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Free UML modeling tools in Java
Published by Tom | July 30, 2004 07:00 PM EDT |

Features and usability of free, UML modeling tools in Java was a recent discussion topic on the Denver Java User Group's email list. I thought I'd share the recommendations, and provide links with more information.

Free UML modeling tools written in Java, in no particular order.

  • ArgoUML

    Import and export Java source. Exports/imports XMI files, so you can, for example, import a Rational Rose model (you lose the formatting, though). UML 1.3. Source code under BSD license. Supports multiple languages.

  • Jude

    Import and export Java source. Import just makes the classes available for modeling. Supports UML 1.4.

  • Omondo EclipseUML Free Edition

    An Eclipse plug-in for UML modeling. Eclipse Team support. Can create class and sequence diagrams from Java bytecode. Can model EJBs and servlets. Free version does not support Eclipse 3.0. UML 1.4. XMI support.

  • Visual Paradigm for UML

    This full-featured product offers six versions, priced from free to $700. The free versions have some features disabled or limited. Integrates with nearly all Java IDEs.

  • Violet

    Draws simple UML diagrams. Bare-bones program with small learning curve: no XMI, no reverse engineering, no validity checking. Source code available under GPL.

Other web sites with information about UML tools, including non-Java and non-free:

http://www.jguru.com/faq/view.jsp?EID=568126

http://plg.uwaterloo.ca/%7Emigod/uml.html

Did I leave out a great, free, Java UML tool? Please leave a comment and let me know.



Update Aug 15: I added Visual Paradigm for UML, pointed out to me by Mark Hayes.
20040730 Friday July 30, 2004 Permalink Comments [3]
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Comments:

Borland recently announced the Together Designer Community Edition. Based on my past experience with the free editions of Together, it's probably pretty badly crippled.

There is also the Poseidon for UML Community Edition, which is a free edition of a commercial derivative of ArgoUML.

Posted by Doug on July 30, 2004 at 07:42 PM EDT
Website: http://creativekarma.com/ #

Dear Friends,

I am currently in Croatia enjoying summer time on my boat . I have noticed that your website has provided 13 new visitors in August. Thanks for writing about EclipseUML.
Free EclipseUML Edition for Eclipse 3.0 will be available at the end of 2004.
I go back fishing :-)
Cheers,

Vlad,
Omondo
VP Sales

Posted by Vlad on August 03, 2004 at 04:29 PM EDT
Website: http://www.omondo.com #

I've used EclipseUML and UMLet (http://www.umlet.com/), and a few others. The latter is very basic, but lets you create pretty diagrams very quickly. Therefore, it is good for making quick sketches, which is usually what I want a UML tool for. However, EclipseUML is good at reverse engineering, which is nice for making sense of a large codebase.

Posted by Eric Galluzzo on August 25, 2004 at 10:03 AM EDT
Website: http://www.galluzzo.net/ #

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