Extending UML for modeling of multimedia applications

An analysis of how visual modeling of structure and dynamic behavior of a multimedia application differs from modeling conventional software shows that aspects of the graphical user interface and time-dynamic behavior ought to be integral parts of a coherent multimedia application model. In this sense, we extend the model-view-controller paradigm towards multimedia. As a result, we present OMMMA-L, a visual language for the object-oriented modeling of multimedia applications, that is based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML). The structural and behavioral diagram types of UML have been analyzed and are adapted and extended according to multimedia application characteristics. A presentation diagram is introduced and integrated to adequately describe the visual presentation. In addition to explaining the different diagram types, we also give pragmatic guidelines on how to deploy and combine the various diagrams.