Object Diagrams

Object diagrams show classes at the instance level.

Since objects are not on the same conceptual level as classes, although very closely related, they are expressed in separate diagrams. On the other hand, objects are on the same conceptual level as instances of components and instances of nodes. That's why Poseidon for UML combines the functionality for creating object diagrams, component diagrams and deployment diagrams into a single editor. Therefore, to create an object diagram, use the editor for the deployment diagram.

This may not seem very intuitive at first, but we found it to be very useful. Objects, component instances and node instances can thus be used conjunctively. You can still restrict yourself to use only objects and their links in a deployment diagram.

The diagram elements and toobar options are provided here for quick reference. A much more comprehensive look at the editor is provided in the section on deployment diagrams.

Diagram Elements

Toolbar

Select

Broom

Node

Instance of a Node

Component

Instance of a Component

Dependency

Class

Interface

Association

Object

Link

Rectangle

Rounded Rectangle

Circle

Line

Text

Polygon

Spline

Ink