Hi
I have been using DIA (currently 0.84) for some while (the UML part) and
like it a lot, but there are some quirks I don't like. For now I'll
mention three:
When you create a dependency, association or aggregation between two
objects (package, class ...) the arrow always points up or down. This is
fine if you connect at the top or bottom but if you connect at either
side of an object the arrow is plain wrong as it is pointing up or down,
depending on the position of the horizontal leg of the connection.
Sometimes, with ultra precision with the mouse, you can get the arrow to
point left or right (depending on which side of the object you connect),
but at other times it's impossible. This clutters the diagram as you try
to make all connections at the bottom or the top. A fix would be
appreciated.
The second quirk is the position of role names and multiplicity on the
diagrams. First, they are too close to the link and the object; there is
no free space between which I find ugly and hard to read. Second, the
labels are always to the right of the connection point which makes it
appear inside the object if the object is also to the right making the
label unreadable as it clashes with the text in the object. This also
mandates you to make only connections at the top or bottom, with the
addition that you can now also connect at the right side (if you don't
use arrows). Making the label repositionable would fix this, but a
correct automatic positioning would be great.
Third and last is the use of only horizontal + vertical lines in the
dependency, association and aggregation connectors. This is fine for the
inheritance connector but it is a bit constraining with the other
connectors. I feel a better way would be to make the connection a
straight line, with the option of breakpoints. A choice between the two
would be nice.
That's it for now, and again, thanks for a great tool (with some quirks)
;)
btw: To DIA web page administrator: The contact link on the DIA web page
misplaces the page in the sidebar.
Jens
