Editor Canvas
The root element of an ADORA
model is represented by the editor canvas. On this canvas, a modeler
can draw different kind of elements, such as nodes and connections. The
canvas operation are provided by the editor palette. Fig. 1 shows the editor canvas with
its palette and a simple model drawn on it.

Fig. 1: The editor canvas and
the palette
of the ADORA editor.
The first class of elements of an ADORA
models are node elements. These
are: object sets, abstract objects, states, actors, scenarios, aspect
containers and exit
points. For inserting one of these nodes simply
select the node type in the editors palette and click on the canvas,
where it should be inserted. This only works if the node below the
mouse pointer can contain the node to insert. If so, the node is
created and inserted as child. If space is needed, the space for the
inserted node is created, so that the resulting model is occlusion free.
Inserting Connections
Connections (associations,
transitions, scenario connections and join relationships) are drawn
from the source element to the target element. Associations can be drawn
between components (abstract
objects and object sets),
between actors and root scenario nodes and between aspect containers and
abstract (server) objects. Join relationships
are drawn between the entry state of behavior chunks or the root of a
scenario tree and a transition which is crosscut. To draw a connection,
select the corresponding connection in the palette
and click on the start element, then the connection will be drawn to
the position of your mouse cursor. Just find the destination element
and click, then the line will be established.
Zooming in / Zooming out
See Model
Navigation.
Deleting Nodes
Mark the nodes which should be
deleted with the help of the select tool in the palette,
then just press the delete key
on your keybord. The node, all child nodes and the connections from the
node or one of its child node are deleted. The freed space is used by
the model by automatically contracting the model, so that the freed
space is used by the formerly sourrounding model elements.
Deleting Connections
Just select the connection in
the canvas that should be deleted with the help of the select
tool in the palette and press the delete button on your
keybord and the element will be deleted.
Rearranging Models
Models can be rearranged by just
dragging elements from one parent to another. Executing this operation
leads automatically to a shrinking of the former parent and a bloating
of the new parent so that the freed place is automatically used by its
sourrounding elements. Furthermore the newly needed space in the new
parent is gained by shifting the elements away that potentially cause
an occlusion.