Table, View, Relationship, Page Setup, Page Setup Margins, Definition, UDP.

More information:

Set Diagram Options Using the Diagram Editor

Create a New Diagram

Drawing Objects

The Diagram Window