by Luc Hogie

lmu is a tool targetting the generation of high-quality UML class diagrams. lmu is based on a proprietary language dedicated to describing object-oriented models. Out of the object model description written by the user, lmu produces balanced highly aesthetic UML class diagrams.

In order to give you a rough idea of how lmu works, take a look at these two basic examples:

entity Client
has 1..n Account by composition own

entity Account
entity Mouse

entity Monkey

entity MyGeneticExperimentation
extends Mouse
extends Monkey

Producing UML class diagrams is just that easy! No need to perform thousands of mouse-click to get what you want: you get it in a few lines of code. Of course lmu does not define any limitation on the size of the model you want to draw. It has already successfully been applied to the production of PDF diagrams consisting of thousands classes!

The lmu project originates from the need to have better features than what is available in the highly respectable UMLGraph. lmu then exhibits:

  • more model-oriented features ;
  • a better description language ;
  • a graphical user interface working in a wysywyg manner ;
  • the transparent integration of the GraphViz toolkit ;
  • ...

    Please note that even if lmu is still under development, it is already very stable and fully functional.

    • First install GraphViz on your computer! Then you will need the jars here.
    Source code (maybe not the last version though) is here. Type the following command "java -jar Lmu.jar". Windows users can click on "lmu.bat". On startup, lmu will show an example model that you should use as a basis for your own model.

    Get the manual for lmu. Obviously the best place to start!

    Taking a look at the code samples will help you a lot.

    A graphical version of lmu is available. It is launched issuing the lmu -gui command. This is what it looks like:

    This tool is actually used for teaching purposes at the University of Luxembourg.

    lmu couldn't have been developed without the JFig/bean and GraphViz projects. Thank them very much.