I’m happy to inform you that Toad Data Modeler Freeware is now available!

Freeware version has some limitations. You can read about them in the following documents:
* TDM Freeware Matrix - Feature List - A list of features and differences between TDM Commercial and Freeware:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/entry.jspa?externalID=3303&categoryID=29

* TDM Freeware - Functionality Restrictions - A quick review of freeware restrictions
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/entry.jspa?externalID=3304&categoryID=29
Tip! - Feel free to use Freeware version as a viewer of your models!

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Download
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You can download the Freeware from:
http://www.casestudio.com/enu/download.aspx

If you have any questions, please write us back. Thanks.

Regards,

Vladka + TDM Team

I’m sure you already know that Toad Data Modeler v. 3.4.x has brought a new feature called Naming Conventions. If you haven’t discovered it yet, I’m sure you at least noticed that Caption and Name boxes have been replaced. This change relates to the naming conventions.

What are the naming conventions in TDM about?
Very briefly, naming conventions allow you to:
- Define your own rules for physical names of objects – e.g. add prefix or suffix to the names, use only lower case etc.
- Synchronize caption (logical name) and name (physical name) of objects of your model.
- Verify whether the physical names of objects match the naming convention rules. If they don’t, you can decide whether to apply them or not.
Note: Naming conventions always influence physical names, NOT captions. Captions (logical names) can be in various forms as they provide logical information only.

If you want to know more, get some examples, see screenshots etc., please read PDF document that is available at:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/entry.jspa?externalID=3040&categoryID=159

In this article, I want to focus on the following situation:
You reversed your, let’s say, Oracle 10g model to Toad Data Modeler. Now you want to modify logical names of objects (Caption) and leave physical names (Name) unchanged.
How to do it?
Solution:  Create a new naming convention and disable the Automatic Synchronization option. Feel free to modify captions then.

Well, this is a solution said in a few words.  Now, let me describe what is necessary to do – step by step.

1. Click on any Workspace of the reversed model to activate it.
Just to check out, edit e.g. the T_CUSTOMER entity. Logical name is T_CUSTOMER and physical name is also T_CUSTOMER. As soon as you start editing the caption, you lose the physical name, which is definitely what you don’t want.

 Click Cancel in the Entity Properties form.
Now do the following:
  
2. Click the Set Up Naming Conventions to Model icon  on the toolbar.
3. Create a new naming convention (provided that none exists) or click Add New Naming Convention in the Link Naming Convention Definition to Model dialog.
4. Define a name of the new naming convention (Automatic Synchronization OFF) and click OK.
5. Select the new naming convention and press OK+Edit.

 
6. In the Naming Convention Properties dialog | General tab, clear the Automatic Synchronization checkbox to turn off the automatic synchronization.

7. Confirm OK.
8. Try to edit the entity again. Change its caption now.
You can write a new logical name, the physical name will stay preserved.

 And that’s all. It can’t be easier.

Finally, let me draw your attention to:

• The PDF document again:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/entry.jspa?externalID=3040&categoryID=159

• and also to flash movies on naming conventions:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/kbcategory.jspa?categoryID=158
Sort the movies by: Title-Descending Order and see movies 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39.

It’s much quicker to watch the movie than read the long document.

If you have any questions on naming conventions, please do ask us via the Modeling community forum.

Have a successful day.

Regards,

Vladka + TDM Team

I wonder if you know what great additional sources our Library on the Modeling community offers to you.

Product Videos - Here you can watch either movies showing new features and enhancements [New] or tutorial movies showing how to work with Toad Data Modeler [Getting Started].  Special movies for experts are also available - see the Expert Mode section.
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/kbcategory.jspa?categoryID=116

Best Practices section contains a lot of helpful tips and tricks and some tutorials to new features.
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/kbcategory.jspa?categoryID=159

Documentation with Release Notes, User Guide, Trial Version Information and other important documents to Toad Data Modeler.
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/kbcategory.jspa?categoryID=29

Utilities section with sample models, user scripts, user packages, XSL user templates!

I’m happy to inform you that two nice user packages have been added there:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/kbcategory.jspa?categoryID=34

Here’s the description:
1. Reverse All Related Tables
This package works for Oracle db and allows you to load also tables that relate to the selected tables (e.g. tables of a different schema that are related to the selected tables will be loaded during RE). Moreover, you can also define the level (depth) for loading the tables.

2. Extra Objects - DDL Script Generation
These are packages for all supported databases (except for MS Access). The packages create a new object ExtraObject (see the new item in Model Explorer) where you can write any text you want. It will be generated in DDL/SQL script then. Moreover, you can define where in the script you want to generate it - via the Order of Generated Objects feature (Model menu).

The packages are valid for Toad Data Modeler 3.4.15 and BETA 3.5.1. Please do not use the packages in older TDM versions.

I encourage you to visit the Library section and get the information you need, use the additional sources (user scripts and packages) that can facilitate your work significantly.
If you have any requirements, please do not hesitate to write us via the Modeling community forum. The possibility to make user packages and customize TDM to perfectly meet your needs is one of the greatest TDM features. Do not hesitate to take advantage of it. Our team is ready to help!

Enjoy the new packages!

Regards,

Vladka + TDM Team

I’m pleased to announce that BETA version 3.5.1.1 has been released.

This BETA doesn’t bring any new features but only fixes the following problem:

Reverse Engineering Oracle database: Problem during loading net service names from tnsnames.ora configuration file. Description: In some cases, when local naming parameters “RDB_DATABASE” or “SECURITY” were used, the net service name could have been loaded incompletely. Problem fixed. (CR # 66 319)

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BETA Download
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Download the new Beta from:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/ann.jspa?annID=150

The Beta requires that you are running a commercial or trial copy of Toad Data Modeler. You need to have a  valid license key for the commercial or trial copy of Toad Data Modeler to be able to run the BETA.
To get a license key, please contact the Quest Sales team at: sales@quest.com. Thank you.

BETA 3.5.1.1 expires on 1 December 2009.
There are NO feature limitations in the BETA.

Have a nice day.

Regards,

Vladka & TDM Team

today you will find out how to add new Table Type (Engine) option to MySQL models in Toad Data Modeler. By default, the following Table Types are available:

• Default
• MEMORY
• MyISAM
• MERGE
• BDB
• InnoDB
• NDBCluster
• ARCHIVE
• CSV
• FEDERATED

What if we want to use Partner-Developed storage engines, e.g. BrightHouse? Is it possible to customize Toad Data Modeler and use this engine? Of course To add the BrightHouse option to MySQL 5.1 model, do the following:

1. Turn on the Expert mode. Click Settings | Options and in section General, check the Expert Mode checkbox.
2. Open a model for MySQL 5.1. Add a new entity to the model and edit the entity. Then right click the Entity Properties form and select the Customize Form item.

3. The form will re-load in a customizable mode. Click the Table Type combo box.

4. Double click the (IDispatch) item in Component Inspector to open list of values and add there the BRIGHTHOUSE option.

5. Close the Edit mode by clicking the red cross icon on top right corner of the largest form (standard icon for closing a dialog).

6. Save the changes. Right click the form immediately after closing the Edit mode and select Save Form option.

7. Now you can edit any entity and choose the BRIGHTHOUSE option from the Table Type combo box.

8. See SQL preview:

That’s all.

Have a great day,

Vaclav

Let me inform you that Toad Data Modeler version 3.4.15 has been released.

Toad Data Modeler 3.4.15 is a patch to version 3.4.14. No new features and enhancements have been implemented in this version.
The patch fixes the following problem:
Core Problem - Windows Environment Variables were not loaded properly. Problem fixed. CR #  66 138, 65 938.

You can download Toad Data Modeler 3.4.15 from:
http://www.quest.com/common/registration.aspx?RequestDefID=10037
or via the Quest support website:
https://support.quest.com
(section Downloads & Updates for Toad Data Modeler)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write us. Thank you.

Kind regards,

Vladka + TDM Team

Just a quick note to inform you that the series on the Convertor and new Sync & Convert Wizard is now available in PDF version.
Please see:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/entry.jspa?externalID=3152&categoryID=29

Regards,

Vladka

Generation of Alter Scripts

Generation of alter scripts belongs among the most valuable features for you, Toad Data Modeler users. Our aim was to make it more user-friendly and stable. What improvements can you find?

Look at the two following screenshots. The first one shows the old Convertor dialog, the second one the new Sync & Convert Wizard.
Try to reply to the following questions:

We are sure you can answer the questions with the new Sync & Convert Wizard much more easily.

And another question…

This was a little breakneck thing in the Convertor, wasn’t it… Now it is much clearer in the new wizard.

Flash movie on alter script generation in the new Sync & Convert Wizard is available at:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/entry.jspa?externalID=3029&categoryID=158

Compare Models and Generate Alter Report

In Convertor it was possible to generate HTML alter report directly. It is the same now. However, in the new Sync & Convert Wizard you can have a clearer overview of the differences. Moreover, for physical models, Toad Data Modeler 3.4 allows you to generate alter reports in the following formats: HTML,RTF and PDF.

Well, these have been all the actions you can perform in the new Sync & Convert Wizard.

There is another feature available in Toad Data Modeler (not in the new wizard) – model update.

Model Update

Model Update (accessible via Model | Model Update) is a feature that allows you to synchronize your existing model with the database. It allows you to connect to a physically existing database and compare your model with the database. During Model Update, after connecting to the database, NO model is loaded and so you are not able to make any modifications before you compare the models. So, use the Model Update feature when you want to update the existing model directly.

Another situation is the following: Let’s say that you want to update your existing model, but you prefer to connect to the database, load the model and make some changes (e.g. remove schema) prior to the comparison.
In this case, firstly you should do reverse engineering – a new model is loaded to Toad Data Modeler. Secondly, do the model merge in the Sync & Convert Wizard.

Convertor versus Sync & Convert Wizard - SUMMARY

The new Sync & Convert Wizard is now more user-friendly, stable, clearer, faster and easier to use and understand.
Unfortunately, the simplification of the GUI has brought some limitations.
1. If you want to perform two actions, e.g. update a model and also generate alter script, you have to use the wizard twice.
2. If you want to compare two models of a different database platform, you have to do model conversion first and then you can compare the two models, now of the same database platform.
3. If you want to compare a logical model with physical model, you have to convert the model to physical (or logical) and then compare two logical or two physical models.

In any case, we prefer a stable and clear wizard with less functions to unstable and complicated Convertor with many functions.

We do hope the new Sync & Convert Wizard helps you to make things faster and easier. Of course, any questions, suggestions and ideas are welcome. Please feel free to write us via our Modeling community forum at http://modeling.inside.quest.com/forumindex.jspa?categoryID=64.

Additional information:
PDF doc on the new Sync & Convert Wizard:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/entry.jspa?externalID=3039&categoryID=159

Flash movies:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/kbcategory.jspa?categoryID=158

Have a nice day!

Regards,

Vladka + Vaclav

Hello,

Today we will compare the model merge functionality.

Convertor
One of the strengths of the old Convertor was the possibility to compare models of two different database platforms. That seemed to be a powerful feature, however, it also brought some confusion.

Questions you probably asked:

On the screenshot below there are settings for Oracle. The second tab Settings for Model2 contains settings for MS SQL. What happens if I clear checkbox Functions here and leave the checkbox selected on tab Settings for Model2?

Sync & Convert Wizard
The new Sync & Convert Wizard allows you to compare and merge only models of the same database. If you want to compare models Videorental Oracle with Videorental MS SQL Server, you have to convert the Oracle model to MS SQL and then compare two MS SQL Server models. It may seem to be an extra step, however, on the other hand the possibility that you make a mistake during the direct comparison is very low. The direct comparison is surely safer and returns better results, which are of benefit to you all, Toad Data Modeler users.Look at the new GUI. The following screenshot shows the Select Items page of the wizard.

Note: I recommend to watch the following movie explaining the objects and shapes issue during the model merge:
http://modeling.inside.quest.com/entry.jspa?externalID=3055&categoryID=158

In last step you can define if you want to update the Destination Model or if you want to save the changes to a new model.

Summary: Easy to understand GUI with clear overview of items that are different, new or missing.

Tomorrow we will continue, this time comparing the alter script generation functionality.

Regards,

Vladka + Vaclav

Today I will show you differences  relating to the selection of actions you can perform, and model conversion.

Select Action to Perform

Convertor
Look at the old Convertor dialog. There are icons next to each model – Model 1 and Model 2. Using the icons you define your desired actions. Generation of alter script, model merge, model merge to a new model.

Sync & Convert Wizard
It allows you to select the desired action in first step on page Action.

Model Conversion

Convertor
In the Model 2 combo-box, you could see besides a list of all databases also a list of all currently open models (- what for when you want to convert your model to another database…)
On the right side of the grid – items of Model 2, there were all objects listed with status ‘Not Exists’, which was confusing.

Questions you probably asked:
•   What icon should I enable to make model conversion? The Save Merged Model 2 to New Model icon?
•   Why do I see all opened models in combo-box next to the Model 2 box. All I need to do is just to convert  a model from one db to another and I don’t care about other open models.
•   Why are all the objects on right side with status ‘Not Exists’? 
•   Where do I define name for the final model?

Sync & Convert Wizard
The new Sync & Convert Wizard answers all the questions easily.
In first step you simply select Convert Model to Another Target Database System.
On page Select Left Side you select the model that you want to convert.
On page Select Right Side, you select the target database platform for the model conversion.

On page Settings, you can even select whether database specific items should or should not be commented out. In the  past, all objects were commented out automatically, even when doing conversion from Oracle 10g to Oracle 11g. Now the choice is up to you.

When you finally reach the Select Items page, an overview of available objects will be displayed. You will see no blue or grey arrows, no objects on right side with the Not Exists status. Use checkboxes on the left to select individual objects for the conversion. (At the bottom of the wizard, you can see additional information about the highlighted item, incl. Name, Caption and Fullname).

In last step, you can define a new model name.

Summary: Clear and easy to understand GUI without redundant options.

Well, next time we will compare the model merge function.

Regards,

Vladka + Vaclav