Creating activity frames

You can create an activity frame in the activity diagram to hold a group of elements, and then assign it activity parameters. The parameters indicate inputs and outputs of data to the frame. The frame can also be synchronized with a call behavior.

About this task

You can create the activity frame manually or automatically.

1. To create an activity frame manually, in the Rhapsody® project, add a class, right-click the class, and select Add New > Diagrams > Activity.
2. Right-click in the diagram drawing area and select the Show/Hide Activity Frame option. The activity frame displays in the diagram. Use the Features window to define the frame.
3. To synchronize the call behavior pins in activity frames, right-click in the activity frame and select Features.
4. Select the General tab and check Analysis Only and click OK.
5. Add some activity parameters to the activity frame and set the name, type, and direction of the pins.
6. Create another activity diagram and check Analysis Only in the General tab.
7. Drag the first activity (from the browser) into the second activity diagram.

   This action creates call behavior, that is referencing to the first activity, and small pins with the same name, type and direction as in the referenced activity.

   To update the activity pins in synchronized activity diagrams, right-click the call behavior and select Update/Create Activity Pins.

8. To add an activity frame automatically, right‑click the project or a package in the browser, and select Features to open the Features window.
9. On the Properties tab, navigate to the General::Graphics::ShowActivityFrame property, select the check box, and click OK.
10. Right-click a class and select Add New > Diagrams > Activity. The new diagram automatically contains an activity frame.

Results

On the activity diagram frame, you might display options for pins or parameters, as shown in the following figure.