Std DependencyGraph: Difference between revisions

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{{GuiCommand|Name=Std DependencyGraph|MenuLocation=[[Std Tools Menu|Tools]] → Dependency graph...||Workbenches=All|Shortcut=None|SeeAlso=}}


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{{Docnav
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|[[Std_ProjectUtil|Std ProjectUtil]]
|[[Std_Tools_Menu|Std Tools Menu]]
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{{GuiCommand
|Name=Std DependencyGraph
|Empty=1
|MenuLocation=Tools → Dependency graph...
|Workbenches=All
}}


== Description == <!--T:6-->
== Description == <!--T:6-->


<!--T:7-->
<!--T:7-->
The '''Dependency graph''' displays the dependencies between objects in the active document as a graph. As opposed to the Model tree, objects are listed in reverse chronological order, with the first created object at the bottom.
The '''Std DependencyGraph''' command displays the dependencies between objects in the active document in a 'dependency graph'. As opposed to the [[Tree_view|Tree view]], objects are listed in reverse chronological order, with the first created object at the bottom.


<!--T:18-->
It can be useful in analyzing a FreeCAD document and locating forks in a tree. The dependency graph layout will depend on which workbench was used to create the objects in the document. For example, in FreeCAD 0.16, a model exclusively made in the PartDesign workbench should display a linear dependency graph with a single vertical branch. A model made with Part operations will have many branches, but for a single part they will join up at the top after Boolean operations. If they don't, it means that they are separate objects.
It can be useful in analyzing a FreeCAD document and locating forks in a tree. The dependency graph layout will depend on which workbench was used to create the objects in the document. For example a model made exclusively in the [[PartDesign_Workbench|PartDesign]] workbench can display a linear dependency graph with a single vertical branch. A model made with [[Part_Module|Part]] operations will have many branches, but for a single part they will join up at the top after [[Part_Boolean|Boolean]] operations. If they don't, it means that they are separate objects.


<!--T:19-->
The dependency graph is purely a visualization tool, therefore it cannot be edited; it automatically updates if changes are made to the model.
The dependency graph is purely a visualization tool, therefore it cannot be edited. It automatically updates if changes are made to the model.


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[[Image:Std_DependencyGraph_example.svg|400px]]
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{{Caption|Example of a dependency graph with a PartDesign body on the left and an object created with Part operations on the right}}
[[Image:DependencyGraph1.png|DependencyGraph1.png]]
{{clear}}


==Installation== <!--T:9-->
==Installation== <!--T:32-->

<!--T:9-->
To use the command a third-party software named [http://graphviz.org/ Graphviz] needs to be installed. If you do not have it pre-installed or it is installed in an unconventional location, FreeCAD will display the following dialog:

<!--T:30-->
[[File:FreeCAD-0.17-missing-Graphviz-error-dialogue.png]]

===Windows=== <!--T:33-->


To use the Dependency graph, a third-party software named [http://graphviz.org/ Graphviz] needs to be installed first.
<!--T:15-->
<!--T:15-->
Download the '''graphviz-2.xx.msi''' installer from the [https://graphviz.gitlab.io/_pages/Download/Download_windows.html Graphviz Download page] and launch it to install it.
===Windows===

Download the '''graphviz-2.xx.msi''' installer from the [http://graphviz.org/Download_windows.php Download page] and launch it to install it.
===Mac/OSX=== <!--T:34-->


<!--T:11-->
<!--T:11-->
You can install graphviz using [https://brew.sh/ Homebrew]. (While installing Homebrew, don't get nervous, if MacOS asks you to install updates, e.g. for the Xcode commandline tools. These updates are performed later by the installation process.)
===Mac/OSX===
You can install graphviz using brew:
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{{Code|code=
{{Code|code=
$ brew install graphviz
brew install graphviz
}}
}}
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<!--T:12-->
<!--T:12-->
This installs the graphviz binaries under /usr/local/bin. Unfortunately we can't navigate there from the file dialog that comes up from FreeCAD->Tools->Dependency graph. So let's create a link to /usr/local/bin in our home directory:
This installs the graphviz binaries under /usr/local/bin. FreeCAD will look there all by itself. If the program is not found there you are asked to enter the path. Unfortunately we can't navigate directly there from the file dialog that comes up from {{MenuCommand|ToolsDependency graph...}}.
When you get the file selection dialog you have two possibilities: You can use the key combination Cmd+Shift+. which will show you all the hidden items. Or you use the keys Cmd+Shift+G to get an input field for the path. Enter
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{{Code|code=
{{Code|code=
$ ln -s /usr/local/bin ~/
/usr/local/bin
}}
}}
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<!--T:13-->
and confirm the input field and the file selection dialog.
Now when asked to select the graphviz install directory go to your home directory and select "bin".

<!--T:21-->
In case the Graphviz binaries are installed in a non-standard location try to find the program with the command
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{{Code|code=
type dot
}}
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It will output something like
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{{Code|code=
dot is /usr/local/bin/dot
}}
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<!--T:23-->
And therefore you can tell FreeCAD to look in that directory.

===Linux=== <!--T:35-->


<!--T:10-->
<!--T:10-->
On most Linux distributions (Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenSUSE), you just need to install the graphviz package from the repositories. However, similar to the Mac/OSX, in cases where the Graphviz binaries are installed in a non-standard location, try to find the program with the command:
===Linux===
</translate>
On most Linux distributions (Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenSUSE), you just need to install the graphviz package from the repositories.
{{Code|code=
type dot
}}
<translate>
<!--T:24-->
It may output something like
</translate>
{{Code|code=
dot is /usr/local/bin/dot
}}
<translate>
<!--T:25-->
And therefore you can point FreeCAD to look in that directory.


==Configuration==<!--T:16-->
==Usage== <!--T:37-->
You shouldn't need any configuration of FreeCAD preferences. If FreeCAD cannot find the utility "dot" (from the Graphviz package) then a dialog comes up and asks the user for its path: set the path to the folder that contains the "dot" executable, do not select the executable itself. FreeCAD then tries to start the utility again and in case it succeeds the value is written automatically to the user parameters.


<!--T:20-->
==How to use==
# Go to the '''Tools → Dependency graph...''' menu
# Select the {{MenuCommand|Tools → Dependency graph...}} option from the menu.
# A new tab titled '''Dependency graph''' opens over the main area of the FreeCAD window.
# A new tab titled '''Dependency graph''' opens in the [[Main_view_area|Main view area]].
# Use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in / zoom out.
# Use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in or out.
# Use the horizontal slider at the bottom of the screen to pan the view sideways.
# Use the sliders at the bottom and at the right of the screen to pan the view.


==Save/Export== <!--T:17-->
==Save== <!--T:38-->

You can save/export the displayed dependency graph as an image file. While the Dependency graph tab is in the foreground:
<!--T:17-->
* Just choose '''File''' → [[Std_SaveAs|Save As]] to save the graph as a picture (PNG/BMP/GIF/JPG), a vector graphic (SVG) or as a pdf-file (PDF).
You can save a dependency graph:
* '''File''' → [[Std_Export|Export]] or '''Tools''' → [[Std ViewScreenShot|Save picture]] will '''NOT''' work.
# Make sure the Dependency graph tab is in the foreground.
# Select the {{MenuCommand|File → [[Std_Save|Save]]}} or {{MenuCommand|File → [[Std_SaveAs|Save As]]}} option from the menu.
# Enter a filename and select the file type (*.png, *.bmp, *.gif, *.jpg, *.svg or *.pdf).
# Press the {{Button|Save}} button.

==General principles== <!--T:26-->

<!--T:27-->
* The graph shows objects in reverse chronological order.
* The direction of arrows showing dependencies should always point down, from the child object to the parent object. An arrow pointing up indicates a cyclic dependency, an issue that needs to be resolved.
* A sketch that contains links to [[Sketcher_External|external geometry]] will have a number with an 'x' suffix besides the arrow linking it to its parent, showing the number of external geometries linked in the sketch.
* Objects can have dependencies to multiple parents. For example, for a model built in [[PartDesign_Workbench|PartDesign]], a Pocket may be linked to its Sketch and to the Pad feature that came before it.
* Disallowed dependencies (for example, between a [[Draft_Module|Draft]]/[[Part_Module|Part]] operation and an element inside a PartDesign Body) will show with a red arrow. This type of link usually shows a 'Links go out of allowed scope' error in the [[Report_view|Report view]].
* A [[Std_Part|Part container]] and [[PartDesign_Body|PartDesign Body]] enclose their content inside a frame with a randomly colored background. Their Origin also encloses its content (standard planes and axes) in a frame.
* A [[Std_Group|Groups]] is displayed as a single element linked to its content.

==Limitations== <!--T:28-->

<!--T:29-->
* The dependency graph cannot help with the [[topological naming problem|topological naming problem]]. If a sketch switches faces of a feature after an edit, it is still linked to the feature. Even if some features are broken, the dependency graph will remain unchanged.

<!--T:40-->
{{Docnav
|[[Std_SceneInspector|Std SceneInspector]]
|[[Std_ProjectUtil|Std ProjectUtil]]
|[[Std_Tools_Menu|Std Tools Menu]]
|IconL=
|IconR=
|IconC=Freecad.svg
}}


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{{Userdocnavi{{#translation:}}}}
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<languages/>
[[Category:3rd Party{{#translation:}}]]

Revision as of 17:38, 25 September 2020

Std DependencyGraph

Menu location
Tools → Dependency graph...
Workbenches
All
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
-
See also
None

Description

The Std DependencyGraph command displays the dependencies between objects in the active document in a 'dependency graph'. As opposed to the Tree view, objects are listed in reverse chronological order, with the first created object at the bottom.

It can be useful in analyzing a FreeCAD document and locating forks in a tree. The dependency graph layout will depend on which workbench was used to create the objects in the document. For example a model made exclusively in the PartDesign workbench can display a linear dependency graph with a single vertical branch. A model made with Part operations will have many branches, but for a single part they will join up at the top after Boolean operations. If they don't, it means that they are separate objects.

The dependency graph is purely a visualization tool, therefore it cannot be edited. It automatically updates if changes are made to the model.

Example of a dependency graph with a PartDesign body on the left and an object created with Part operations on the right

Installation

To use the command a third-party software named Graphviz needs to be installed. If you do not have it pre-installed or it is installed in an unconventional location, FreeCAD will display the following dialog:

Windows

Download the graphviz-2.xx.msi installer from the Graphviz Download page and launch it to install it.

Mac/OSX

You can install graphviz using Homebrew. (While installing Homebrew, don't get nervous, if MacOS asks you to install updates, e.g. for the Xcode commandline tools. These updates are performed later by the installation process.)

brew install graphviz

This installs the graphviz binaries under /usr/local/bin. FreeCAD will look there all by itself. If the program is not found there you are asked to enter the path. Unfortunately we can't navigate directly there from the file dialog that comes up from Tools → Dependency graph.... When you get the file selection dialog you have two possibilities: You can use the key combination Cmd+Shift+. which will show you all the hidden items. Or you use the keys Cmd+Shift+G to get an input field for the path. Enter

/usr/local/bin

and confirm the input field and the file selection dialog.

In case the Graphviz binaries are installed in a non-standard location try to find the program with the command

type dot

It will output something like

dot is /usr/local/bin/dot

And therefore you can tell FreeCAD to look in that directory.

Linux

On most Linux distributions (Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenSUSE), you just need to install the graphviz package from the repositories. However, similar to the Mac/OSX, in cases where the Graphviz binaries are installed in a non-standard location, try to find the program with the command:

type dot

It may output something like

dot is /usr/local/bin/dot

And therefore you can point FreeCAD to look in that directory.

Usage

  1. Select the Tools → Dependency graph... option from the menu.
  2. A new tab titled Dependency graph opens in the Main view area.
  3. Use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in or out.
  4. Use the sliders at the bottom and at the right of the screen to pan the view.

Save

You can save a dependency graph:

  1. Make sure the Dependency graph tab is in the foreground.
  2. Select the File → Save or File → Save As option from the menu.
  3. Enter a filename and select the file type (*.png, *.bmp, *.gif, *.jpg, *.svg or *.pdf).
  4. Press the Save button.

General principles

  • The graph shows objects in reverse chronological order.
  • The direction of arrows showing dependencies should always point down, from the child object to the parent object. An arrow pointing up indicates a cyclic dependency, an issue that needs to be resolved.
  • A sketch that contains links to external geometry will have a number with an 'x' suffix besides the arrow linking it to its parent, showing the number of external geometries linked in the sketch.
  • Objects can have dependencies to multiple parents. For example, for a model built in PartDesign, a Pocket may be linked to its Sketch and to the Pad feature that came before it.
  • Disallowed dependencies (for example, between a Draft/Part operation and an element inside a PartDesign Body) will show with a red arrow. This type of link usually shows a 'Links go out of allowed scope' error in the Report view.
  • A Part container and PartDesign Body enclose their content inside a frame with a randomly colored background. Their Origin also encloses its content (standard planes and axes) in a frame.
  • A Groups is displayed as a single element linked to its content.

Limitations

  • The dependency graph cannot help with the topological naming problem. If a sketch switches faces of a feature after an edit, it is still linked to the feature. Even if some features are broken, the dependency graph will remain unchanged.