The benefits of using Trace Modeler

It's all about time really... Your time!

The main benefit of using Trace Modeler is that it will save you a tremendous amount of time, plain and simple.

Try it on a couple of diagrams and you'll be convinced that you're more productive with Trace Modeler than with any other UML-tool you've used.

You only have to focus on the content of your sequence diagrams, Trace Modeler will take care of all the rest.

  • the diagram layout is updated instantly and automatically whenever you make a change
  • the look and layout of your diagrams is controlled by style settings and easily changed
  • diagrams are always visually pleasing and structurally correct

Think about the last time you had to deal with sequence diagrams, where did you spend most of your time? On the actual content or struggling with shapes and layout issues?

Trace Modeler has a couple of neat and innovative features that make working with sequence diagrams a pleasant experience... How's that for a change?

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 will
        lay 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