Java Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 11
Graphical Modeling
Framework Tooling
This chapter covers each of the Graphical Modeling Framework (GMF) models in detail
and is intended to be used as an Application Programming Interface (API) reference and
usage guide. Each of the tooling models is described as exposed in the user interface
instead of than by strict Ecore representation, to provide a more usable reference section.
The GMF graphical definition model (
gmfgraph.ecore
) is designed to be
generic, although its constructs closely resemble that of the Graphical Editor
Framework (GEF) project. Conceivably, GMF could target alternative graphical
frameworks or technologies (such as Scalable Vector Graphics [SVG]), even
though today it targets only GEF.
You can think of the graphical definition model as having three “layers”:
First, figures define visual representations of diagram elements. Second, figure
descriptors and accessors reference figures in the first layer for use in the next.
Third, diagram elements are defined for use in the mapping model and can con-
tain element-specific layout information. These three layers provide flexibility in
the graphical definition model because reuse is allowed throughout. Figures can
be reused to construct other figures, figure descriptors can be used by multiple
diagram elements, and the same diagram element can be used in multiple
mappings.
Figure 11-1 illustrates the first two layers in the model. A
Figure
Descriptor
maintains a containment reference to a figure, which can be either
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