64
votes

I have installed Visio 2013 Standard and I'm trying to create an UML diagram.

I choose the "UML class" template but when it opens, the Shapes panel is empty. As recomended, I go to "More Shapes" menu, but cannot find anything related to UML.

Have anyone had this problem and got a solution?

Thanks

10

10 Answers

34
votes

Software & Database is usually not in the Standard edition of Visio, only the Pro version.

Try looking here for some templates that will work in standard edition

23
votes

I had the same problem with Visio 2016. I have the standard license. I think it is very strange that you can select a "UML Sequence" template when you search for it but it then opens a blank canvas without shapes. So you don't see anything and can't select the shapes under the "More Shapes" window on the side.

So I searched the shapes in the installation directory of Visio. I found in the directory C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\Visio Content\1033 a couple of Sequence diagram templates (ie: BASIC_UMLSEQUENCE_M.VSTX). They are using the stencil USEQME_M.vssx. I found that out by right clicking the shapes in the left window and select "Save as". I saved them in "My Documents" under "My Shapes" just like custom shapes. I can than use them in any new document that I want.

Note the capital M or U in the name of the template or stencil for US Units or Metric Units. I'm from the Netherlands so I'm using the M version.

A not really friendly way to get the shapes. But it works.

17
votes

Microsoft is moving away from software and database diagramming using Visio and instead transitioning into Visual Studio. See the "Modeling" Projects. Component Diagrams, Sequence Diagrams, Use Cases, Layer Diagrams are all part of the modeling project. While I am experimenting with it (but question its viability), you can generate code from the models creating in the code generation sense.

See also this post Pet Shop Models as well as the MSDN documentation: Modeling the Architectural

Here's what I have available in vs2013 ultimate Pet Shop Project

9
votes

Microsoft Visio 2013 Standard Edition does not provide UML shapes, you have to upgrade to Microsoft Visio 2013 Professional.

Visio 2013 Professional

7
votes

CTRL+N-- to open a new document.

Right Edge find "MORE SHAPES" then "SOFTWARES AND DATABASES" and finaly "SOFTWARES". All UML DIAGRAMS are available here.

5
votes

Please check this KB article : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2259709 This issue occurs because Visio 2013 uses new UML and database modeling templates that are not used by Visio 2010 or by earlier versions of Visio. And it applies to both :

"Microsoft Visio Professional 2013" and "Microsoft Visio Standard 2013"

So upgrading to Pro might not help as well.

4
votes

If you don't find Stencils you can locate them in your install location. C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\Visio Content\1033 for UML Sequcen Stencies you can open

3
votes

If you don't see stencils creating new document with a template you may open the template directly. In my case they are located at 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\Visio Content\1049\' Last foler name varies regarding locale, I guess. UML template is named 'DBUML_M.VSTX'

1
votes

I think because it's Standard's ver.

I don't know if you write your code in VS. But if you did, just go to ARCHITECTURE - new Diagram. & choose yours, & the VS 'll take the care of the rest :)

1
votes

If you are looking for UML sequence diagrams, try searching for UML Sequence in the search box and add them.

  • Search for UML Sequence in the search box -> Select all shapes and add to My shapes (user defined name).

You can either browse through My shapes to access them. They will be available in the in the sidebar nevertheless once you search.