How do I generate class diagram across projects in a solution?

Question

How can I generate a class diagram that spans objects in multiple projects/assemblies in Visual Studio 2005 Pro?

 

If I right-click on a project and View Class Diagram, this is perfect except for the fact that it only includes that one project's classes (and understably so since I clicked on the project itself).  However, I want the same thing but by right-clicking on the solution and viewing a class diagram that shows all of the dependencies and relationships between assemblies.

 

Our scenario is that in our system, we have a web application, web services, a winforms app, and a mobile app that all have a lot of common code.  So we compile our common code into a DLL that all of these front-ends reference.  Then each one of these apps have child classes that extend or implement many base classes and interfaces in the common code DLL.  What I want is to show all of the parent/child relationships that exist across the project boundaries.

 

How can I get something like this generated?

 

Many thanks!!

-Jax

Answer 1

Hi, Jaxidian,

 

I'm sorry to say that class diagram doesn't support cross project relationship. Each class diagram can show only the classes within the same project.

 

However we heard a lot of request for solution level class diagram. We'll definitely take this request into consideration when planning for future Class Designer.

 

Thanks a lot!

Yang

 

Answer 2

Hi Jax,

 

As Yang mentions currently Class Designer doesn't support the ability to automatically generate a diagram showing the relationships across projects at the solution level.

 

However, you should be able to show classes (and the relationships to them) from other projects that are referenced (through assembly references).  You can do this by invoking the "Show Base Class" or "Show as Association/Collection Association" commands as appropriate or by dragging and dropping the referenced classes from Class View.  While this is not quite the same as automatically showing them and will also be scoped to the referenced assemblies for that particular project (rather than scoped at the project level), hope it helps to some extent.

 

Cheers,

Ramesh Rajagopal.

Answer 3

Hi Yang,

 

I hope the future Class Designer can support cross solutions class diagram.  In fact, I hope cross solutions capabilities will be available for all applicable features such as Find All Reference.   Where should I submit such request?

 

Peter

 

Answer 4

 

Hi, Peter,

 

I'll be hearing any suggestion/comment/complain on Class Designer, and prioritize the request for future release.

For other feature request, say, support cross solutions capability, I think you can post your request here:

https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio

 

Thanks,

Yang

Answer 5

When can we expect this feature to be implemented?  I am using visual studio 2010 and i still don't see this feature.