Conceptual Model Import from ER/Studio DA

Go Up to Conceptual Models

You can import ER/Studio DA logical model elements and domains into an ER/Studio BA conceptual model. The import uses pre-defined mapping. A mapping table is also included for Bound Business Elements. The following rules apply to the elements you are importing from ER/Studio DA:

• When you select a main model/submodel, all the entities inside that submodel are moved to the Selected Entities tree. A subject area and diagram are created for each submodel.
• If you deselect the diagram that was created, the subject area and all the entity metadata stays in the Selected Entities tree.
• When importing ER/Studio DA diagrams with super/subtype relationships, the supertype entities will not be expanded automatically. However, an expander indicator () will appear in the parent entity indicating the presence of children.

• If the Show expansion control preference is set, expanders are shown for all entities after an import. If the preference is not set, the expander is displayed only when there are children.

• You do not have to import all the attributes for a given entity. You can select one or more attributes you want imported from the list of all attributes in an entity.
• If you deselect a subject area that was created, all its nested subjects with their corresponding diagrams are removed from the Selected Entities tree.
• If you import a model having relationships with verb phrases, the verb phrases are imported and displayed the diagram by default
• If the business name of a relationship is shown in an ER/Studio DA model, they are displayed on import, even if the "show name on creation" preference is not set for relationships.
• There are two kinds of Entity nodes: EntityData in the Main Model, and EntityDisplay in the Submodel.

• If you select an Entity under the Main Model (which is an EntityData) then only the entity is moved to the Selected Entities tree with its nested entities. No subject areas and diagram are created.
• If you select an Entity under a Submodel (which is an EntityDisplay), a diagram and subject area are created in addition to the Entities.

• If you select a Supertype node, both the parent and children of this supernode are selected as well.

The following rules apply to the created Business Elements when you import domains from ER/Studio DA:

• ER/Studio DA domains are created as Business Elements.
• The enforce name property of the created business elements is always cleared. Therefore, the “override name” option is never set on Business Attributes created through the import process.
• The enforce data type, description, and notes properties are pulled from the “allow override” options on the ER domains themselves. Business attributes are no longer checked to see if they actually override the properties.
• If the domains allow the properties to be overridden, the “enforce” options are cleared accordingly on the business element. The “override” options are never enabled on the business attributes, even though the properties may differ from those of the business element.
• If the domains do not allow the properties to be overridden, the “enforce” options are set accordingly on the business element. The “override” options are enabled on all business attributes. The properties should match those of the business element because of ER/Studio DA behavior.

Importing an ER/Studio DA Model to a Conceptual Model

1 In the Model View tree right-click the project or conceptual model where you want the imported ER/Studio DA model to be placed.

2 Select Import > From ER/Studio Data Architect > Create New Conceptual Objects....

3 In the Source Name and Location dialog, select the ER/Studio DA diagram you want to import. You can browse to the location of the diagram. Under Model options, the Model Name is the default name of the ER/Studio DA model you are importing.

4 In the tree, select where you want the model to be placed and click Next.

5 In the Object Selection dialog you can specify the objects you want included in the model. There are two tabs: Entities and Domains. Under the Entities tab, the Available Entities tree shows the entity hierarchy for the ER/Studio DA Logical model, including Super and Sub-types.

Note: All the physical models in the ER/Studio DA file are ignored. Also, ER/Studio DA views are not imported because the Conceptual model does not have a corresponding type.

• From the list of Available Entities, select the entities you want to import and click . You can select multiple objects by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking individual objects. You can also import the entire list by clicking . All the selected entities are moved to the Selected Object tree.
• If you want to import only selected attributes within an entity, expand the entity and select the attributes you want to import and click . You can select multiple attributes by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking individual attributes. The entity and only the attributes you selected are moved to the Selected Object tree.
• Nested Submodels are imported as nested Subject Areas. A diagram with the same name as the Subject Area is created and a map is created between the diagram and the Subject Area after the import.
• The Model name that appears under Model Options on the first panel of the wizard appears in the Selected Entities panel.

6 After you have made your selections on the Entities tab, click the Domains tab. You can select the type of element you want the domain imported as. Your three options are: Business Elements, Domains, and Business Elements Referencing Domains.

Note: You can set a default preference for your import type.

7 All domains in the ER/Studio DA model are listed. See Importing ER/Studio Data Architect Domains as ER/Studio BA Domains for the rules that apply when importing ER/Studio DA domains.

Note: If you only want to see bound domains, select that option “Only show domains bound to selected entities” located below the Available domains list box. In ER/Studio DA you can bind a domain to an entity attribute, so this option filters out domains that are not bound to entities. If no entities are selected for inclusion in the import, this option is not available.

8 Click Finish and the imported model with all its associated diagrams, subject areas, and entities is placed in the Model View tree.

Caution: For diagrams, relationship bend points and connection points are not imported and/or updated. They will be auto-routed using the default routing algorithms).