Table of Contents
- Working with Tables
- Working with Columns
- Working with Primary Keys
- Working with Relationships
- Working with Indices
- Working with Diagram Objects in the Playpen
- Using Undo and Redo
- Selecting Multiple Objects in the Playpen
- Deleting Diagram Objects in the Playpen
- Rearranging Diagram Objects in the Playpen
- Automatically Arranging Tables in the Playpen
- Straightening Diagram Lines in the Playpen
- Using the Playpen Zoom Options
- Finding and Replacing Playpen Objects
- Printing or Exporting a Data Model Diagram
Use the Power*Architect playpen to create a data model diagram that includes tables, columns, indices, and relationships. Before you begin, be sure to read Chapter 2, Getting Started , which explains how to use the playpen and the database tree.
When you create a data model in Power*Architect, the model is saved in its own project. The project contains the data model diagram in the playpen and the database tree. You can have multiple projects (and therefore multiple data models) open in Power*Architect at once. Each project opens in a separate window.
To create a new table:
Click
in the side toolbar. The cursor changes to
a +.Note: To cancel creating a new table, press ESC.
Alternate methods:
Right-click in the playpen, then click New Table.
Place the cursor over the playpen, then press T.
Click in the playpen where you want to create the table. The Table Properties dialog box appears.
Enter the following information:
In this field ...
Do this ...
Table Name
Enter a table name.
Primary Key Name
You cannot enter a primary key name until you have added columns to the table and defined the primary key. The primary key name is used when you forward engineer the data model. For more information, see the section called “Creating New Columns” .
Note: Primary key names are not used when forward engineering to a MySQL database (MySQL does not support custom primary key names).
Remarks
Enter a description of the table. When you forward engineer the data model, the remarks will be included as comments in the database.
Click OK.
To modify a table:
Click a table in the playpen, then click
in the side toolbar.The Table Properties dialog box appears.
Alternate methods:
Right-click a table in the playpen, then click Table Properties.
Click a table in the playpen, then press Enter.
Modify the table properties as required. For a description of the properties, see the section called “Creating New Tables” .
Click OK.