Custom Symbols (Profile)

A custom symbol allows you to modify the appearance of instances of the metaclass, stereotype, or criterion.

When you customize the line style of a link symbol, such as a PDM reference for example, the parameters you select in the Style list and in the Arrow groupbox in the Line Style tab replace the one you may have selected in the Display Preferences dialog box. This can provoke confusion in the model coherence. To avoid that confusion and preserve the method definition of your model, you should use the Notation attribute in the Style list and or in the Arrow groupbox. This attribute is only available in the Profile.

  1. Right-click a metaclass, stereotype, or criterion in the Profile category and select New > Custom Symbol.

    A new custom symbol is created under the selected category.



  2. Specify a default Width and Height for the symbol and then click the Modify button to open the Symbol Format dialog box, and set the required properties on the various tabs.

    For more information on the Symbol Format dialog box (and on the additional custom symbol options that let you control the default format options for the symbol, and whether users can edit them, on a per-tab basis) see Core Features Guide > The PowerDesigner Interface > Diagrams, Matrices, and Symbols > Symbols > Symbol Format Properties.

  3. Click OK to return to the resource editor, where you can view your changes in the Preview field.
  4. Click Apply to save your changes.
Parent topic: Extension Files