Software Design Center

HOW TO DRAW SHLAER-MELLOR DIAGRAMS (cont'd)

Drawing Domain Chart Relationship Arrows
Client-server relationships on domain charts are illustrated with thick arrows. SmartDraw provides a number of these arrows in the Shlaer-Mellor symbol library, but in some cases you will need to create your own. To start, click on the arch symbol in the toolbar and drag it to the page.

Adjust length and curvature using the three grow handles located along the arc.

Next, duplicate your arc by selecting it and choosing first, Copy, and then Paste in the Edit menu or by using Control+C for copying and Control+V for pasting.

Position the two arcs next to each other. You might need to adjust their curvature to create a uniform distance between them.

Select the straight line tool in the toolbar. Now, your cursor should look like a pencil. Click on the end of the first arc with the pencil and without letting go of the mouse, draw a straight line to the end of the second arc until you see the anchor symbol. Release the mouse and the two arcs should be connected by a straight line. This forms the end of the arrow.