Changing Data Model Layout

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Go Up to Customizing the Data Model

ER/Studio Data Architect offers two ways to change the layout of your data models:

  • Auto Layout that redraws your data model according to preset styles.
  • The Layout Properties Editor that allows you to further customize the preset styles by setting parameters such as spacing, packing, tiling, and labeling conventions.

The following will help you change the layout of a data model:

Redraw a Data Model Using Auto Layout

  1. Open a data model.
  2. From the Alignment toolbar, select an auto layout option. Or go to Layout > Select a layout.

Alignment toolbar autolayout.GIF

ER/Studio Data Architect redraws the data model in the Data Model Window according to the rules of the preset style chosen.

Notes

The following describes the auto layout preset styles shown above, in order from left to right:

  • Circular Layout: The circular layout reveals the dependencies and relationships between the data model objects.Emphasizes group structure by rearranging the data model into one or more circular patterns. This layout groups related entities into clusters and each cluster is grouped into circles according to the logical interconnection of the clusters and in a manner that minimizes the number of lines that cross the middle of the data model.
  • Hierarchical Layout: Organizes entities in a hierarchical pattern based on the direction of the relationship between the entities. Hierarchical diagrams can display circular relationships, where the relationship path starts and ends on the same entity.
    Note: The Hierarchical Layout is the only type that represents data flows in a consistent direction.
  • Orthogonal Layout: Useful for data models where inherent hierarchical structures are unimportant but the relationship orientation and ease of navigation is important. The orthogonal layout rearranges the data model into square-line, rectangular patterns that use only horizontal and vertical line routing. Orthogonal Layouts have few crossings and allow minimal stretching of entities that have a high number of incident relationships. Diagrams with this layout never overlap between entities or between entities and non-incident relationships.
  • Symmetric Layout: This layout provides a symmetrical pattern centered around a single entity where peripheral entities move to the edge of the diagram. Symmetric Layouts naturally expose ring and star diagrams, producing clear data model diagrams that highlight the natural symmetry of many data models. Symmetric Layouts produce congruent data models of isomorphic graphs (graphs with the same structure), distribute entities uniformly, and create diagrams with few relationship crossings.
  • Tree Layout: Use a tree layout for data models that contain a unique predecessor relationship. The tree layout rearranges your diagram into a tree pattern with parent and child entities, producing a data model that contains a root entity and only one unique path from the root entity to any other entity. Tree layouts can have branches and siblings where parent to child relationships are inherent.
  • Global Layout: Rearranges your data model according to the style chosen for the target data model.
  • Incremental Layout: Rearranges your data model according to the style chosen for the target data model without disturbing styles previously applied to pre-existing objects.


See Also