The ObjectAid UML Explorer for Eclipse
The ObjectAid UML Explorer is an agile and lightweight code visualization tool for the Eclipse IDE. It shows your Java source code and libraries in live UML class and sequence diagrams that automatically update as your code changes.Why Another UML Tool?
The ObjectAid UML Explorer is different from other UML tools. It uses the UML notation to show a graphical representation of existing code that is as accurate and up-to-date as your text editor, while being very easy to use. Several unique features make this possible:
- You simply drag your Java classes onto a diagram from other Eclipse views; no need to start a lengthy reverse engineering job.
- Your source code and libraries are the model that is displayed, they are not reverse engineered into a different format.
- If you update your code in Eclipse, your diagram is updated as well; there is no need to reverse engineer source code.
- Refactoring updates your diagram as well as your source code. When you rename a field or move a class, your diagram simply reflects the changes without going out of sync.
- All diagrams in your Eclipse workspace are updated with refactoring changes as appropriate. If necessary, they are checked out of your version control system.
- Diagrams are fully integrated into the Eclipse IDE. You can drag Java classes from any other view onto the diagram, and diagram-related information is shown in other views wherever applicable.
The ObjectAid UML Explorer achieves all this while staying light, fast and easy to use. In addition, exploring code is easy because you can find and add related classes with a right-click from the context menu.
Installation
1- In the Eclipse main menu, go to Help > Install New Software...
2- In the 'Available Software' page of the 'Install' wizard, press the 'Add...' button.
3- In the 'Add Repository' dialog, enter this information and press 'OK':
Name: ObjectAid UML Explorer
URL: http://www.objectaid.com/update/current
4- The 'Install' dialog will now show the available ObjectAid plug-ins. Please select what you would like to install and press 'Next'. You may want to turn off the check box 'Contact all update sites during install to find required software' to speed up the download.
5- On the 'Install Details' page you should be able to simply press 'Next'.
6- On the 'Review Licenses' page you need to accept the ObjectAid license and press 'Finish' to begin the installation.
7- You will receive a 'Security Warning' message because the ObjecyAid JARs are not signed. Please press 'OK' to continue.
8- Once the installation is complete, you will be asked if you want to 'Restart Now', 'Not Now' or 'Apply Changes Now'. To be safe, please press the 'Restart Now' button and the ObjectAid UML Explorer will be available after the restart.