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UML tools

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Modelling tools are a central aspect of model-driven development. In particular UML tools play an important role, although DSL tools also are important in this arena. 

UML tools are available in many shapes and sizes, not to mention different price ranges and usage policies.  Currently, late 2006, all (most) every tool vendor provides UML 2.0 (or now 2.1) support.  Most of the tools listed here have some sense of UML 2.x support. There are also a wide range of UML1.x modelling and drawing tools out there (commercial and free), which are not mentioned here

Open source UML tools (not too much to choose from here...)

  • topcased: An open source initiative that develops metamodelling and modelling tools. Will support UML2.x as one of its notations. It is based on Eclipse EMF, GMF, and UML2. Available in rapid updated. Now in version 0.11.0.
  • Papyrus UML is an open source UML2 modelling tool based on Eclipse EMF and GEF. It is based on the Eclipse UML2 model and supports standard Diagram Interchange format for diagram representation. In version 1.5.0 (April 2007) it supports Classes, Composites, Use Case, Deployment, and State Machine diagrams.
  • The Eclipse UML2 Tool provides a GMF-based implementation of UML2 diagramming for the UML2 model.
  • Good old ArgoUML is still stuck in the UML 1.4 age. StarUML claims they will support UML2 at some point, but currently don't.

Free for use "Community/Personal Edition" UML tools

Commercial tools - cheaper scale

  • MagicDraw 12.x supports full UML2. Also provides pluging for SysML and a lot of additional features. A likeable tool to an affordable price (starts at $145).
  • Enterprise Architect 6.5 supports full UML 2.1. EA also provides a SysML plugin. Prices from $135.  
  • Poseidon 5.x. - Poseidon used to have a freely available community edition, but has no more. Their retail price for a standard edition starts at €199. They also have a software renting model (€5 a month). They seem to lack parts of UML2 in their implementation (e.g. Composite Structures). Apollo for Eclipse is a new GMF-based  tool which also is available at through the rent subscription model (€5/month).
  • Visual Paradigm for UML. An affordable UML2.1 tool (starts at $59). A free community edition (with limited diagrams per diagram type!) is available.
  • Altova UModel, a UML 2 tool  from the XML people. Seems to support UML2 diagram types. Starts at $99.

Commercial tools - expensive scale: 

  • Objecteering 6 comes with full UML2 support, but still with the good old Objecteering interface... Starting price €990. Also comes in a free community edition.
  • Omondo EclipseUML (2.1) is a pure Eclipse-based UML tool, based on EMF and  the UML2 API.  Prices from €1190. Also comes in a free edition.
  • Borland Together Architect/Designer/Developer 2006. Supports UML2, OCL and QVT.
  • Rhapsody from ILogix. A real-time tool, now with UML 2.0 support. For C, C++ and Ada (ILogix and Telelogic has now joined forces).
  • Telelogic TAU Generation 3.0. Originally a real-time tool, with full UML 2.0 support.. Starts at $1495 for single user license.
  • IBM Rational Software Architect/Modeller (RSA/RSM) , supports UML 2.0, integrated with Eclipse or WSAD. Pricing starts from €1290 for a single user modeller. 
  • Artisan Real time Studio, another UML 2.0 / Real time modelling environment, with support for the OMF SysML standard. 

Tool links from others