Previous Topic: Getting StartedNext Topic: File Types Supported


Basic Features

erwin® Data Modeler has many powerful features that you can use to design entity relation data models and dimensional models. You can create and maintain databases on many different target servers. But perhaps the most powerful feature of this product is its simplicity and ease of use.

Many of the standard Windows features and conventions are used in this product. You can create, modify, save, and print documents in this product using familiar Windows dialogs.

To understand the full scope of the available features and capabilities, you can open the eMovies.erwin sample model file that is installed automatically. This model contains all the objects and properties that you typically include in your own models. The following describes the basic features in this product:

Templates

Save time when you start working from a template that you or others in your workgroup have created. When you create a model from a template, all the objects and display settings in the template are automatically applied to the new model.

Subject areas and Diagrams

For each new model, a diagram (ER_Diagram) is automatically created for you to begin your work. You can create additional subject areas and diagrams that are specific to your modeling needs.

Model types

You can create a logical, physical, dimensional, logical/physical, or logical/dimensional model.

erwin Toolbox

When you are ready to add objects to your model, click a tool in the erwin Toolbox and then click the diagram window where you want to position it.

On-diagram editing

The powerful on-diagram editing feature lets you quickly name objects without opening an editor.

Model preferences

Customize your working environment using the many available display options and model preferences. You can create your model using IDEF1X or IE notation.

Target server support

In the physical model, the available options are customized based on the characteristics of the selected target database such as data types, null options, physical storage parameters, and triggers. Once this model is defined, it is generated to your target database directly, in the exact syntax required by your DBMS.

Forward and reverse engineering

You can also create a model by reverse engineering an existing database.

More information:

Subject Areas

Diagrams

Comparison of Logical and Physical Models

On-Diagram Editing Functions

Target Servers and the Physical Model

Forward Engineering/Schema Generation

How to Reverse Engineer a Model from a Database or a Script