Defining Advanced Object Generations

Advanced object generations allow you to generate one or more types of object to any other types of object, with complete control over how all the attributes, compositions (sub-objects), and aggregations (related objects) will be mapped to the generated objects' properties. The generation mappings are defined in an extension file, can be shared with all users through the repository library, and are accessed by selecting Tools > Generate Objects > Generation Name.

Note: The following procedure gives an overview of the process for defining an advanced object generation. If an administrator has already defined a generation and provided the extension file to you, you can perform the generation directly by selecting Tools > Generate Objects > Generation Name. You can also define simple object generations for a single type of object directly in your model (see Defining Simple Object Generations).

Select Tools > Resources > Extensions > Model Type to open the appropriate extension file list.

Note: As object generations are defined on the source objects, you must choose the correct type of extension file. For example, if you are generating EAM organization units and processes to a BPM, you should create the generation definition in an enterprise architecture model extension file.
Create a new extension file in the list to contain your object generation definition (see Creating an Extension File).
Create an object generation definition in the extension file (see Customizing and Extending PowerDesigner > Extension Files > Object Generations (Profile)).
Save the extension file, attach it to a test model, and test the generation by selecting Tools > Generate Objects > Generation Name.
[optional] Check the extension file into the repository library to have it automatically deployed to all users (see Sharing Resource Files via the Library).