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PivotPoint FAQ: How can I choose between MagicDraw and Cameo?

How can I choose between MagicDraw and Cameo architecture modeling tools?

MagicDraw™ and Cameo™ (Cameo Systems Modeler™ and Cameo Enterprise Architecture™) are architectural modeling tools offered by the No Magic Inc. subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes. Simply stated, Cameo is a rebranding of MagicDraw, No Magic's flagship UML tool for software-intensive applications, for Model-Based Systems Engineering applications that use SysML (a dialect of UML 2 adapted for systems engineering). These two complementary architecture modeling tools are compared and contrasted in more detail below.

In general, MagicDraw targets Software Engineers applying Model-Driven Development (MDD) methods using UML 2...

  • MagicDraw is NoMagic's flagship enterprise architecture modeling tool that supports a wide range of popular modeling languages (UML 2, SysML, BPMN 2, etc.) and is capable of automatic static code generation (classes and interfaces) for popular Object-Oriented Programming Languages (Java, C#, C++, etc.). It also supports a wide range of plugins for data modeling, model simulation and enterprise architecture frameworks (DoDAF 2, UPDM 2, TOGAF, etc.). MagicDraw is a popular choice for Software Engineers and Software Architects. See MagicDraw Editions for details.

In general, Cameo targets Systems Engineers applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods using SysML...

  • Cameo Systems Modeler™ (Cameo SM) is a collaborative Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) environment based on MagicDraw, where the Enterprise edition includes the SysML and Cameo Simulation Toolkit plugins, but does not include the Enterprise Architecture plugins bundled with Cameo Enterprise Architecture (Cameo EA; see below). Cameo SM is a popular choice for Systems Engineers seeking to simulate SysML system architecture models. See Cameo Systems Modeler Editions for details.
  • Cameo Enterprise Architecture™ (Cameo EA) is also based on MagicDraw, and includes plugins for SysML, Cameo Data Modeler, Cameo Business Modeler and various enterprise architecture frameworks (DoDAF 2, MODAF, NAF 3 and UAF), but does not include the Cameo Simulation Toolkit (Cameo SimTk) plugin. Cameo EA is a popular choice among Systems Engineers seeking to specify Enterprise Architecture Frameworks and data models with SysML, but are not necessarily interested in Modeling & Simulation. (The Cameo Simulation Toolkit is optional, not bundled, with Cameo EA). See Cameo Enterprise Architecture Editions for details.

For more information comparing Cameo SM vs Cameo EA see: PivotPoint FAQ: How can I choose between Cameo System Modeler & Cameo Enterprise Architecture modeling tools?.

A noteworthy exeception of the generalizations above...

  • Some organizations who need to support both Software Engineers using UML 2 and Systems Engineers using SysML choose to use MagicDraw with the optional SysML plugin, which makes MagicDraw a de facto SysML-compliant architecture modeling tool.

Contact us to discuss details regarding MagicDraw/Cameo tool branding and plugin choices, as well as MagicDraw tool training & Cameo tool training options.

For information comparing MagicDraw and Cameo with Sparx Enterprise Archtiect (Sparx EA) see: PivotPoint FAQ: How can I choose between Sparx EA and MagicDraw/Cameo architecture modeling tools?.

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