Class Diagram Toolbox - Can't use any components

Question

Class Diagram Toolbox - Can't use any components

Ryan Kaye-Simmons 6

Hi all,

I am using Visual Studio 2019 (Version 16.11.17) and am trying to create a C++ Class Diagram.

When I try to use components from the Class Designer toolbox, I see that only 'Pointer', 'Comments' are available - all other components are greyed out and not useable.
I am also unable to use these toolbox components from the context menu (i.e. Right-click -> Add -> 'Comments' is only shown).

I have not been able to find the answer to this question on any Microsoft or SO thread.

Please help me use this tool!

Viorel 122.6K Reputation points

2022-08-09T06:07:29.883+00:00

Probably it is limited. You can drag the existing classes from Class View window, or drag files from Solution Explorer.

It has more features in case of C#, for example.
Ryan Kaye-Simmons 6 Reputation points

2022-08-09T06:17:35.093+00:00

Yes, I have done that and classes are able to infer basic things, like inheritance and display the inheritance arrows between classes.

But why would it be the case that we are limited in what we can use from the Class Designer toolbox?

Surely if these relationships can't be inferred by Visual Studio (i.e. if the code is too complex), then we could just add in Association, Enums, Modules.. etc.

I don't understand why there would be a restriction?

1 answer

Your answer

Viorel 122.6K Reputation points

2022-08-09T06:07:29.883+00:00

Probably it is limited. You can drag the existing classes from Class View window, or drag files from Solution Explorer.

It has more features in case of C#, for example.
Ryan Kaye-Simmons 6 Reputation points

2022-08-09T06:17:35.093+00:00

Yes, I have done that and classes are able to infer basic things, like inheritance and display the inheritance arrows between classes.

But why would it be the case that we are limited in what we can use from the Class Designer toolbox?

Surely if these relationships can't be inferred by Visual Studio (i.e. if the code is too complex), then we could just add in Association, Enums, Modules.. etc.

I don't understand why there would be a restriction?

Answer 1

Anna Xiu-MSFT 31,056 Microsoft External Staff

Hi @Ryan Kaye-Simmons ,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

It is designed like this.

For C++ project, the Class, Enum, etc. are disabled by default in Class Designer toolbox.

If you have any suggestion about the feature, you can upvote this ticket and directly report to product team.
https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/t/Class-Designer-for-C---Issue-with-VS20/980949?space=8&entry=problem&q=Class+Designer+toolbox

Sincerely,
Anna
*
If the answer is the right solution, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Ryan Kaye-Simmons 6 Reputation points

2022-08-10T23:37:39.747+00:00

Hi Anna,

It seems like such a small thing that I would be happy to even it fix it myself if I was given proper instruction on how to do so!

That ticket that you made reference to has been out for more than two years - how many upvotes would it actually take for the Visual Studio team to fix this issue?

Kind Regards,
Ryan
Anna Xiu-MSFT 31,056 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-08-19T09:37:11.77+00:00

Sorry for any inconvenience!

About new feature, Product Team needs to evaluate prioritization.
I will up-vote that ticket to help increase more user voices.

Share via

Class Diagram Toolbox - Can't use any components

1 answer

Your answer