Mathematica: GOTCHA: If a function is used to generate a control specification (or a grouping of control specifications in a layout) under some circumstances an 'Evaluate@' must be applied to the function for the control specification to be accepted.
Webel: SysML4Mathematica: Activity Diagrams used purely for analysis and as development aids are not required to show every ControlFlow, may omit InitialNode and ActivityFinalNode, and are not required to fully validate in SysML tools or execute.
Mathematica: Webel ADT pseudo classes: Webel ADT-Methods support Wolfram Language Options[] as TagSetDelayed UpValues (but there are some pros and cons). Webel ADT-Methods work with the Webel HelpO` class/method registry, including rich help on options.
Mathematica: Webel ADT pseudo classes: «adt:ref» applied to a property indicates that it is resolved by ID through the ADT store using adt$fetch[id]. Use adt$store[adt] for very large ADTs and for cleaner ADT views and easier Notebook development.
Webel IT Australia prefers to use examples from real client projects but usually heavily obfuscates, masks, or randomises client-specific data. Educational examples do not expose client data without permission.
Webel: SysML4Mathematica (v2): The long term goal is generation of SysMLv2 models using the SysMLv2 modelling code (textual representation) and generation of SysMLv2 Diagrams directly in Mathematica, corresponding with the trend to generative diagramming.
Cameo Simulation Toolkit: HOWTO test an EnumerationLiteral value in a (Groovy) script in an OpaqueAction/Behavior. Use kind.name == "value"
SysMLv1: Webel often uses Model packages for most modelling and reserves Package for code-like elements, OpaqueBehavior sub-libraries, instances, and elements reverse-engineered from code. But there are no hard and fast rules about Package vs Model.
SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: GOTCHA: If you DRAG a Signal onto a Block symbol it will create a Reception. One way to create a Property typed by a Signal is to use a composite Association. Or just create an untyped Property then type it by the Signal.
SysMLv1: CAUTION: Only a Signal can be used for a SendSignalAction or MessageEvent trigger of an AcceptEventAction, not a Block or ValueType, even if they are valid types for a SysML FlowProperty! But you can "wrap" a Block or ValueType in a Signal.
ISSUE: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: v2024x: Although does not respect inheritance of attributes of Signals on SendSignalAction or un-marshalling AcceptEventAction DOES require them on 'effect' Behaviors.
SysMLv1: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: GOTCHA: Do not use Associations with Signal attributes, they will become null when fed as argument values for Parameters of 'effect' Behaviors of Transitions
SysMLv1/UML2: Whilst fUML does not support InterruptibleActivityRegion, there are still ways to interrupt a StructuredActivityNode in Cameo Simulation Toolkit
SysMLv1.7/fUMLv1.4: Cameo Simulation Toolkit v2024x: Using an extending Enumeration literal as a parameter argument value runs but a WARN is issued.
SysMLv1: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: 2024x: GOTCHA: SendSignalAction: Nested Ports won't appear in the selection dialog for 'onPort' (or work for Drag n' Drop) unless «InvocationOnNestedPortAction» has been applied (they are filtered out).
ISSUE: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: v2024x: Does not show argument Pins corresponding to inherited attributes of Signal on SendSignalAction or an un-marshalling AcceptEventAction. No known UML2.5.1 or fUML-1.4 constraint; no obvious tool display option.
Cameo Simulation Toolkit includes a (basic) TimeEvent, but fUML-1.3/1.4 does not. There are many different supported time units for duration constraints, and you can also use property values in durations.
fUML1.4: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: LIMITATION: CreateObjectAction is not allowed to instantiate a UML DataType or a SysMLValueType, only a Class as the CreateObjectAction::classifier! WORKAROUND: Use a ValueSpecificationAction instead with an instance.
TIP: SysMLv1/UML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: HOWTO convert an fUML ReadLine CLI String to a Boolean for cleaner DecisionNode tests against a LiteralBoolean [true] guard.
TIP/GOTCHA: SysMLv1/fUML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: If you have a ControlFlow loop with a DecisionNode test you MUST have a MergeNode for the continuation path ControlFlow (typically entered also from an InitialNode or other loop starting point).
TIP/GOTCHA: SysMLv1/UML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit: If you use a «decisionInputFlow» to a DecisionNode you MUST also have a ControlFlow to the DecisionNode; if you don't use an explicit «decisionInputFlow» you don't need the "extra" ControlFlow
Dr Darren's strategies for effectively introducing SysML for MBSE on your projects and the importance of extracting incremental benefit from the powerful SysML language and MBSE tools
GOTCHA: MagicDraw/Cameo: SysMLv1/UML: The argument context required to see results in Evaluation Mode for custom OpaqueBehavior scripts might not be the same as required for use in an Operation From Model for a Derived Property on a table column
GOTCHA: MagicDraw/Cameo: SysMLv1/UML: If you can extract model info using an OpaqueBehavior and you can see that in the Evaluation Mode in the Expression Editor it might not appear in a column in the Generic Table Diagram because the final Type is not set
GOTCHA: MagicDraw/Cameo: SysMLv1/UML: The 'name' of a Derived Property is parsed and sometimes displayed quite differently in column names. Be careful when mixing lower case and UPPER CASE in the middle of Derived Property names.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Webel IT Australia is developing an Online Subscription Video Tutorial Series version of our hands-on course for MBSE with SysML(v1) with Cameo Systems Modeler tool videos and OMG SysML-language only videos. Register your interest now!
Webel: SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: CON: Using anonymous property and/or action names is not ideal for Element Compartment and Note callout displays when Usage level allocation is used. But allocation table and matrix views are better anyway.
SysML: Syntax ain't Semantics: FUN CHALLENGE: SysMLv1 block property aggregation: 'The tornado chaser plane "has" a chaser car "with" a chaser team.'
The Webel recipe for pragramatic SE with SysML adopts the MagicDraw/Cameo tool friendly approach of using a SystemContext as 'subject' of top-level UseCases (although using a System as 'subject' can also be used).
Webel: SysML: SE: Terminology: '«logical» handler' is used for a specific kind of «logical» subsystem (aka 'conceptual subsystem') that is a SPECIFIC collaboration of parts that handle one Activity usage in a higher level «whitebox» Activity.
HOWTO "cheat" with two-level white-boxing and tracking stereotypes because you just don't want that darn "extra" logical subsystem (conceptual subsystem) Block the systems engineers reckon you are supposed to use (and why it's easier to actually use one)
Webel IT's summaries of MagicGrid® for SysML/MBSE with Cameo are offered for the interest of MagicGrid users for informative and educational purposes only. They are not recommendations to use (or not use) MagicGrid, and are not officially endorsed.
SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: Oh no, I lost my part or reference property? Where did it go? The Symbol Properties option for 'Show Association ends as Attributes' may help you find it!
SysMLv1: A part Property or reference Property is not necessarily a 'memberEnd' or 'ownedEnd' of an Association ('association' or 'owningAssociation'). But an Association always as at least 2 'memberEnd' Properties. (With some MagicDraw/Cameo tool tips.)
Webel: SysMLv1: Overview of annotated Diagram Slides and Note pages related to general high level SysML modelling principles (some specific to MagicDraw/Cameo). Recommended reading for all Webel SysML/MBSE course attendees.
Webel: SysMLv1: Overview of annotated Diagram Slides and Note pages related to UseCases and their combination with a System (of interest), SystemContext, and drill-down to scenario Sequence Diagrams (Interactions) and Activity Diagrams.
SysMLv1: A common misunderstanding: Just because a UseCase symbol appears inside the rectangle of a subject Classifier does NOT mean that it is owned by that Classifier and can only have that one Classifier as 'subject', and it does not imply ownership!
SysML: Cameo/MagicDraw: ItemFlow notation/indication on ObjectFlow edges in SysML Activity Diagrams is a tool-specific feature, although it was proposed and discussed (but DEFERRED) as part of the OMG SysMLv1 Revision Task Force (RTF).
SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: Having a SystemContext as the 'subject' of each main UseCase plays nicely with the feature for automated creation of usage-level allocation swimlanes in SysML Activity Diagrams for part properties. But it's not the only way.
SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: Synchronising ItemFlows on Connectors with ObjectFlows in Activities using the Item Flow Manager. Nice!
SysMLv1: An ItemFlow without an assigned 'itemProperty' is sometimes informally/casually referred to as an "information flow", especially when applied to an Association (because it is much like a UML InformationFlow), but formally it is a SysML ItemFlow.
SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: INTRINSIC GOTCHA: Care must be taken with ownership of Activities used as UseCase scenarios vs the ‘subject’ of the UseCase. Make sure you don’t get an Activity ‘context’ mismatch! It's up to you to manage it as intended.
SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: Automated creation of usage-level allocation swimlanes in SysML Activity Diagrams for part properties of a Block. EXAMPLE: A UseCase scenario within a SystemContext as UseCase ‘subject’.
SysML/MBSE: Many videos, tutorial slides, and guides to MBSE with SysML present particular modelling recipes as though they are THE way to do something in SysML, not just ONE way of doing it in SysML. They are not necessarily enforced by the SysML spec.
SysMLv1: UseCase scenario representations: On use of Activity Diagrams with swimlanes and/or Sequence Diagrams (Interactions): Actor or block-based custom «actor» on 1st (typically left) Lifeline/Swimlane, System/Subsystem on 2nd Lifeline/Swimlane
Mathematica: GOTCHA: The Problems Analysis review system of Mathematica Plugin for IntelliJ IDEA reports a declared Module variable used as a Table loop variable as an "Used local variable". DO NOT SIMPLY DELETE IT!
Mathematica: Webel: A concise i:/o: notation is often used for indicating input/output cells in Mathematica notebooks in Webel's online help pages and tutorials, instead of 'In[n]:=' and 'Out[n]='. (Also learn how to hide them completely in notebooks.)
Mathematica: Webel ADT: The term 'Abstract Data Types (ADT)' is used informally (the Webel ADTs do not always adhere to strict definitions of ADTs). Please just think of it here as meaning a strong type or stateless "pseudo class".
Mathematica: Webel: You get compelling incremental value out of Mathematica even if you don't yet command all of the syntax and massive powers of the Wolfram Language!
Webel on Mathematica and the Wolfram Language vs Python. Python is not even close, not even vaguely close, it's not in the same league, as the Wolfram Language and Mathematica!
Mathematica: GOTCHA: The Module/With system (especially under rewriting when nested) can leave variables with a trailing '$' suffix, which may cause name clashes because the variables (expressions) are available later outside the scope of the Module/With!
TIP: Mathematica: Webel's ultimate guide to using Abstract Data Types to create "pseudo classes" (strong types) with inheritance for the Wolfram Language, all modelled in SysML!
Mathematica: The output form of Mathematica follows internal rules that may not always correspond exactly to how a human might typeset it.
Webel: Psy/MPsy: Psychrometrics for Mathematica: Variable/quantity registry and naming conventions, with symbol markup.
Webel: SysML/UML: Some example diagrams show extremely fine-grained and trivial examples purely for educational and capability demonstration purposes (not as practical recommendations for real-world projects). You can sometimes just use code in SysML.
SysMLv1.x: Limitation: The 'body' (maths formula) of an OpaqueBehavior can't be synchronised (shared) with the 'constraint' of a ConstraintBlock (directly in the SysML model). Can lead to a WET (not DRY) model and breaks Single Source of Truth!
SysML: Cameo Systems Modeler: A ValueType that does not extend Real might not always simulate correctly when used to type a constraint parameter of a ConstraintBlock (in a SysML Parametric Diagram) or to type a parameter (in a SysML Activity Diagram)!
SysML1.x: MagicDraw/Cameo: The nested property path concept is implemented using a vendor-specific stereotype extension NestedPropertyPath
SysML1.x: MagicDraw/Cameo: The value property concept is implemented using a vendor-specific stereotype extension ValueProperty
SysML1.x: MagicDraw/Cameo: The shared property concept is implemented using a vendor-specific stereotype extension SharedProperty
SysML1.x: MagicDraw/Cameo: The reference property concept is implemented using a vendor-specific stereotype extension ReferenceProperty
SysML1.x: MagicDraw/Cameo: The part property concept is implemented using a vendor-specific stereotype extension PartProperty
SysML1.x: MagicDraw/Cameo: The block property concept is implemented using a vendor-specific stereotype extension BlockProperty
SysML1.x: MagicDraw/Cameo: The constraint parameter concept is implemented using a vendor-specific stereotype extension ConstraintParameter
SysML1.x: MagicDraw/Cameo: The constraint property concept is (was) implemented using a vendor-specific stereotype extension ConstraintProperty [VENDOR-DEPRECATED]
Psychrometrics: The volumetric flow rate of a humid air mixture MAY change between a State1 and State2 (but the mass flow rate of dry air does not under steady state)! This is sometimes "glossed over" in some online calculators and less formal guides.
CoolProp: Mathematica wrapper: Psychrometrics (humid air): When obtaining the dew point temperature 'Tdp' at the pressure 'P', humidity ratio 'W', and dry bulb temperature 'Tdb', the 'Tdb' value will be "ignored" but MUST be within a sensible range!
Webel: Psy/MPsy: Psychrometrics for Mathematica: The CoolProp "wrappers" of the Psy library in fact wrap lower-level wrappers (bindings) for CoolProp for Mathematica
ISSUE/GOTCHA: MagicDraw/Cameo v2022x: UML/SysML: If you "rename" an ActivityParameterNode symbol on the frame of an Activity Diagram it actually renames the underlying Parameter (only) NOT the name of the ActivityParameterNode element!
SysML/UML: MagicDraw/Cameo: The name of an ActivityParameterNode does not always stay in synch with its Parameter (and it is not always desirable that it does).
SysML/UML: MagicDraw/Cameo: Activity Diagrams: All Pins of CallBehaviorActions and CallOperationActions MUST be displayed (synchronised). All ActivityParameterNodes MUST be shown on the frame of an Activity Diagram.
Webel: Psy/MPsy: Psychrometrics for Mathematica: The default MPsy class is a readonly one-shot class that pre-builds many frequently used psychrometric properties (offered as public fields) using CoolProp, and also offers some value-adding methods.
Webel: SysML4Mathematica: Cameo Systems Modeler: Can perform calculations with a custom Quantity ValueType (for Mathematica) directly, but DOES NOT perform units-aware algebra (no automatic conversions)
Webel: Psy/MPsy: Psychrometrics for Mathematica: Most CoolProp wrappers can be invoked with the dry bulb temperature 'tdb', the pressure 'p', and one (only) of the relative humidity 'r', the humidity ratio 'w', or the wet bulb temperature 'twb'
GOTCHA: Mathematica v13.2+: Operations on "DegreesFahrenheit" °F and "DegreesCelsius" °C are now performed using Kelvins (K). CASE: Naive percentage operation gives answer relative to Kelvins. Use "DegreesCelsiusDifference"/"DegreesFahrenheitDifference"!
In the course PDF for 'CED Engineering: Air Conditioning Psychrometrics (A.Bhatia)' the term "enthalpy (h)" usually refers to the mass-specific enthalpy per dry air (in CoolProp notation 'Hda')
GOTCHA: Mathematica: Specific enthalpy conversion J/kg to Btu/lb: Does not consider a possible "total" enthalpy reference offset vs 0 °C or 0 °F respectively
[FIXED in v2022Refresh1]: BUG: MagicDraw/Cameo: 19SP3/v2022xGolden: Activity Diagrams: Pin display mode 'Position of Labels' does not stick, label positions in Diagrams have sometimes moved after re-opening a project [and "FIX"] ARCHIVAL (2022): This content is now considered historical only!
Webel: On going beyond SysML (and UML) with additional modelling practices, policies, and additional semantics
MagicDraw SysML: [v2022xGolden,v2022xRefresh1]: ISSUE: Automatic assignment of the Type of the 'result' of a ReadStructuralFeatureAction not working with drag & drop.
The integration between Wolfram Workbench and Mathematica is partly gammy (as of latest versions 2022-08-23)
Mathematica: ISSUE with all Entity operations on MMAv13.0.0.0 vs macOS Monterey 12.3 or 12.4 ["solved" by upgrade to MMA 13.1.0.0]
MagicDraw/Cameo: 2022xGolden: TIP/GOTCHA: Mac: HOWTO Load the available plugins in the Resource/Plugin Manager
CoolProp: Mathematica: Mac: HOWTO get CoolProp for Mathematica running on Apple M1 Max and Mathematica13
Mathematica: Use of UnitConvert (or even just multiplication or division by a unit Quantity) MASSIVELY slows the calculations down!
CoolProp: HOWTO reproduce a pressure vs specific enthalpy chart in Mathematica. Example: R32 refrigerant.
Mathematica: MTools: Argument Pattern strong type matching does not intrinsically respect inheritance (makes implementing design-by-contract and some Design Patterns less convenient). But you can use PatternTests with Webel MAll extensions.
Mathematica: Wolfram Workbench: Sometimes the Outline view gets completely out of sync with the .m or .wl Package code
Mathematica: TIP: Try //Dataset on just about anything and be amazed! Click on nearly anything to navigate through nearly anything in impressively interactive human-readable format.
Mathematica: How mimic pattern matching of arguments for pseudo "Boolean" (including providing a default)?
Mathematica: TIPS for living with the user-contributed MTools for Object-Orientation (until a vendor-supported OO solution is eventually provided)
Wolfram Workbench for Mathematica: Limitation: Using more than one '$' sign within function names blocks navigation on function usages.
Mathematica: TIP: How to change a value within an Association inline within a Module (like pass by reference)
GOTCHA/BUG: Cameo Simulation Toolkit v2021xR1 + Mathematica: Delegation to Mathematica from ConstraintBlocks FAILS if any of the input or output parameters are larger than 99999 because they get interpreted as 1.0e5 and that trips something! Aarrrggggh!
Cameo Simulation Toolkit: v19SP3: GOTCHA/BUG: When a Property is typed by an abstract Block an instance of a concrete specialising Block (where available) will automatically be created and assigned even when the lower multiplicity is 0
MagicDraw/Cameo 19SP3/v2022xGolden: [FIXED in v2022xRefresh1]: Activity Diagrams: Pin display mode 'Position of Labels' does not work correctly for 'Name And Type Labels Inside', only shows the Name inside (not the Label) [and WORKAROUND] ARCHIVAL (2022): This content is now considered historical only!
Cameo Simulation Toolkit: You can assign the results of simulations calculations on instances to the default values of properties of the Classes/Blocks that type the instance.
UML/SysML: MagicDraw/Cameo: 19SP3: Instance Table Diagram sometimes does not display the values for nested value properties
UML/SysML: MagicDraw/Cameo: Instance Table Diagrams are one of the most powerful features of MagicDraw/Cameo! Learn to use them to progressively test, debug, and evolve your models as you work!
UML/SysML: MagicDraw/Cameo 19SP3: GOTCHA/TIP: An Instance Table will not display a row for instances typed by an abstract Class/Block (although one can show such instances as InstanceSpecification symbols on a Class Diagram or Block Definition Diagram)
UML/SysML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit 19SP3: GOTCHA/TIP: ConstraintBlock constraints: Not every available constraint language can handle Enumeration literals (if in doubt choose 'English')
MagicDraw/Cameo: 19SP3: Although a 0..* or 1..* Property can carry more than one value, the interface only permits assignment of a single Property::defaultValue through the specification dialog
UML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit 19SP3: GOTCHA: CreateObjectAction ignores an Artifact as 'classifier' even though Artifact is a Classifier
GOTCHA: UML/SysML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit 19SP3: A [true] or [false] guard on an ActivityEdge MUST be a LiteralBoolean, not just characters typed in, or the evaluation may give unexpected or ill-defined results
UML/SysML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit 19SP3: A parent Activity with a DecisionNode that uses a Activity as a decisionInput Behavior terminates immediately after the decisionInput terminates (but OpaqueBehavior works)
UML/SysML: Cameo Simulation Toolkit 19SP3: GOTCHA: Will not evaluate a guard using a token from a decisionInputFlow UNLESS a decisionInput Behaviour is explicitly defined (but Alf does)
MagicDraw/Cameo: Rule: Internal Block Diagram and Block structure compartment: only one symbol for a given Property may be shown.
MagicDraw/Cameo: Display option: You can choose whether to show Domain Specific Language (DSL) stereotypes: 'None', 'All', 'Only Last'
Webel Parsing Analysis: MagicDraw/Cameo: SysML1.6+: ElementGroup-based Snippets do not list in the compartment of Package/Model symbols because ElementGroup is based on the UML Comment, which does not list in Package/Model symbols.
Webel Parsing Analysis: An "index" Parsing Analysis Diagram (PAD) showing a collection of Snippets may optionally (but need not always) show the /member tagged value of each Snippet.
The SysML1.6 derived /tracedTo is only available on AbstractRequirement (but in MagicDraw/Cameo you can use derived relationships to achieve the same thing on other kinds of NamedElement).
The SysML Trace relationship can be used as a quick way to traceably elicit model elements from an identified diagram or table from a domain source document. You may visually remove the Trace symbols as each element is elicited to reduce clutter.
The UML «Trace» and SysML Trace can't be applied to a Slot as target (because Slot is just an Element, not a NamedElement).
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: The display of units can't be disabled on the initialValues compartment for context-specific values, which can lead to inconsistencies when an OpaqueExpression that references value property names is used.
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: UML/SysML: HOWTO Set an OpaqueExpression on a Slot that seems to be stuck on a numerical value.
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: vs SysPhS-1.1: OpaqueExpression for Slot value exports to Modelica as 'null' if only uses a single variable. WORKAROUND/HACK prefix the variable with '1 *' [FIXED in v2021x]
SysMLv2: On the v2 Comment extension of the v2 AnnotatingElement as a candidate Parsing Analysis Container
SysMLv1.x: Q: Why can't a Package with PackageImports be used as a Parsing Analysis text container? Why is the SysML1.6 ElementGroup (extended and customised as the Webel «snippet») far better suited for text-driven model element elicitation?
SysPhS vs Modelica: If you redeclare a PhSConstant (Modelica parameter) as a PhSVariable (Modelica variable) Modelica still treats it as a 'parameter'. You can end up with an unbalanced system with one equation too many!
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: vs SysPhS-1.1: Modelica export: Direct binding from a PhSVariable value property within a FlowProperty of a Port to an inner value property does not flatten. WORKAROUND: Use an intermediate constraint property.
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: Does not support display of context-specific values on a FlowProperty symbol within a Port in an IBD
SysML vs Modelica: GOTCHA: Terminology: A 'connector' in Modelica is equivalent to the Type of a Port in SysML. A Connector in SysML-1.x is equivalent to a 'connect(source,target)' in Modelica.
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3+SysPhS-1.1: On export to Modelica sometimes repeats parts of an equation into an extending model.
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3+SysPhS-1.1: Does not cleanly export INLINE Modelica 'if/then/else' statements (a.k.a. "switching" form)
SysPhS: MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: Export to Modelica does not interpret as 'start' the default on a PhSVariable assigned via ElementValue to a PhSConstant
MagicDraw/Cameo: GOTCHA: When applying a numerical default to a value property make sure the value property has already been typed by Real or Integer (or a ValueType that extends one of them) otherwise it will assign a LiteralString as default.
SysPhSLibrary and ISO-80000 ModelLibrary: Some ValueType names and Unit symbols are not Modelica-friendly
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: SysPhS: If you have a custom ValueType it MUST extend Real either directly or indirectly or it will not be seen on export to Modelica.
SysPhS-1.1: Does not support Modelica's 'initial equation'. WORKAROUND: One can often achieve the same by directly setting a default on a variable and/or by using additional variables/parameters with 'start' and additional equations.
SysML: Naming: You may include Block, ValueType, and Signal names in the names of Behaviors (such as Activities) as long as this does not undermine the principles of functional analysis and allocation.
SysML: Naming: Including Block, ValueType, and Signal names in the names of Behaviors (such as Activities) can sometimes undermine purist functional allocation (because it may presuppose the element of the physical solution that carries out the function).
Cameo Simulation Toolkit v19SP3: The "hover" feature for showing values of objects may show duplicates if there are redefined value properties.
Cameo Simulation Toolkit: Before you run a simulation consider enabling Auto Open Diagrams under Environment Options -> Simulation. Alternatively, consider using split horizontal or vertical window groups (if there are only a few relevant diagrams).
MagicDraw SysML/Cameo: If you have a SINGLE Allocate from an Activity to a Block it will set that Block to be the Behavior::/context for that Activity.
SysML: Flows: If you use a Signal to type the itemProperty of an ItemFlow on a Connector, care must be take in how you create the Property or you might get an unwanted signal Reception on the owning context Block.
SysML: Whether you use a Block, ValueType, or Signal to represent something that flows (and can be applied to an ItemFlow) depends on what you want to achieve. If you want to indicate something structured with value properties with Units use a Block.
MagicDraw SysML/Cameo has a nice feature 'Tools > Delegate Port(s)' accessible from the context menu for splitting Connectors that cross block boundaries into multiple Connectors with "exporting" Ports.
Additional Dependency relationships between ValueTypes and their Units on some SysML diagrams on this site are for educational illustration only (you don't need them in your own SysML models).
MagicDraw/Cameo: SysML Parametrics: To colour instance table cells to indicate broken constraints you need to create at least one Simulation Configuration Diagram, which loads a validation profile with colour coding rules.
SysPhS-1.1 vs Modelica: On export the SysPhS signal flow Port types are flattened to remove the FlowProperty (rSig, iSig, or bSig). In the exported Modelica code you'll only ever see the Port names.
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3 vs SysML&SysPhS: Export to Modelica: The exported layout annotations appear to be completely broken (at least vs Wolfram SystemModeler) just de-select generation of them on export.
GOTCHA: MagicDraw SysML/Cameo 19SP3: Export to Modelica: The name of a redefining Property must be exactly the same as the Property it redefines or it will not export properly!
Wolfram SystemModeler: On Mac the Unit Conversions dialog is under SystemModeler -> Preferences -> Global -> Unit Conversion (rather than under Tools -> Options)
Wolfram SystemModeler: GOTCHA: The conversion dialog will not offer the Add Unit Conversion button unless there is not already an existing conversion in BOTH directions.
SysML/SysPhS-1.1: Anonymous Property or Action names may not be an option if: You are exporting to Modelica or Simulink; You absolutely need names for generated query reports (such as generated Interface Control Documents).
MagicDraw/Cameo: Display options: On an 'entry', 'doActivity', or 'exit' Behavior of a State you may choose to display the specification code of an OpaqueBehavior or just its name.
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3 vs SysML&SysPhS: GOTCHA: Will NOT correctly export a SysML-1.6 «~interfaceBlock» to Modelica (but does cope with a tilde ~ prefix in the name of a plain InterfaceBlock)
MagicDraw/Cameo vs SysML&SysPhS: GOTCHA: Will NOT export a non-normative System «system» block to Modelica, it only recognises a plain Block «block»!
MagicDraw/Cameo: You can drag a Class symbol onto a Class symbol (in a Class Diagram) or a Block symbol or ValueType symbol onto or Block symbol (in a Block Definition Diagram) to create a new part property or value property
MagicDraw/Cameo: You can drag out a Property (or Port) from a Class or Block symbol to create an Association with the Property (or Port) as one end
There is no «port» stereotype keyword for Port or Property in UML-2.5.1 or SysML-1.6. It is assumed to be introduced in some SysML and SysPhS specification diagrams as a custom or user-defined stereotype for special illustration purposes.
MagicDraw/SysML vs SysPhS-1.1: Can't reproduce the "shortcut" property path representation of some properties nested within Ports as shortcut symbols fully inside the diagram frame. (Might be a specification diagram style issue.)
SysPhS-1.1: p.38: 10.9.4 Modelica modeling, signal flow: Suggest kick start Spring with something like 'position=5' (otherwise get flat line when run).
SysPhS-1.1: p.38: 10.9.4 Modelica modeling, signal flow: Modelica code: the equation 'der(velocity)=(u-springcst*position)/m;' should use variable 'mass' not 'm'
Modelica: Naming convention: Why does the OnePort family of electrical components have 2 Pins? Where is the "one port"?
SysPhS: MagicDraw/Cameo: In the sysphs_profile the properties for PhSVariable have multiplicity [1], so the defaults always appear explicitly (but may be overridden): isContinuous: Boolean = true, isConserved: Boolean = false, changeCycle: Real = 0
SysPhS-1.1: p.47: 10.12.2 SysML modeling: The states StandBy and On in 'Figure 29: State machine in SysML' should probably use 'entry' not 'doActivity'.
SysPhS-1.1: p.47: 10.12.2 SysML modeling: References to 'u.sigsp' and 'y.usigsp' should be 'u.rSig' and 'y.rSig'.
SysPhS-1.1: p.47: 10.12.2 SysML modeling: TYPO: Incorrect spelling of RealInSignalElement (should be RealSignalInElement) and RealOutSignalElement (should be RealSignalOutElement)
SysPhS-1.1: 10.12.2 SysML modeling: p.47, p.48: References to .sig and .rsig in 'Figure 29: State machine in SysML' and Modelica code example should be .rSig
SysPhS-1.1: 10.12.2 SysML modeling: p.47: Name of StateMachine in 'Figure 29: State machine in SysML' should be ComputerSM (not Computer) for consistency with the Modelica code example
SysML: Although not encouraged, you can still use a DataType to type a Property of a Block, it just won't be listed in the 'values' compartment. Prefer the SysML ValueType versions of primitives!
SysPhS-1.1: p.44: 10.10.3 Modelica modeling: Reference to 'The following Modelica code corresponds to Figure 15' should probably be 'to Figure 27'.
SysPhS-1.1: p.41: 10.9.8 Modelica modeling, physical interaction: Reference to 'the bindings in Figure 14' should probably be 'the bindings in Figure 26'.
SysML-1.6: p.43: 8.3.1.2.1 Property types 'Four general categories of properties of blocks are recognized in SysML ...' does not cover FlowProperty
SysML-16: Taken literally the text and OCL of constraint 'Block::6_valueproperties_composite' imply that every FlowProperty typed by a ValueType should have AggregationKind 'composite'
MDSysML19SP3: Validation engine does not report value properties with AggregationKind other than composite
SysPhS-1.1: Typos: Numerous references to 'rsig' lower case should be 'rSig' (including Figure 25 and Figure 29)
SysPhS-1.1: p.38: 10.9.4 Modelica modeling, signal flow: Modelica code: the keyword should be 'equation' not 'equations'.
SysPhS-1.1: p.38: 10.9.4 Modelica modeling, signal flow: Example Modelica model should be for SpringMassSys not Spring
SysPhS-1.1: [TRIVIAL] p.11: If property 'm:Mass' is named then ':Ground' should also be named for consistency in 'Figure 2: Association block with internal structure and connector properties in SysML'
SysPhS-1.1: p.28: 10.6.3 Modelica modeling: An assigned value “...” is shown for v3 in the Modelica code but none is shown in the SysML model in 'Figure 21: PhSVariables and PhSConstant in SysML' (and “...” is not compatible with Real).
MagicDraw SysML/Cameo: 19SP3: Does not seem to support export to Modelica from a Package [use a SysML Block as root instead]
MagicDraw SysML/Cameo: SysPhS: Export to Modelica: It does not seem to matter whether you give the language of Constraints as 'Modelica' or 'sysphs' (although SysPhS specifies a restricted SysPhS expression grammar)
MagicDraw SysML/Cameo: GOTCHA: Export to Modelica only includes owned Constraints (not just applied Constraints) under the 'equation' export
MagicDraw SysML/Cameo: GOTCHA: A Constraint created and applied to a ConstraintBlock via the sidebar menu is NOT owned by the ConstraintBlock!
SysPhS-1.1: p.32: 10.7.8 Modelica modeling, physical interaction: Type Real for 'f' and 'lV' in example Modelica code for Spring do not correspond to 'Figure 23: Ports for physical interaction in SysML', should be Force and Velocity.
SysPhS-1.1: p.30: 10.7.4 Modelica modeling, signal flow: Example Modelica code for Spring corresponding to 'Figure 22: Ports for signal flow in SysML' is invalid [should probably be 'input Real u;' and 'output Real y;' not 'in ...' and 'out ...']
MagicDraw SysML/Cameo: 19SP3: Export to Modelica from TestBed (for SignalProcessor) sample does not validate in Wolfram SystemModeler
MagicDraw SysML/Cameo: 19SP3: Export to Modelica from SysPhS sample for HumidifierSystem does not execute in Wolfram SystemModeler Simulation Centre
UML/SysML: During modelling it can really help to create little instance (object) diagrams as you go! This can also help communicate with non-SysML stakeholders.
UML/SysML: When you use an AddStructuralFeatureValueAction to set one end of a bi-directional Association it also sets the other end.
WARNING: In natural language casual conversation one often hears people speaking of a digital twin "replicating" or "twinning" a physical entity. If you do it that way literally, you will NOT have anything to manage the control system loop!
[HISTORICAL] SysML: Some users employed the ~ tilde prefix for a conjugated Port type long before it was introduced for ~InterfaceBlock and you MAY use it to name a regular Block that is not an ~InterfaceBlock ARCHIVAL (2022): This content is now considered historical only!
SysML does NOT distinguish between 'assembly' and 'delegation' Connector kinds (because of its more complex support for nested ports). These Connector type classifications are only relevant in UML.
BUG: Cameo Simulation Toolkit 19SP3: StateMachine: Crashes with an irrelevant "memory error" report if you fire a signal Trigger during execution of an 'entry' Activity with a timer
UML-2.5.1 does NOT permit a trigger or guard on a Transition from an initial pseudostate in a StateMachine but Cameo/MagicDraw does (please avoid).
UML/SysML: When sending a Signal (message) via a Port the 'target' is the owner of the Port through which the message will be sent, it is NOT the final recipient! So the 'target' is essentially the "sender"!
One of the most important reasons to use a Port to send a Signal is that only the connection context, not the sender, knows the ultimate recipient (at the end of a specific Connector).
Cameo: You can create a Simulation Configuration element in a Simulation Configuration Diagram (and you may then copy it to a BDD or Package Diagram if desired).
MDSysML/Cameo: Unless a custom ValueType is otherwise specified through specialisation it is behaves like a Real for the purposes of data entry for value properties typed by that ValueType
In Webel Parsing Analysis tutorials, Wikipedia pages are often used as a placeholder sources to represent authoritative domain source documents from which text extract "snippets" are sourced, and from which SysML model elements are traceably elicited.
In professional applications of the Webel Parsing Analysis recipe for SysML, a robust reusable profile for «part»/«assembly»/«leaf» components is used, along with stereotypes keywords like «assembles» for indicating physical composition hierarchies.
In the Webel recipe for UML/SysML, the pattern of progressive redefinition of end Properties of Associations between progressively more specialised pairs of Blocks at the same level of abstraction is informally called a "redefinition ladder"
The markup of Snippet page titles on this CMS web site is sometimes restricted (especially concerning subscripts and superscripts such as used in mathematical and scientific notation). Visit the linked Snippet page for the quote with full markup.
One limit of the SysML-1.6 ElementGroup for use as a Snippet in the v1.x version of Webel Parsing Analysis for SysML is that an ElementGroup is not directly relatable.
GOTCHA: Cameo: If you run a parametrics calculation from an instance symbol in a diagram it will just show computed values in the simulation window; if you run from an Instance Table diagram it will populate the instance Slots with the computed values.
MagicDraw/Cameo: HOWTO share a "Block-to-Block" ItemFlow - that was created by 'Between Part Types' mode - between two Connectors. (FYI only, not a Webel-recommended technique.)
SysMLv1: MagicDraw/Cameo: If redisplay of an Association with an InformationFlow or ItemFlow creates a strange extra dashed line with «ItemFlow» keywords (separate from the Association) just remove (only) that extra dashed line from the diagram.
MagicDraw/Cameo: You can control how or whether applied Sterotypes are displayed on most Element symbols using the 'Show Stereotypes' display option (and in some cases this affects how the entire symbol is displayed).
MagicDraw/Cameo: You can assign values to 'tagged values' of Stereotypes via the Tags section in the specification dialog. Make sure you have one of the 'On Shape' or 'In Compartment' Show Tagged Values display options enabled.
MagicDraw/Cameo: You can assign or un-assign one or more Stereotypes to one or more selected Elements at once using the 'Stereotype' context menu item
MagicDraw/Cameo: You can drag-n-drop most applicable Stereotype types from the model browser onto an Element's symbol in a Diagram to apply it to that Element (does not work in all cases).
MagicDraw/Cameo: You and can drag-n-drop the icon for most Diagram types from the model browser onto a symbol in a Diagram to make it the default hyperlink for that Element; clicking on that Element symbol will then open up that Diagram.
MagicDraw/Cameo: You and can choose which Features, element properties, or tagged values of Stereotypes to show on most symbol compartment types
In a SysML Activity Diagram a control flow may be notated with a dashed line and stick arrowhead; this helps distinguish a ControlFlow from an ObjectFlow symbol.
MagicDraw/Cameo: GOTCHA: ‘entry’, ‘exit’, ‘doActivity’ are all subsets of ‘ownedElement’; to use an existing Activity without changing its owner you need to create a “wrapper” Activity. Beware the tool does not simply move your Activity!
The ActivityEdge, Transition, and Connector metaclasses do not extend (directly or indirectly) the Relationship metaclass (although the notations for them do indicate a kind of "relationship").
While SysML does not officially include the UML Profile Diagram, in practice in the MagicDraw/Cameo tool it is often used (rather than a Package Diagram) to afford access to all profile element menus and to make it clear that it involves profile elements.
MagicDraw/Cameo: The context menu item 'Tools > Define Context-Specific Value' will only ever be available in an Internal Block Diagram on a part property symbol typed by a Block that has a value property!
MagicDraw/Cameo: The context menu item 'Tools > Define Context-Specific Value' will only be available UNTIL you have assigned one! Thereafter it does not appear anymore because the tool will have already created a tree of instances to carry the values.
MagicDraw/Cameo: For context-specific values you do not have to deal with fiddly instances, you can edit the values directly in the 'initialValues' compartment! Enable 'Tools > Define Context Specific Initial Value' on a part whose Block has a value.
MagicDraw/Cameo: The ordering of feature in a SysML IBD :features compartment may differ from that in its defining Block (and there are no corresponding display options for controlling sorting).
MagicDraw/Cameo: BUG: Sometimes the 'Show Inherited' display feature does not work immediately on Class and Block compartments or SysML IBD :features compartments unless you toggle a compartment (close then re-open it).
MagicDraw/Cameo v19SP3: The SysML 'properties' compartment of a ValueType is called 'attributes' like in UML2.5.1 for DataTypes [CLAIMED FIXED in v2021x]
QUDV in SysML refers to: Quantity, Unit, Dimension, Value. It is strongly influenced by the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM).
MagicDraw/Cameo has many tool-specific Stereotype icons, most of which can be hidden in most diagrams using Stereotype and icon display options.
MagicDraw/Cameo: If you want to show a Property or Port listed both in its corresponding compartment on a Class or Block symbol and as the end of an Association in the same diagram, set the display option Show Association Ends As Attributes/Ports to 'all'
MagicDraw/Cameo: Does not show the “structure” label at the top of an internal structure compartment.
MagicDraw/Cameo: You can set many fields in an Element's specification dialog just by dragging compatible elements from the model browser onto the value area of the field.
Webel Parsing Analysis (with strict traceability of all elicited model elements) can be used side-by-side with "freestyle" modelling with incremental benefit the more it is used.
Webel Parsing Analysis is a "meta-process" that can be applied to general domain source documents to elicit Requirements (and related model elements) or to a Requirements Specification itself as a special case of a domain source document!
The UML Artifact and its UML standard profile extensions such as «document» Document and «file» File are NOT included in UML4SysML.
An ElementGroup comment symbol may appear on more than one diagram type and may collect different kinds of anchored annotatedElement members from more than diagram.
In MagicDraw/Cameo the dashed line symbol from a UML Comment or SysMLv1.x ElementGroup to an annotatedElement is called an 'anchor'.
The grouping of member elements by an ElementGroup is denoted here "logical" in the sense that it does not "steal ownership" of member elements (as opposed to "physical" ownership of elements in the model)
The Webel Parsing Analysis recipe for SysML1.x does not use the ElementGroup directly, it extends it as a user-defined Snippet stereotype with keyword «snippet» and with MagicDraw Customization.
Webel use editorial Sterotypes prefixed with ! and ? in and in CAPS in keywords such as: «!». «?», «!ERROR», «!ISSUE», «!CAUTION», «!WARNING», «!CAVEAT», etc.
MagicDraw/Cameo: You can easily find all elements a Stereotype has been applied to using Edit > Find OR via a Generic Table Diagram with the Stereotype as the 'Element type' (with or without sub-types).
[HISTORICAL] MagicDraw/Cameo 19SP3: Does NOT yet support ~InterfaceBlock [NOW SUPPORTED in 2024x Golden] ARCHIVAL (2023): This content is now considered historical only!
Dependency/Usage relationships in some referenced UML/SysML diagrams on this site are for educational illustration only, they are NOT part of the actual model.
[HISTORICAL] HOWTO easily "hack" the SysML-1.6 ~InterfaceBlock conjugation and «~interfaceBlock» keywords in MagicDraw/Cameo. [NOW SUPPORTED 2024x Golden] ARCHIVAL (2022): This content is now considered historical only!
The vendor-specific Action Language Helper (ALH) API can be accessed from all of the various action scripting languages available in MagicDraw, Cameo Systems Modeler, and Cameo Simulation Toolkit
Cameo Simulation Toolkit DOES NOT leverage a Reception on a Class/Block at all! Use an AcceptEventAction with a SignalEvent trigger or an 'effect' on a Transition instead. There is a formal fUML restriction that a Reception should not have a method.
