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Modeling Tools
This module covers the tools required to model customization for Windchill, including Rational
Rose and Windchill Information Modeler. It will also explain the directory structure of Windchill, as
it relates to modeling
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
• Use the tools required to perform tasks in the Application Solution Development module
of the System RVP work stream.
• Find the appropriate locations for customized files with the Windchill directory.
• Install Windchill Information Modeler.
• Identify Windchill Information Modeler components.
• Explain the purpose of Rational Rose in the Windchill customization process.
• Access and navigate the Windchill API.

Windchill Information Modeler
Windchill utilizes object-oriented (OO) design principles.
The Windchill object model is described in UML diagrams to define the Windchill class structure
and relationships.
These UML diagrams provide a “logical” view of how the system is structured.
The model shows business information and service classes (e.g., data and business logic)
Note: Some information is missing, typically information that is deemed not
required for implementation.
Windchill Information Modeler
Windchill Information Modeler is required to extend and specialize standard Windchill functionality.
Windchill Information Modeler consists of:
• the Windchill object model in the Unified Modeling Language (UML) notation
– The model is installed to WT_HOME/Module when installing Information Modeler.
• Rational Rose — a computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tool
– used to view/modify Windchill UML object model
– requires a license from IBM
– is installed manually, and in addition to installing Information Modeler
• Some source code
– Installed to WT_HOME/src.
• Windchill API documentation
– The API documentation is installed when installing Information Modeler.
• Rose Add-In

Rose Add-In
The Rose Add-In add-in:
• can be seen using the Rational Rose Add-In Manager (Add-Ins > Add-In Manager...).
• Sets some Rational Rose properties to find the Windchill model files.
– These properties can be seen by selecting File > Edit Path Map.
• adds a Windchill tab and Windchill properties to modeled elements in Rational Rose (e.g.,
classes, attributes and operations)
• adds a Windchill script to help Windchill interpret modeled changes and propagate those
changes into a Windchill system
– This menu can be seen as Tools > Windchill.
After installing Information Modeler, the add-in should have been installed with the
manually-executed command ant -f %WT_HOME%/bin/tools.xml rose_addin.

Rational Rose
Rational Rose:
• Is a third-party UML editor from IBM
• Is used to review the OOTB Windchill classes, attributes and relationships
• Is used to diagrammatically document custom object-oriented solutions in Windchill
• Allows developers to create graphical representations of an application, its components, their
interfaces, and their relationships.
– The model is represented by UML symbols
• Some CASE tools, like Rational Rose, generate “real-world” artifacts which can be used to
develop applications
– The artifacts are based on the diagrams and are output from an artifact “generation” action
– Windchill then uses this model to generate code that is used in server and client
development.
Rational Rose Artifacts
• SQL, for persisting data
• Java stub files, a starting point for development
• Introspection registration of class, methods, attributes
– This “informs” Windchill of the extensions and their attributes and relationships
• Localization framework (resource bundles)