In UML diagrams, such as sequence and communication diagrams, you
can create lifelines to represent objects in a system.
You must have a sequence or communication diagram open.
To create a lifeline:
- In the Palette, click Lifeline.
- In the editor, click in an interaction frame where you want to
add the new lifeline.
- In the dialog box, click a type of lifeline:
| Lifeline |
Details |
| Unspecified |
This option creates a lifeline
without a specified type. |
| Create Class |
This option creates a lifeline
that represents a class. You type a name for the new lifeline and then for
the object. |
| Create Actor |
This option creates a lifeline
that represents an actor. You type a name for the new lifeline and then for
the object. |
| Create Component |
This option creates a
lifeline that represents a component. You type a name for the new lifeline
and then for the object. |
| Select Existing Element |
This option enables
you to select an existing element in the model. |
When you create a lifeline in a sequence diagram, the lifeline is
aligned vertically with other lifelines in the interaction, and extends downward.
You can resize a lifeline by clicking it and dragging the anchors vertically
or horizontally.
Tip: You can also assign an existing element type
to a lifeline: In the navigation view, click a class, interface, or data type
and drag it onto a lifeline in the interaction frame.