The Insert Graphic command enables you to insert a generic graphic on a diagram to enrich the representation. CORE prompts you to select an image from either the stock image libraries or from your own file collection. The image is then inserted at full size in the middle of the screen. You can then easily drag the graphic to the position desired.
Selective use of graphics can significantly enrich the representation value of your model. There are many useful cases for doing this, most notably displaying team or project logos as well as graphical backgrounds. That said, don’t overdo a good thing. Emphasize graphics for level 0 / level 1 and critical stakeholder communications.
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Where are diagram graphics stored? External graphics are referenced by CORE but not directly imported into the database. On diagrams, the graphical references are stored as part of the diagram's view description. This layer adds rich representation to the technical correctness of the diagram content generated from the underlying system model. When using graphics, if you delete the corresponding view description in the stored view navigator, you will delete the reference to the graphic along with all other customizations of the diagram representation (sizing, coloring, positioning, diagram options, etc.). |
CORE includes a base image library of over 3,000 images organized into approximately 25 categories to draw upon. All of the images included are 128x128, well-sized to balance representation of the image with the overall size (in pixels) of the diagram. While you will frequently want to use custom graphics, a common library provides a solid starting point.
When specifying an image if you know the stock image you want, you can directly select the desired library and image from the drop-downs. More likely, you will click the folder icon to browse the available library.
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Tips and Tricks Where stock images fit the need (technical and presentation) of the project team, selecting a stock image significantly simplifies model management. Rather than having to maintain a separate library of image files, everything is self-contained in the graphic library installed with CORE. However, more often than not, you will want your own graphics to convey either the richness of the domain or your specific branding. |
Frequently, you will want to use a custom image to best enrich your technical representation. Selecting the graphic file option will allow you to specify a graphic for use on the diagram using the standard Windows file dialog. The dialog opens on your base graphics path (set as a property in your project property sheet).
By default, the external graphics path is set to the Bitmaps folder in the CORE installation directory. You can add any graphic desired to this folder or can change the path to point to any directory you wish. Individual images can be located either within this base graphics path or outside of it. Images within this directory structure will automatically be referenced relatively, easing the management from machine to machine. Images outside of this directory structure will be referenced absolutely, meaning that multiple users must be able to reach the same location using the same network path.
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Tips and Tricks Use moderation in your color palette and your image size. CORE supports up to 16M colors, but 256 color bitmaps produce almost the same level of results. A 128x128 image gives richness without increasing the diagram (pixel) size. |
The name is an optional label which provides a flexible, user-assigned name for the external graphic reference. This name is used to represent the graphic reference in any textual representation such as an element grid cell, etc. If no name is provided, the image name (for stock images) or file name (for custom images) will be used.
The display mode defines the scaling approach to be used when the image is displayed on a diagram. There are three possible values:
Maintain Fixed Size - display the image at its native resolution, cropping the image as required. This mode will not scale either dimension up or down.
Scale with Aspect Ratio - scale both dimensions proportionally to fit the available space. Note that the maximum scale in this mode is 100% in order to maximize the impact and usability of the diagrams.
Stretch to Fit - scale both dimensions independently up or down to fit the available space. The image will stretch or compress as required.