Working with System Boundaries

On a use case diagram you can create a system boundary to separate a system from external actors.

To create a system boundary:

1. On the Diagram toolbar, click the "System Boundary" button. The button stays highlighted.




2. Click the diagram.




3. Resize the system boundary by dragging the corner of the element to the desired size. The element grows or shrinks in the direction of the cursor.

Creating Use Case Elements within the System Boundary

Within a system boundary you can create use case elements.

To create use case elements within the system boundary:

1. On the Diagram toolbar, click the "Use Case" button. The button stays highlighted.




2. Click inside the system boundary.




3. Resize the use case by dragging the corner of the element to the desired size. The element grows or shrinks in the direction of the cursor.

Editing a System Boundary

Using the Properties view to edit a system boundary:

1. From the menubar, select Window > Show View > Properties.




2. Select the system boundary from either the UML Navigator or Diagram view.




3. Use the fields that appear in the Properties view to edit the element.

Renaming a System Boundary

Use either of the methods below to rename a system boundary.

Using in-place editing to rename a system boundary:

1. In the Diagram view, double click the system boundary name to enable in-place editing.




2. Type the new name.

Using the context menu to rename a system boundary:

1. Right click on the element in either the UML Navigator or Diagram view.




2. Select Rename from the context menu.




3. Type the new name




4. Click Ok.