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Version: 16.0

Filter Objects – Time Filter & State Filter

ADOIT includes filter mechanisms which allow you to control the visibility of objects:

When a filter is activated, objects are shown or hidden according to the evaluation of certain attribute values. Objects which do not match the filter are hidden from the Object Catalogue, models, analyses, etc.

Example

Charts generated with the time filter active contain only objects that are valid at the chosen date.

The filters are cumulative. That means that objects have to match the criteria of all selected filters in order to be visible.

If the filters are turned off again, all objects will be displayed.

Reset Filters on Scenario Switch

Your time filter and state filter settings will remain in effect until you switch to another scenario. The filter settings will be saved in the background and reapplied when you switch back to the original application scenario.

Filter Objects According to Validity Period​

An object has two attributes that define the time frame of this object. An object is valid between these two dates. The time filter allows to filter objects according to their validity period.

note

The start and end attributes vary depending on the Application Library in use and product configuration. In the ArchiMate Application Library, the time filter evaluates the attributes Valid from and Valid until. These attributes can be found in the Notebook chapter "Lifecycle".

Activate the Time Filter (Global Time Filter)​

In order to activate the time filter:

Time Filter

  1. Click the Filter button , and then click Time filter (1).

  2. Choose a reference date (2).

  3. Click Apply (3).

Only objects valid at the selected date are visible now.

Apply the Time Filter on Models (Model Time Filter)​

In order to activate the model time filter:

  1. Click the More button in the menu bar of the open model, and then click Show model time filter. A dialogue window opens.

  2. Select the Active check box to activate the model time filter.

  3. Click the icon to select a reference date.

Optionally you can also:

  • Drag the slider to the left or right to travel through different states of the model.

When the model time filter is activated, only the objects that are valid at the selected date are shown in the model. Compared with the global time filter, the model time filter affects only the active model in the foreground.

Time Filter with Logical Time Periods​

Depending on the product configuration and on the application library, the time filter can consider logical time periods instead of real time periods. Logical time periods can be defined by the customer. Regarding the usage of the global time filter and of the model time filter with logical time periods compared to the standard time filter there are no relevant differences to notice.

Filter Objects by State​

When the EA workflow is in use, objects can have different states. The state filter allows filtering objects according to these states.

Example

You can use the state filter to display only versioned objects in the "Released" state (icon ). All other objects are hidden and will be visible once the status filter is removed.

note

The state filter is only avalaible if the EA workflow is enabled.

Filtered Object Types

All repository objects are evaluated by the state filter.

Special Case: Hide "Draft" State

When you hide the "Draft" state (icon ), creating new repository objects is not allowed.

note

The attributes which are evaluated for the state filter vary depending on the Application Library in use and product configuration. In the ArchiMate Application Library, the state filter evaluates the attribute State. This attribute is located in the Notebook chapter "Change History".

Activate the State Filter​

In order to activate the state filter:

State Filter

  1. Click the Filter button , and then click State filter (1).

  2. Select the state types which should be visible in ADOIT (2).

  3. Click Apply (3). Only versioned objects with a matching state are visible now.

Optionally you can also:

State Types​

Each state type bundles certain release workflow states:

  • Draft

    Select to view draft versions of objects.

  • Review

    Select to view objects that are currently being reviewed.

  • Released

    Select to view released objects (released and to be deleted).

Extended View​

Use the Extended View to fine-tune which states are displayed (instead of state types). In order to do so:

State Filter - Extended View

  1. In the table, select the states which should be visible in ADOIT (1).

  2. Click Apply (2).

Only versioned objects in the selected state(s) are visible now.