Directions in modelling environments

Schema definition is a vital component in the development of computerised A/E/C projects, but existing tools to manage this task are limited both in terms of the scope of problems they can tackle and their integration with each other. This paper describes a global modelling and development environment for large modelling projects. This environment provides a total solution from initial design of schemas to validation, manipulation and navigation through final models. A major benefit of the described system is the ability to provide multiple views of evolving schemas (or models) in both graphical and textual forms. This allows modellers to visualise their schemas and instance models either textually or graphically as desired. The system automatically maintains the consistency of the information in these views even when modifications are made in other views. Simple and intuitive view navigation methods allow required information to be rapidly accessed. The environment supports strict checking of model instances and schemas in one of the major ISO-standardised modelling languages now used in product data technology. In this paper we show how such a modelling environment has been constructed for evaluation in the JOULE funded COMBINE project.