Building a Project

You build your project by creating (or adding existing) models and files. Project documents are listed in the Browser and displayed as icons in the project diagram. You can open a model or file by double-clicking its icon in the diagram or in the Browser.

In order to profit from the convenience of the project as a container, you should create (or place) all the associated models and files inside the project directory. However, you can also link to files outside the project directory. Such files are listed under the project node in the Browser, but display small shortcut icons on their symbols to indicate that they are located outside the project folder.

In the following example, Object Model is inside the project and Physical Model is outside the project:

You can, at any time, right-click a document in the Browser or its symbol in the diagram, and select Move to Project Directory to move it inside the project.

• Project Diagrams
  A project diagram allows you to display project documents and the relationships between them.
• Creating Models in a Project
  You can create new models in your project using the New Model tool or from the project contextual menu.
• Adding Existing Model and File Documents to a Project
  You can add existing model or file documents to your project using the Toolbox, Browser, or drag and drop.
• Converting a Set of Repository Documents into a Project
  You can retrieve a set of documents checked into the repository and convert them into a project to benefit from the convenience of the project as a container.
• Opening Project Documents
  Once you have added a PowerDesigner model to a project, you should only open the model within the context of the project, as links between it and any other models in the project are managed by the project file. If you attempt to open the model outside of the project, you will be prompted to cancel the operation, and to open the project instead.
• Viewing Dependency Links
  You can explore the details of any of the dependency links in your diagram by right-clicking it and selecting Show Dependencies.
• Rebuilding Dependency Links
  Dependency links are automatically generated in your project diagram when you add documents that are linked to each other by, for example, generation, mappings, shortcuts, etc.
• Project and Framework Display Preferences
  PowerDesigner display preferences allow you to customize the format of object symbols, and the information that is displayed on them.
• Project Checks
  You can check the validity of your project at any time by pressing F4, selecting Tools > Check Project, or right-clicking the diagram background, and selecting Check Project.