Understanding Diagrams

Beginner

Understanding Diagrams

A diagram is a visual view of a subset of your model, displayed on the canvas.

Key Concept: Diagrams are Views, Not the Model

This is the most important thing to understand:

  • The model contains ALL your nodes and relationships
  • A diagram shows SOME of them visually on the canvas
  • One model can have many diagrams, each showing different aspects
  • Removing a node from a diagram does not delete it from the model
  • A node can appear on multiple diagrams

Think of It Like This

Your model is a database. Diagrams are saved queries/views that visualize parts of that database.

Creating a Diagram

  1. In the Tree View, find the Diagrams section
  2. Click the + button to create a new diagram
  3. Give it a meaningful name (e.g., "Infrastructure Overview", "Team Structure")
  4. The diagram opens on the canvas

Adding Elements to a Diagram

  • Drag from Toolbox: Drag a Node Type from the Toolbox onto the canvas → creates a new node AND places it on the diagram
  • Drag from Tree View: Drag an existing node from the Tree View onto the canvas → adds it to the diagram without creating a new one
  • Auto-show relationships: When you add nodes to a diagram, their relationships are automatically shown if both connected nodes are on the diagram

Managing Diagrams

  • Switch diagrams: Click a different diagram in the Tree View
  • Rename: Select the diagram and edit its name in the Properties Panel
  • Delete diagram: Removes the diagram view only — all nodes and relationships remain in the model

Layout Tips

  • Drag nodes to arrange them visually
  • Relationships follow their connected nodes automatically
  • Use meaningful spatial arrangement (e.g., layers: users on top, servers on bottom)
Next →

Using Sticky Notes and Diagram Links