[aldo_14]

Righty-o.  i've been using this tool called Together for UML diagrams for a while now.  However, I don't have a license of home use (I use it at uni), so part of the program is locked out (collaboration diagrams, etc).  and, somewhat more relevantly, together is a steaming pile of donkey poo.  It's crap.

But i need to do some UML diagrams and quick, so if anyone can recommend a free alternative (especially one that can autogenerat class diagrams), i'd be eternally grateful.

[mikhael]

So what's this UML thing anyway?

[aldo_14]

Unified Modelling Language

It's a standardised way of diagramming system design - class architecture, user & class interaction, message passing, etc.  

It's pain in the arse, actually - there's a million clearer ways to define stuff.  And with any large scale system the diagrams get unfeasibly large.... anything above about 20 classes and the resulting class diagram is hideous.  Any message passing more than 3 classes deep -  likewise.

I hate UML with all my heart. But it's standard practice at uni to use it for the final year reports.

[mikhael]

is that all those boxes that that list linkages between classes that my Java instructor gave me for my assignments?

I never did quite understand why they were arranged that way.

[aldo_14]

No idea - quite possibly.

i.e. (hope this shows....uni may have restricted some access rights for this)

(EDITL  had to check an old class webpage for that...seems they've had to simplify the practicals to use less diagrams and whatnot.  And no bloody wonder)

One of many esoteric and needlessly complicated diagrams.  UML is like stabbing yourself in the eye with a poison tipped, boiling hot fork.  Unofrtunately, iI don't really have a choice.  Bah.

[mikhael]

That's just ugly.

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by mikhael
That's just ugly.

you have no idea.......you should see the autogenerated stuff I eneded up with for a class diagram.... it resolved to a 8000*8000 gif file that crashed the computer when saving.  With 43 classes, with the linkages nicely overlaid so it ended up looking like a spiderweb.

There's something plain wrong about a diagrammatic method that gets less effective the less trivial and detailed a system is.

[Windrunner]

I know how you feel aldo. i am gonna have an exam on UML here at my univeristy. and its really pain in the ass.

there are class diagrams, usecase diagrams, sequence diagrams and another one i forgot the name on.

[Windrunner]

oh and btw, you wanted a free UML editor.

try one of these links:

http://www.gentleware.com/

http://www.visual-paradigm.com/

they both have free versions of thier UML editor