An easy way to model object interactions and create UML sequence diagrams

Trace Modeler is an easy-to-use yet powerful tool for modeling object interactions.

Have you ever pondered the design of a solution before coding it? Are you convinced that documenting key interactions is a worthwhile investment? Do you find that drawing UML sequence diagrams is harder than it ought to be?

If so, then Trace Modeler might just be the tool for you! By letting you focus on content rather than form, Trace Modeler enables you to be more productive when dealing with the dynamics of an object oriented system. Why not give it a try?

Trace Modeler's graphical editor supports UML sequence diagrams and is tailored to object interactions and their semantics. This allows you to reason and express your ideas on the same level of abstraction.

With Trace Modeler you're always working with a well-formed and visually pleasing diagram! Whenever you make a change the layout adjusts instantly and automatically. No more wrestling with shapes and connectors!

Trace Modeler was designed to let you regain control of your time and focus solely on the model. It offers you a much better UI to manipulate object interactions and at the same time it takes care of all the non-modeling issues. That way, you can spend your valuable time on what matters most : the actual content.

Trace Modeler aims to be the most user-friendly and powerful tool for modeling object interactions and without a doubt lets you be more productive in your modeling sessions.

In fact, working with Trace Modeler is so time efficient that prototyping with sequence diagrams is finally feasible. Really, just give it a try and see for yourself!

Here are some key features of "Trace Modeler":

Supported UML sequence diagram elements:
· targets
· object, class, active object, active class, multiobject
· iconic stereotypes: actor, boundary, control, entity, database
· destroy after destructor, after last call, at end of trace calls, activations and returns
· regular, constructor, destructor
· synchronous / asynchronous
· instantaneous / delayed notes and connectors
· combined fragments and operands

Automatic layout features:
· Trace Modeler will automatically and instantly layout your diagram!
· for targets, Trace Modeler willlay them out horizontally at a fixed horizontal distance from each other (user configurable)
· place constructed targets lower on the page, where the constructor call is
· determine the correct length of a target's lifeline
· put a destruction cross at the end of a lifeline when required for activations, Trace Modeler will
· place them on their target's lifeline and offset them when nested
· give all activations the same width (user configurable)
· match their position and height with their call and return arrows
· for call and return arrows, Trace Modeler will
· lay them out vertically based on their timing and a fixed distance (user configurable)
· keep the begin and end of each arrow correctly connected to the activations
· align call and return labels based on a style setting (user configurable)
· slant non-instantaneous calls for comments and connectors, Trace Modeler will
· resize notes to fit around their text
· keep notes and their connectors connected for combined fragments and operands, Trace Modeler will
· resize combined fragments to encompass the lifeline of each target that is active during that fragment
· resize combined fragments to encompass all call and return arrows contained in them
· resize combined fragments to encompass all nested fragments

Easy manipulation:
· Whenever you change a diagram, Trace Modeler will automatically and instantly update its layout!
· adding an element is easy, simply click where you want to add it and Trace Modeler will automatically
· layout the surrounding elements
· connect it to other elements if necessary rearranging a diagram is easy, simply drag an element to its new position and Trace Modeler will automatically
· move and resize the surrounding elements
· connect it to other elements if necessary
· layout the diagram so everything looks perfect again some other novel features
· split an activation
· inline a call
· suggest an optimal target order
· control when a target is destroyed with a simple property
· highlight the flow of control
· full bidi-support for interface and diagram (labels, notes, layout direction) work on different areas of a diagram and never get lost
· easy and accurate scrolling in any direction by right-dragging, no one dimensional scrollbars
· fast and easy zooming at the pointer location, with the mouse wheel
· sticky zoom levels - fit to width, fit to height, fit to window (coming soon)
· target bar - a target's name is overlaid semi-transparently on the diagram if only its lifeline is in view unlimited undo/redo

Control the look of your diagrams with simple style settings:
· influence the layout algorithm
· lifeline spacing, message spacing, found call length, layout direction change the look of your diagrams
· control flow highlight, hidden empty returns, activation width, stereotype icon size, call label alignment, return label alignment, fonts

Export your diagrams for use in documents or on the web:
· multiple formats
· PNG, JPG, BMP (SVG coming soon) different resolutions to match your output device
· 72, 150 or 300 DPI custom scaling
· specify an exact size in pixels, inches, centimeters or millimeters

Simple text-based file format (.trace):
· Fit for human consumption
· easy to generate
· easy to diff/merge revisions with any version control system

Requirements:

· Java 5 or later