Palette

The Palette contains tools that allow things to be added to the diagram, such as instances of architectural element types.  The palette can be organized into multiple sections. By default, AcmeStudio provides two palette sections: Architecture and Annotation. The architectural element types that can be added to a diagram are found in the Architecture section. These types comprise the design vocabulary that may be used to edit the selected system displayed in the diagram editor. The Palette includes types for each of the families to which the system belongs as well as all of the types that are defined globally. Each family has a corresponding drawer in the Palette. When editing a system, the palette displays four lists: a list of component types, connector types, port types and role types.

When you first open a system, the palette may be closed. You can open the palette by hovering over the palette title, which will temporarily open the palette so that you can make a tool selection, or by clicking on the left-arrow at the top, which will open the palette until the system is closed.

Architecture Palette Section

The Architecture Palette contains the list of element types that are available for use in the Acme system, in addition to a number of tools for selecting and connecting elements. The Architecture section is displayed by default when a system is opened.

New components and connectors may be added to a system by selecting a type, dragging it over the Diagram editor and dropping it into the design.  Component and Connector Types may be dragged anywhere over the window, while Port and Role Types should be dragged over the Component or Connector to which a new port or role should be added. Note that you can also add new structure to a system by selecting the appropriate item from the Design menu or the context menu.

Additional types can be assigned to elements by dragging one of the types over the element. For example, if a component is to be assigned the type: Filter, then if the Filter element is dragged and dropped over a component, that new type will be assigned, and associated default structure added.

 

Annotation Palette Section

The Annotation Palette contains a list of non-architectural diagrammatic annotations that can be added to the diagram to improve its readability. In terms of shapes, rectangles, ellipses, rounded boxes, and lines may be added to the diagram. Labels and notes may also be added; to change the text of a label or note, click once after the annotation has been selected. To change the colors, fonts, etc. of these annotations, you should select the annotation and edit the characteristics via the Property View.