Modeling Features › Modeling Preferences › Set Model Display Preferences

Set Model Display Preferences

Use the Display tab in the Format Preferences dialog to set defaults for display options that affect the appearance of the model in the workspace. When you open a model, your preferences are checked and the model and menus you requested display. You can set different preferences for each model.

To set model display preferences

1. Click Preferences on the Format menu.

   The Format Preferences dialog opens.

2. Click the Display tab and complete the following fields:

   Select from the following Shadow Offset options:

   • Right

     Defines the value in pixels for the width of the shadow to the right of each entity, table, or view in the workspace. Default: 5 pixels.

   • Bottom

     Defines the value in pixels for the width of the shadow below each entity, table, or view in the workspace.

     Default: 5 pixels.

   Select from the following Maximum Display Length options:

   • Definition/Comment

     Defines the value for the maximum number of characters displayed for entity definitions (logical model) or table comments (physical model) before text is wrapped to the next line. Default: 40 characters.

   • View Expression

     Defines the value for how much of a view column expression is displayed in the physical model.

     Default: 20 characters.

   For Relationship Options, you can set Phrase Options and Display Options:

   • Split Verb Phrase check box

     Splits the parent-to-child and child-to-parent verb phrases on each relationship line (logical model only).

   Choose one of the Display Verb Phrase options:

   • Parent-to-Child Only

     Displays only the parent-to-child verb phrase for relationships.

   • Child-to-Parent Only

     Displays only the child-to-parent verb phrase for relationships.

   • Both

     Displays both the parent-to-child and child-to-parent verb phrases for relationships.

   The following additional Display Options are available:

   • Subcat Cardinality

     Displays the cardinality symbol for relationship lines in a supertype/subtype construct.

   • Relationship Nullability

     Displays the nullability symbol on a relationship line. When you select this option, the display of the nullability symbol is based solely on the nullability of the relationship. If you do not select this option, then the default display is to show the nullability symbol based on the combination of the nullability of the relationship and the nullability of the FK attribute.

   • Match Print to Screen check box

     Specifies that you want the diagram window layout to match the printed layout if you do not use truetype fonts on the diagram window. If you use truetype fonts on the diagram window, the diagram window and the printed layout automatically match.

3. Click OK.

   Your selections are saved, and the Format Preferences dialog closes.