Core Linked.Archi Ontology for Diagrams and Visual Notation
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Core Linked.Archi Ontology for Diagrams and Visual Notation

Modified on: 2026-11-07
Revision:
0.7
Issued on:
2019-03-17
Authors:
Kalin Maldzhanski
Publisher:
Linked.Archi
See also:
https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis-shapes#
Download serialization:
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License:
http://insertlicenseURIhere.example.org
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Cite as:
Kalin Maldzhanski. Core Linked.Archi Ontology for Diagrams and Visual Notation. Revision: 0.7.
Provenance of this page
Ontology Specification Draft

Core Linked.Archi Ontology for Diagrams and Visual Notation: Overview back to ToC

This ontology has the following classes and properties.

Classes

Object Properties

Data Properties

Annotation Properties

Named Individuals

Core Linked.Archi Ontology for Diagrams and Visual Notation: Description back to ToC

Core Linked.Archi Ontology for Diagrams and Visual Notation. Provides vocabulary for diagram interchange (nodes, links, bounds) and visual styling (colors, fonts, shapes, icons). Used both at the instance level (diagram elements) and at the type level (default notation for model concepts via NotationSet).

Cross-reference for Core Linked.Archi Ontology for Diagrams and Visual Notation classes, object properties and data properties back to ToC

This section provides details for each class and property defined by Core Linked.Archi Ontology for Diagrams and Visual Notation.

Classes

ArchNodec back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#ArchNode

The appearance of a model element on a diagram: its arch-vis:archElement names the element. An element may be drawn by more than one ArchNode in one view — placed again to keep lines short — each a node of its own, moved, nested and removed on its own.
has super-classes
Node c
is in domain of
archElement op

Containerc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#ContainerNode

A shape on a diagram that stands for no model element: a group around what is drawn inside it (arch-vis:inNode), a pool, a lane — or a plain shape, a rectangle, an ellipse, a diamond, whose own arch-vis:style gives its arch-vis:shapeType. It carries no arch-vis:archElement. Its text, when it has one (a group's name), is its skos:prefLabel, language-tagged; its colours are its style's (arch-vis:fillColor, arch-vis:lineColor, arch-vis:fontColor). The ArchiMate exchange format's Container node is one.
has super-classes
Node c

Decorationc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Decoration

Enumeration of endpoint decorations for relationship connectors.
is in domain of
decorSymbol dp
is in range of
sourceDecor op, targetDecor op
has members
Closed Arrowhead ni, Dot ni, Filled Diamond ni, Half Arrowhead ni, Hollow Arrowhead ni, Hollow Diamond ni, No Decoration ni, Open Arrowhead ni

DiagElementc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#DiagElement

Anything that appears on a diagram — a shape, an edge or a routing point. The common superclass of Node, Link and Point, and the domain of the properties that apply to all three (arch-vis:view, arch-vis:label, styling).
has sub-classes
Link c, Node c, Point c
is in domain of
label op, style op, view op
is in range of
source op, target op

Gradientc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Gradient

Enumeration of the sides a fill shades from (arch-vis:gradient).
is in range of
gradient op
has members
Gradient Bottom ni, Gradient Left ni, Gradient Right ni, Gradient Top ni

IconPlacementc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#IconPlacement

Enumeration of positions within a shape: where its icon is placed (arch-vis:iconPlacement), or its picture (arch-vis:imagePosition).
is in range of
iconPlacement op, imagePosition op
has members
Bottom Center ni, Bottom Left ni, Bottom Right ni, Center ni, Fill ni, Middle Left ni, Middle Right ni, Top Center ni, Top Left ni, Top Right ni

LabelAnchorc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#LabelAnchor

Enumeration of where along a line its text sits (arch-vis:labelAnchor).
is in range of
labelAnchor op
has members
Anchor Middle ni, Anchor Source ni, Anchor Target ni

LabelExpressionc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#LabelExpression

What a concept's label says on a diagram, as text with placeholders (arch-vis:expression) — in one presentation context when it names one (core's arch:inPresentationContext), else in every one. The text is drawn as it is, but for what stands between braces: - {name}: the concept's name for the presentation context shown — its name for that audience (a skosxl:altLabel with that arch:inPresentationContext), else its skos:prefLabel; - {type}: the name of its type; - {prefix:local} or {<iri>}: the values of that property of the concept — a literal as it is (in the language shown, or with none), a resource by its name for the context shown — several joined by ", "; prefixes are those the vocabularies in use declare; {skos:prefLabel} is the canonical name; - a path: properties joined by /, each followed from the concept on, ^ before one to follow it backwards ({am:assignedTo/skos:prefLabel}, {^arch:target}); - {{ and }}: a brace. Its lines are the label's lines; a line whose placeholders all come to nothing is left out, so a line can be there only when the concept has what it shows.
is in domain of
expression dp
is in range of
labelExpression op

LabelNodec back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#LabelNode

Text on a diagram. Pointed at by another diagram element's arch-vis:label, it places that element's text apart from it — a relationship's name moved off the middle of its line — and the text is the name of what that element draws, unless the LabelNode gives its own as skos:prefLabel. Pointed at by none, it is free-standing text: a note, its text its skos:prefLabel, language-tagged, its colours its arch-vis:style's. The ArchiMate exchange format's Label node is one. Either way it stands for no model element and carries no arch-vis:archElement.
has super-classes
Node c
is in range of
label op

LineStylec back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#LineStyle

Enumeration of line rendering styles: for relationship connectors (arch-vis:lineStyle) and shape outlines (arch-vis:borderStyle).
is in range of
borderStyle op, lineStyle op
has members
Dashed Line ni, Dotted Line ni, Solid Line ni

List of pointsc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#PointList

List of points
has super-classes
is in range of
points op

Nodec back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Node

A shape on a diagram: it has bounds and may contain other nodes.
has super-classes
DiagElement c
has sub-classes
ArchNode c, Container c, LabelNode c
is in domain of
bounds h dp, bounds w dp, bounds x dp, bounds y dp, inNode op
is in range of
inNode op
is disjoint with
Link c, Point c

NotationSetc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#NotationSet

A named collection of visual notation descriptors for a modeling language. Multiple notation sets allow alternative visual representations (standard, simplified, monochrome, etc.) for the same metamodel. A Metamodel links to its available notation sets via arch:notationSet (the default set). PresentationContext concepts link to their preferred notation set via arch:usesNotationSet, enabling context-aware palette generation: Metamodel ──arch:notationSet──► NotationSet (default) PresentationContext ──arch:usesNotationSet──► NotationSet (context-specific) A palette generator determines the active PresentationContext, follows usesNotationSet to get the appropriate NotationSet, then queries VisualNotation instances within it.
is in range of
inNotationSet op

Pointc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Point

A single x/y waypoint on a Link's route.
has super-classes
DiagElement c
is in domain of
point x dp, point y dp
is disjoint with
Link c, Node c

RelationshipEndc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#RelationshipEnd

Enumeration of the two ends of a relationship: its source and its target.
is in range of
nestedEnd op
has members
SourceEnd ni, TargetEnd ni

RenderingModec back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#RenderingMode

How the element is visually composed from its shape and icon. See skos:scopeNote for the rendering algorithm.
Determines how a tool visually composes an element from its shape and icon. Each mode specifies a different rendering algorithm.
is in range of
renderingMode op
has members
Icon-Centric ni, Shape Only ni, Shape with Badge ni

ShapeTypec back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#ShapeType

Geometric shapes used for element rendering. The individuals below are drawn by every renderer; a notation declares any other shape it needs in its own namespace, with a fallback and its geometry (see arch-vis:fallbackShape).
is in domain of
contentBox dp, detailPath dp, fallbackShape op, labelBox dp, outlinePath dp, shapeVariables dp
is in range of
fallbackShape op, shapeType op
has members
Circle ni, Diamond ni, Ellipse ni, Hexagon ni, Octagon ni, Parallelogram ni, Rectangle ni, Rounded Rectangle ni

Stylec back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Style

Visual style applied to a diagram element (fill, line, font).
is in domain of
borderStyle op, defaultHeight dp, defaultWidth dp, fillColor dp, fontColor dp, fontName dp, fontSize dp, fontStyle dp, gradient op, iconColor dp, iconPlacement op, iconSymbol dp, image dp, imagePosition op, lineColor dp, lineWidth dp, renderingMode op, shapeType op, textAlignment op, textPosition op
is in range of
alternativeStyle op, defaultStyle op, style op

TextAlignmentc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#TextAlignment

Enumeration of where a node's text sits across it (arch-vis:textAlignment).
is in range of
textAlignment op
has members
Align Center ni, Align Left ni, Align Right ni

TextPositionc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#TextPosition

Enumeration of where a node's text sits down it (arch-vis:textPosition).
is in range of
textPosition op
has members
Position Bottom ni, Position Middle ni, Position Top ni

VisualNotationc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#VisualNotation

A structured visual notation descriptor for a single ModelConcept. Bundles a default Style (shape, color, icon) with the rendered composite image (arch:prefVisNotation). Used by palette generators and diagram editors to construct element renderings from primitives.
is in domain of
alternativeStyle op, defaultStyle op, inNotationSet op, nestedEnd op, notationFor op

Object Properties

alternativeStyleop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#alternativeStyle

Another figure the concept may be drawn as, besides its default Style (arch-vis:defaultStyle) — a business object, for example, as a box with its glyph or as a banded box. It says only what differs from the default: its shape type and rendering mode, an outline's style; colours and the glyph are the default's. A diagram element drawn as it says so on its own style (arch-vis:style) with the alternative's arch-vis:shapeType and arch-vis:renderingMode.
has domain
VisualNotation c
has range
Style c

archElementop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#archElement

has characteristics: functional

has domain
ArchNode c
has range
Element c

archRelationshipop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#archRelationship

Links a diagram Link to the qualified relationship resource it represents. Absent, the Link stands for no relationship: a line drawn on the diagram only.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Link c
has range
Qualified Relationship c

borderStyleop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#borderStyle

The line style of the shape's outline: solid when absent. ArchiMate's grouping is dashed.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
LineStyle c

defaultStyleop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#defaultStyle

Links a VisualNotation to its default Style — the construction recipe for rendering this concept. Contains shape type, colors, icon, and dimensions.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
VisualNotation c
has range
Style c

fallbackShapeop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#fallbackShape

The core shape (RoundedRectangle, Rectangle, Octagon, Ellipse, Circle, Hexagon, Diamond or Parallelogram) a renderer draws in place of a notation's own shape when it cannot draw that one.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
ShapeType c
has range
ShapeType c

gradientop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#gradient

The fill shades from its colour (arch-vis:fillColor) at the side named (arch-vis:GradientTop, GradientLeft, GradientRight, GradientBottom) to white at the opposite side. Absent, the fill is all one colour.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
Gradient c

iconPlacementop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#iconPlacement

Where the icon symbol is placed within the element shape.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
IconPlacement c

imagePositionop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#imagePosition

Where a node's picture (arch-vis:image) is drawn in it: a corner, the middle of a side, its centre, or arch-vis:Fill, the whole node. Absent, its top left.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
IconPlacement c

inNodeop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#inNode

The node this one is drawn inside, on the same diagram: a container. Moving the container moves what is in it, and it stays large enough to hold it. Stated by the nested node, as membership is (arch:inView). Bounds stay in the diagram's coordinates, not the container's. Nesting is drawing: what it means in the model, if anything, is a relationship of its own (see arch-vis:nestedEnd).

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Node c
has range
Node c

inNotationSetop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#inNotationSet

Links a VisualNotation to the NotationSet it belongs to.
has domain
VisualNotation c
has range
NotationSet c

labelop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#label

The LabelNode carrying this diagram element's rendered text. Domain is DiagElement, not Node: both shapes and edges are labellable. BPMN declares BPMNShape-label and BPMNEdge-label as separate composite properties, and a named sequence flow — an edge with a label — is the ordinary case, not an edge case. Narrowing the domain to Node would entail, through the domain axiom, that every labelled edge is also a Node, which arch-vis:NodeLinkPointDisjoint now reports as an inconsistency.
has domain
DiagElement c
has range
LabelNode c

labelAnchorop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#labelAnchor

Where along a line its text sits — a relationship's name, or what a line standing for no relationship says: near its source end, at its middle, or near its target end. Of a relationship type's lines, said on its notation or its notation's default style; of one line, on that Link's own style (arch-vis:style). Absent, at the middle. Where the Link has an arch-vis:label — its text moved by hand — the text is drawn there.

has characteristics: functional

has range
LabelAnchor c

labelExpressionop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#labelExpression

What a concept's label says on a diagram (an arch-vis:LabelExpression), in place of its name alone: on a diagram element's own style (arch-vis:style), that element's; on a concept's VisualNotation, every element of that concept's drawn with the notation; on a presentation context (a concept of a metamodel's arch:presentationContextScheme), every element shown in that context that nothing else says for. The first that applies wins, in this order: 1. the diagram element's own, for the context shown (arch:inPresentationContext); 2. the diagram element's own, for every context; 3. its concept's notation's, for the context shown; 4. its concept's notation's, for every context; 5. the context's; with none, the label is the concept's name for the context shown.
has range
LabelExpression c

lineStyleop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#lineStyle

The line rendering style (solid, dashed, dotted): of a relationship type's lines, said on its notation or its notation's default style; or of one line, said on that Link's own style (arch-vis:style) — a line standing for no relationship, a note's to what it is about, whose look is its own.

has characteristics: functional

has range
LineStyle c

nestedEndop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#nestedEnd

On a relationship's notation: the relationship may be drawn by nesting one end inside the other (arch-vis:inNode) instead of a line, and this is the end drawn inside. A composition's part inside its whole is arch-vis:TargetEnd; ArchiMate's specialized element inside the generic one is arch-vis:SourceEnd; a relationship nesting may draw either way has both. Absent, nesting does not draw the relationship.
has domain
VisualNotation c
has range
RelationshipEnd c

notationForop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#notationFor

Links a VisualNotation descriptor to the ModelConcept it describes.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
VisualNotation c
has range
Model Concept c

pointsop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#points

The ordered list of points of a link's route, in the diagram's coordinates. The first and last are its ends — where it meets its nodes — when they lie on their nodes' outlines; otherwise they are bends, and the line runs from each node to them, meeting the node's outline where a line laid out without them would. A route of bends alone is how the ArchiMate exchange format has it; a route with its ends, how BPMN DI has it. One point is one bend.
has domain
Link c
has range
List of points c

renderingModeop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#renderingMode

How the element is visually composed from its shape and icon. Determines the rendering algorithm a tool should use: - ShapeWithBadge: colored shape with a small icon badge (ArchiMate standard) - IconCentric: the icon IS the element, label rendered below (AWS/Azure/GCP style) - ShapeOnly: colored shape with label, no icon (simplified notation)

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
RenderingMode c

shapeTypeop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#shapeType

The geometric shape used to render the element (e.g., rounded rectangle, hexagon, circle).

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
ShapeType c

sourceop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#source

The diagram element a Link starts from: a Node, or another Link where the relationship the Link draws starts at a relationship.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Link c
has range
DiagElement c

sourceDecorop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#sourceDecor

The decoration at a line's source end: of a relationship type's lines, said on its notation or its notation's default style; or of one line, said on that Link's own style, as for arch-vis:lineStyle.

has characteristics: functional

has range
Decoration c

styleop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#style

How a diagram element looks. It has at most one style for every presentation context — one without core's arch:inPresentationContext — and at most one for each context. Drawn for a context, it takes its style for every context, overlaid value by value by its style for that context; drawn for none, its style for every context alone. A diagram element with one style looks the same to everyone.
has domain
DiagElement c
has range
Style c

targetop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#target

The diagram element a Link ends at: a Node, or another Link where the relationship the Link draws ends at a relationship.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Link c
has range
DiagElement c

targetDecorop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#targetDecor

The decoration at a line's target end: of a relationship type's lines, said on its notation or its notation's default style; or of one line, said on that Link's own style, as for arch-vis:lineStyle.

has characteristics: functional

has range
Decoration c

textAlignmentop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#textAlignment

Where a node's text sits across it: from its left, centred, or to its right. Absent, the renderer's choice — centred, for an element.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
TextAlignment c

textPositionop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#textPosition

Where a node's text sits down it: from its top, in its middle, or at its bottom. Absent, the renderer's choice.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
TextPosition c

viewop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#view

The arch:View this diagram element belongs to. Every DiagElement has exactly one.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
DiagElement c
has range
View c

Data Properties

dp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#bounds-h

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Node c
has range
double

dp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#bounds-w

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Node c
has range
double

dp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#bounds-x

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Node c
has range
double

dp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#bounds-y

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Node c
has range
double

contentBoxdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#contentBox

Where the badge and the label go: "x y width height", each a number or an {expression} (below a band, on a 3D box's front face). The whole shape when absent.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
ShapeType c
has range
string

decorSymboldp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#decorSymbol

URI of the SVG marker symbol for this decoration (typically a small arrow or diamond shape). The symbol is drawn pointing in the +x direction, towards the endpoint it decorates. The connector meets it at the middle of the right edge of its viewBox, so a renderer anchors that point on the endpoint and orients the symbol along the connector; at a source end it mirrors the symbol, so that it points at the source. Strokes and fills that take the connector's colour are currentColor; a hollow symbol's interior is white. The published symbols use a 12 x 12 viewBox, drawn at that size in user units.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Decoration c
has range
any U R I

defaultHeightdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#defaultHeight

Default height in logical units for palette rendering.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
double

defaultWidthdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#defaultWidth

Default width in logical units for palette rendering.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
double

detailPathdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#detailPath

Lines drawn over the outline, as a path template — a band, a tab, a 3D box's front edges, a cylinder's rim: stroked with the line colour, not filled, and not part of the outline connectors meet.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
ShapeType c
has range
string

expressiondp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#expression

A label expression's text, its placeholders between braces (see arch-vis:LabelExpression).

has characteristics: functional

has domain
LabelExpression c
has range
string

fillColordp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#fillColor

A CSS colour string — #rrggbb, #rrggbbaa, rgb() or rgba(), e.g. #fff7b3, or rgba(255,247,179,0.5) half transparent. Its alpha is CSS's, from 0 (transparent) to 1 (opaque); opaque when it has none. Converters before core-vis 0.7 wrote the ArchiMate exchange format's alpha as it is, a percentage (rgba(255,247,179,100)); a reader may take an alpha above 1 as one.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
string

fontColordp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#fontColor

Colour of the element's label, as a CSS colour string (its alpha CSS's, as arch-vis:fillColor's). When it is absent a renderer draws the label in the line colour (arch-vis:lineColor).

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
string

fontNamedp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#fontName

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
string

fontSizedp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#fontSize

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
integer

fontStyledp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#fontStyle

How the text is set: one or more of the keywords bold, italic and underline, separated by spaces ("bold", "bold italic"), as the ArchiMate exchange format's font style lists them. Plain when absent.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
string

iconColordp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#iconColor

Colour of the glyph drawn for an element (arch-vis:iconSymbol) — its badge, or its icon — as a CSS colour string: the glyph's opaque lines are drawn in it. Absent, the glyph is drawn as published.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
string

iconSymboldp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#iconSymbol

URI of the small glyph/icon displayed within the element shape (typically top-right corner). The glyph is drawn over the shape as it is: its lines are opaque and the parts that show the element's fill are transparent, so one glyph serves every fill colour and notation set. On a diagram element's own style (arch-vis:style) it is that element's own icon, in place of its notation's glyph: a picture drawn as the figure itself with arch-vis:IconCentric, or as its badge with arch-vis:ShapeWithBadge. A diagram element drawn arch-vis:IconCentric with no icon of its own shows its model element's picture for the presentation context shown, when it has one (see arch-vis:IconCentric).

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
any U R I

imagedp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#image

URI of a picture drawn inside a node, at arch-vis:imagePosition: over its fill, under its text and its glyph. An http(s) URL, or a data: URI of an image for a small picture kept in the model. The picture is drawn at its own size, made smaller to fit the node; at arch-vis:Fill, scaled to the node's bounds. The node's glyph is drawn as its rendering mode says. A picture standing for the figure itself is the node's own arch-vis:iconSymbol, drawn arch-vis:IconCentric.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
any U R I

labelBoxdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#labelBox

Where the label goes when that is not the content box, as "x y width height": a folder's name in its tab. The label takes as many lines as the box is tall enough for.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
ShapeType c
has range
string

lineColordp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#lineColor

A CSS colour string, its alpha CSS's (0–1), as arch-vis:fillColor's.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
string

lineWidthdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#lineWidth

Width of the lines drawn — a node's outline, a link's line — in the diagram's units, as its bounds are. 1 when absent; 1, 2 and 3 are a normal, medium and heavy line, the values the exchange format's style lineWidth carries.

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Style c
has range
integer

outlinePathdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#outlinePath

The shape's outline, as a path template: filled with the element's fill colour, stroked with its line colour, and what connectors meet. It may have several closed parts (a person's head and body).

has characteristics: functional

has domain
ShapeType c
has range
string

dp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#point-x

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Point c
has range
double

dp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#point-y

has characteristics: functional

has domain
Point c
has range
double

shapeVariablesdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#shapeVariables

Named values a shape's templates use, as assignments separated by semicolons and evaluated in order, each able to use the ones before it: "b = min(h * 0.173, 14); t = 2 * b".

has characteristics: functional

has domain
ShapeType c
has range
string

Annotation Properties

creatorap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/creator

definitionap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#definition

descriptionap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/description

domain Includesap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core#domainIncludes

history Noteap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#historyNote

issuedap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/issued

licenseap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://creativecommons.org/ns#license

modifiedap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/modified

pref Labelap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#prefLabel

preferred Namespace Prefixap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/vocab/vann/preferredNamespacePrefix

preferred Namespace Uriap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/vocab/vann/preferredNamespaceUri

publisherap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/publisher

scope Noteap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core#scopeNote

titleap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/title

Named Individuals

Align Centerni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#AlignCenter

Each line of the text is centred across the node.
belongs to
TextAlignment c

Align Leftni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#AlignLeft

Each line of the text starts at the node's left.
belongs to
TextAlignment c

Align Rightni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#AlignRight

Each line of the text ends at the node's right.
belongs to
TextAlignment c

Anchor Middleni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#AnchorMiddle

The text sits at the middle of the line.
belongs to
LabelAnchor c

Anchor Sourceni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#AnchorSource

The text sits on the line near its source end.
belongs to
LabelAnchor c

Anchor Targetni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#AnchorTarget

The text sits on the line near its target end.
belongs to
LabelAnchor c

Bottom Centerni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#BottomCenter

Icon placed at the bottom center of the shape.
belongs to
IconPlacement c

Bottom Leftni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#BottomLeft

Placed in the bottom-left corner of the shape.
belongs to
IconPlacement c

Bottom Rightni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#BottomRight

Placed in the bottom-right corner of the shape.
belongs to
IconPlacement c

Centerni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Center

Icon placed at the center of the shape.
belongs to
IconPlacement c

Circleni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Circle

Perfect circle — used for junctions and connectors.
belongs to
ShapeType c

Closed Arrowheadni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#ClosedArrowhead

Filled (closed) arrowhead pointing at the endpoint — ArchiMate's triggering, flow and assignment.
belongs to
Decoration c
has facts
decorSymbol dp https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis/markers/closed-arrowhead.svg

Dashed Lineni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#DashedLine

belongs to
LineStyle c

Diamondni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Diamond

Rotated square — used for decision points.
belongs to
ShapeType c

Dotni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#CircleDot

A small filled circle at the end of the connector — ArchiMate's assignment, at the source end.
belongs to
Decoration c
has facts
decorSymbol dp https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis/markers/circle-dot.svg

Dotted Lineni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#DottedLine

belongs to
LineStyle c

Ellipseni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Ellipse

Oval/ellipse shape — used for values, junctions.
belongs to
ShapeType c

Fillni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Fill

Scaled to the shape's bounds, filling it: a node's picture (arch-vis:imagePosition).
belongs to
IconPlacement c

Filled Diamondni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#FilledDiamond

Filled diamond — used for composition.
belongs to
Decoration c
has facts
decorSymbol dp https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis/markers/filled-diamond.svg

Gradient Bottomni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#GradientBottom

The fill colour at the bottom, white at the top.
belongs to
Gradient c

Gradient Leftni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#GradientLeft

The fill colour at the left, white at the right.
belongs to
Gradient c

Gradient Rightni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#GradientRight

The fill colour at the right, white at the left.
belongs to
Gradient c

Gradient Topni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#GradientTop

The fill colour at the top, white at the bottom.
belongs to
Gradient c

Half Arrowheadni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#HalfArrowhead

Half (one-sided) arrowhead, one barb only.
belongs to
Decoration c
has facts
decorSymbol dp https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis/markers/half-arrowhead.svg

Hexagonni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Hexagon

Six-sided polygon — used for events in some notations.
belongs to
ShapeType c

Hollow Arrowheadni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#HollowArrowhead

Hollow (white-filled) arrowhead — ArchiMate's realization and specialization.
belongs to
Decoration c
has facts
decorSymbol dp https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis/markers/hollow-arrowhead.svg

Hollow Diamondni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#HollowDiamond

Hollow diamond — used for aggregation.
belongs to
Decoration c
has facts
decorSymbol dp https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis/markers/hollow-diamond.svg

Icon-Centricni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#IconCentric

The icon IS the element — rendered at full size with the label below. Used for vendor icon sets (AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes) where the icon itself is the primary visual identity.
belongs to
RenderingMode c
has facts
definition ap "The icon IS the element — rendered at full size with the label below. Used for vendor icon sets (AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes) where the icon itself is the primary visual identity."@en
pref Label ap "Icon-Centric"@en
scope Note ap "Algorithm: 1. Render iconSymbol at full size (defaultWidth × defaultHeight) centered in bounds 2. Draw minimal container/border (optional, for selection/hover state) using lineColor 3. Render label (skos:prefLabel) BELOW the icon, not inside a shape 4. fillColor applies to container background only (often transparent/white) 5. iconPlacement MUST be Center for this mode Visual layout: ┌────────┐ │ [☁️] │ ← iconSymbol rendered at full size └────────┘ Element Label ← label below, not inside shape Requires: iconSymbol MUST be present. If absent, fall back to ShapeOnly with warning. Used by: AWS Architecture Icons, Azure service icons, GCP icons, Kubernetes. The icon of a diagram element drawn so, in this order: the arch-vis:iconSymbol of its own style (for the presentation context shown, else for every context); its model element's picture for that context — its core arch:altVisNotation with that arch:inPresentationContext, else its arch:prefVisNotation; its notation's arch-vis:iconSymbol. A model element's picture is drawn only so: in arch-vis:ShapeWithBadge the badge stays the notation's glyph, which says the element's type."@en

Middle Leftni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#MiddleLeft

Placed at the middle of the shape's left side.
belongs to
IconPlacement c

Middle Rightni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#MiddleRight

Placed at the middle of the shape's right side.
belongs to
IconPlacement c

No Decorationni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#NoDecoration

belongs to
Decoration c

Octagonni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Octagon

Eight-sided polygon — used for motivation elements in some notations.
belongs to
ShapeType c

Open Arrowheadni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#OpenArrowhead

Open (unfilled) arrowhead pointing at the endpoint.
belongs to
Decoration c
has facts
decorSymbol dp https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis/markers/open-arrowhead.svg

Parallelogramni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Parallelogram

Slanted rectangle — used for interfaces in some notations.
belongs to
ShapeType c

Position Bottomni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#PositionBottom

The text ends at the node's bottom.
belongs to
TextPosition c

Position Middleni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#PositionMiddle

The text is centred down the node.
belongs to
TextPosition c

Position Topni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#PositionTop

The text starts at the node's top.
belongs to
TextPosition c

Rectangleni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#Rectangle

Sharp-cornered rectangle.
belongs to
ShapeType c

Rounded Rectangleni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#RoundedRectangle

Rectangle with rounded corners — the default ArchiMate element shape.
belongs to
ShapeType c

Shape Onlyni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#ShapeOnly

Colored shape with the element label centered, no icon. Used for executive-level views, monochrome printing, or when visual simplicity is preferred.
belongs to
RenderingMode c
has facts
definition ap "Colored shape with the element label centered, no icon. Used for executive-level views, monochrome printing, or when visual simplicity is preferred."@en
pref Label ap "Shape Only"@en
scope Note ap "Algorithm: 1. Draw shape (shapeType) at defaultWidth × defaultHeight 2. Fill with fillColor, stroke with lineColor 3. Center the label (skos:prefLabel) in the shape 4. Do NOT render any icon — ignore iconSymbol and iconPlacement entirely 5. Optionally reduce dimensions for a more compact appearance Visual layout: ┌──────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Element Label │ ← label only, no icon │ │ └──────────────────────┘ filled with fillColor Used by: Executive dashboards, printed reports, accessibility-focused views."@en

Shape with Badgeni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#ShapeWithBadge

Colored geometric shape with a small icon badge in one corner and the element label centered. The shape and fill color carry the primary visual identity; the icon is a secondary classifier.
belongs to
RenderingMode c
has facts
definition ap "Colored geometric shape with a small icon badge in one corner and the element label centered. The shape and fill color carry the primary visual identity; the icon is a secondary classifier."@en
pref Label ap "Shape with Badge"@en
scope Note ap "Algorithm: 1. Draw shape (shapeType) at defaultWidth × defaultHeight 2. Fill with fillColor, stroke with lineColor 3. Center the label (skos:prefLabel) in the shape 4. Render iconSymbol as a small badge (16-24px) at iconPlacement position 5. If no iconSymbol → render as ShapeOnly (no badge) Visual layout: ┌──────────────────────┐ │ [⚙] │ ← iconSymbol at iconPlacement (e.g., TopRight) │ │ │ Element Label │ ← skos:prefLabel, centered │ │ └──────────────────────┘ filled with fillColor Used by: ArchiMate, BPMN, UML standard notations."@en

Solid Lineni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#SolidLine

belongs to
LineStyle c

SourceEndni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#SourceEnd

The end a relationship goes from (arch:source).
belongs to
RelationshipEnd c

TargetEndni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#TargetEnd

The end a relationship goes to (arch:target).
belongs to
RelationshipEnd c

Top Centerni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#TopCenter

Icon placed at the top center of the shape.
belongs to
IconPlacement c

Top Leftni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#TopLeft

Icon placed in the top-left corner of the shape.
belongs to
IconPlacement c

Top Rightni back to ToC or Named Individual ToC

IRI: https://meta.linked.archi/core-vis#TopRight

Icon placed in the top-right corner of the shape (ArchiMate default).
belongs to
IconPlacement c

Legend back to ToC

c: Classes
op: Object Properties
dp: Data Properties
ni: Named Individuals

Acknowledgments back to ToC

The authors would like to thank Silvio Peroni for developing LODE, a Live OWL Documentation Environment, which is used for representing the Cross Referencing Section of this document and Daniel Garijo for developing Widoco, the program used to create the template used in this documentation.