Metadata are structures that describe data. (See Chapter 33, Metadata) At first, each edge is displayed as a dashed line. Only after metadata has been created and assigned or propagated to the edge, the line becomes solid.
You can create metadata as shown in corresponding sections below; however, you can also double-click the empty (dashed) edge and select Create metadata from the menu, or link some existing external metadata file by selecting Link shared metadata.
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Figure 32.2. Creating Metadata on an empty Edge
You can also assign metadata to an edge by right-clicking the edge, choosing the
item from the context menu and selecting the desired metadata from the list.Third way to add metadata to an edge is to drag a metadata's entry from the Outline onto the edge.
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Figure 32.3. Assigning Metadata to an Edge
You can also select metadata to be automatically assigned to edges as you create them. You choose this by right-clicking on the edge tool in the Palette and then selecting the metadata you want, or none if you want to remove the selection.