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You must lock the part of the model you are going to edit to prevent other users from editing it at the same time. Locking is allowed if that part of the model is not locked by another user, because an item can only be locked by one user at a time. 

The following table outlines what you can edit after you lock a single element, single diagram, diagram with elements, and so on:

When you lock...You can...
ElementEdit element specification properties (in the Specification window)
Diagram

Edit:

  • Diagram specification properties (in the Specification window)
  • Diagram properties (in the Diagram Properties dialog)
  • Symbol layout on the diagram pane
  • Symbol properties (in the Symbol Properties dialog)
Diagram with elements

Edit:

  • Diagram specification properties (in the Specification window)
  • Element specification properties (in the Specification window and on the diagram pane)
  • Diagram properties (in the Symbol Properties dialog)
  • Symbol properties (in the Symbol Properties dialog)
  • Symbol layout on the diagram pane
Symbol styles

Edit properties of symbol styles (in the Project Options dialog)

Project usages
  • Import used projects as packages into the main project
  • Stop using projects
  • Change versions of used projects


Locking without forced project update

You can lock elements without forcing an update of a project to the latest version if the selected elements are not locked or do not have changes in a newer version on the server.

This feature can be enabled/disabled in the Environment Options dialog.

To enable/disable locking without updating

  1. Select Options > Environment > Collaboration node.
  2. Find Enable Locking Without Forced Project Update. Do one of the following: 
    • Set to true, to enable locking without updating;
    • Set to false, to disable locking without updating. 

There is a 60-second threshold; if locking takes longer than 60 seconds, a project update will be required.

You are trying to lock package B, which contains many elements, recursively. The modeling tool cannot check all contained elements' status in later versions of the project in 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, a project update will be required to lock the package.

Representation of locked elements

In the Containment tree, element names are represented in two colors:

  • Unlocked elements are represented in black, meaning they are editable.
  • Locked elements are represented in gray, meaning they are not editable.

Locked and unlocked elements in the Containment tree

Locking elements and diagrams

If you want to lock all lockable elements, disable lock-free editing to work in a lock-required mode.

Elements and diagrams can be locked by using the commands from their shortcut menu.

Locking commands on the shortcut menu of the Package


Elements can also be locked by clicking the Lock element for the Edit button  on their Specification window.

Locking command in the element's Specification window


The following table provides suggestions on which locking commands to use for different purposes.

If you need to edit...Do the following

Specification properties of a single element

  1. Right-click either:
    • The element in the Model Browser.
    • A symbol of the element on a diagram pane.
  2. From the shortcut menu, select Lock > Lock Element for Edit.

OR

  1. Double-click either:
    • The element in the Model Browser.
    • A symbol of the element on a diagram pane.
  2. In the Specification window, click Lock Element for Edit.

Specification properties of both an element and the elements it contains (owns)

For example, a project has a Package Analysis, containing two inner Packages
- Design and Implementation. Each inner Package also contains elements.

Lock the Package Analysis recursively to edit all the elements in this Package.


  1. Right-click either:
    • This element in the Model Browser.
    • A symbol of this element on a diagram pane.
  2. From the shortcut menu, select Lock > Lock Elements for Edit Recursively

At least one of the following:

  • Diagram representation properties (including diagram layout)
  • Symbol properties of elements represented on that diagram pane
  1. Right-click this diagram in the Model Browser.
  2. From the shortcut menu, select Lock > Lock Diagram for Edit.

OR

  1. Right-click a free space on this diagram pane.
  2. From the shortcut menu, select Lock Diagram > Lock Diagram for Edit.

At least one of the following:

  • Diagram specification properties
  • Diagram representation properties (including diagram layout)
  • Properties of elements represented on that diagram pane
  • Symbol properties of elements represented on that diagram pane
  1. Right-click this diagram in the Model Browser.
  2. From the shortcut menu, select Lock > Lock Diagram Content for Edit.

OR

  1. Right-click a free space on this diagram pane.
  2. From the shortcut menu, select Lock Diagram > Lock Diagram Content for Edit.

At least one of the following:

  • Symbol properties of a single element represented on a diagram pane

  • Position of the symbol on the diagram pane
  1. Right-click the symbol of that element on a diagram pane.
  2. From the shortcut menu, select Lock > Lock Element for Edit in Diagram.

Locking symbol styles

You can lock symbol styles via the Lock View tab or the Project Options dialog.


To lock symbol styles via the Lock View tab

  1. In the Lock View tab on the Model Browser, expand Project Options.

    It is the last tab on the Model Browser. If the tab is closed, you can simply open it by selecting Collaborate > View Locked Elements.
  2. Right-click Symbol Styles and from the shortcut menu select Lock Symbol Styles for Edit.


To lock symbol styles via the Project Options dialog

  1. Do either:
    • Select Options > Project.

    • In the Lock View tab on the Model Browser, right-click Project Options and from the shortcut menu, select Symbol Styles.

      It is the last tab on the Model Browser. If the tab is closed, you can simply open it by selecting Collaborate > View Locked Elements.
  2. In the Project Options dialog, click Lock Symbol Styles for Edit.


Locking symbol styles via the Project Options dialog


As a result, symbol styles become editable. Additionally, the Make Default button (1) in all Symbol Properties dialogs and the Set Selected Symbol Style as Default button (2) on all the diagram toolbars become available, as shown below.

Symbol style manipulation buttons

Locking project usages

To lock a used project

  1. From the Options menu, select Project Usages. The Project Usages dialog opens.

  2. Select a used project on the left side of the dialog.

  3. Click the  button to lock the used project.

You can use a shortcut menu for this step. Right-click the project and then select Lock.

You can then import the used project as a package to the main project, stop using it, or change its version.


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