Background

These instructions aim to give new users a basic introduction to the BridgePoint tool utilizing content from various sources. The goal is to minimize "blank page syndrome" (not knowing how to get started) and struggles with the tool.

Help is available in the xtUML forum and xtUML Community Chat. Do not hesitate to use these resources! Someone from our friendly community will help you.

Installation

Download

Download BridgePoint (xtUML Modeler version).

  • In your home directory (hereafter referred to as <home>) create a folder xtuml.

  • Extract the zipfile contents into the <home>/xtuml folder.

Note
 On Linux and MacOS directory paths are separated with /, while on Windows you will use \.

Simplified User Interface

BridgePoint supports many UML diagrams. To simplify the user interface and focus on only the executable diagrams:

  • Using a text editor, open bridgepoint.ini in your installation under <home>/xtuml (will be under a subdirectory depending on your OS)

  • Append the following to the end of bridgepoint.ini

-Dbridgepoint.AcceptEventAction=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.AcceptTimeEventAction=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.Action=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.ActivityEdge=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.ActivityFinalNode=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.ActivityPartition=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.Actor=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.AssociativeLink=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.AsynchronousMessage=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.CommunicationLine=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.DecisionMergeNode=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.Extend=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.Exception=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.FlowFinalNode=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.ForkJoinNode=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.Generalization=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.Include=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.InitialNode=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.Instance=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.InteractionClass=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.InteractionComponent=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.InteractionExternalEntity=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.Link=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.ObjectNode=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.PackageParticipant=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.ReturnMessage=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.SendSignalAction=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.SynchronousMessage=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.TimingMark=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.TimeSpan=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.UseCase=disabled
-Dbridgepoint.UseCaseAssociation=disabled

  • Save and exit the text editing of bridgepoint.ini

Running BridgePoint

  • Create a folder named workspaces in your home directory.

  • Start BridgePoint by running the executable file named bridgepoint.

  • You are prompted for a "workspace". Eclipse uses workspaces to contain information about one or more projects. Let us specify a workspace named sandbox1 by entering <home>/workspaces/sandbox1.

  • Once BridgePoint starts, Click the "x" on the Welcome tab to close the Welcome page.

Project Creation and Editing Example

Now let us go step by step to create an example model. This phase is intended to teach you how to perform model edits. Getting started from a blank canvas is often challenging, so let us begin.

Build a Sumo Model

Additional Learning

Now that you have learned a little about the tool, many other resources are available on xtuml.org under the "Learn" section.

Online Course

Of specific note is the online course Modeling with xtUML. This course uses short-form videos to teach users about various parts and features of BridgePoint.

Example Models

BridgePoint has several sample models built into the tool. Re-open the Welcome page by choosing Help > Welcome in the application menu. Then choose Quick Start. See models of a microwave oven, GPS Watch and more.