The Dia drawing tool is a great way to draw UML diagrams. This page is only to get you started using the tool.

• To start the Dia drawing tool on the Suns, type at a Unix prompt:

        dia &
  

• To draw UML diagrams, select "UML" from the menu in the middle of the Dia box.

• Dia is very easy to use. Create a new diagram by selecting "New" from "File" menu. You should see a grid sheet. One quirk with the human interface is that you must use the Right Mouse Button to see the menus when you are on the grid sheet.

• Select the "Create a class" icon and click on the grid to create a class box. To set the fields in your class box, you first select the box then from Right Mouse Button menu select "Dialogs > Properties" (Obvious right?). Now you fill out the form.

• Notice the blue lines on the grid sheet. They are the boundaries of the printed page. Be warned that it is easy to create UML diagrams which extend beyond the printed page. I suggest you set Scaling to 30% on File > Page Setup on Right Mouse Button menu.

• That should be enough to get you started.

• Dia tutorial for UML diagrams written by Kathy Heise

• Dia home page