This tutorial is based on the official Visual Paradigm product demo video, demonstrating how to use the AI-powered Chatbot to create and iteratively refine a C4 Component Diagram for a car park booking system. The C4 model (Context, Containers, Components, and Code) is a popular approach for visualizing software architecture, and the Component level focuses on the internal structure of a container, showing components and their relationships.
Visual Paradigm’s AI Chatbot allows you to generate professional diagrams using natural language prompts, refine them conversationally, and import the final result into Visual Paradigm Desktop or Online for further editing. This process saves time and makes architectural diagramming accessible even without deep expertise in C4 notation.
Key Concepts of C4 Diagrams
1. Levels of Abstraction
The C4 model divides software architecture into four levels, each representing a different level of detail:
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Level 1: System Context Diagram
- Purpose: Shows the big picture of the system and its interactions with external entities (users, other systems).
- Components: The system as a single box, external actors, and their interactions.
- Example: A web application interacting with users and external APIs.
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Level 2: Container Diagram
- Purpose: Breaks down the system into containers (e.g., web servers, databases, microservices).
- Components: Containers, their responsibilities, and interactions.
- Example: A web server container, database container, and API container.
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Level 3: Component Diagram
- Purpose: Further decomposes containers into components (e.g., classes, modules, services).
- Components: Components, their responsibilities, and interactions.
- Example: User service, order service, and payment service within a container.
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Level 4: Code Diagram
- Purpose: Shows the implementation details of components (e.g., classes, interfaces, methods).
- Components: Classes, interfaces, methods, and their relationships.
- Example: Class diagrams showing methods and attributes.
2. Core Elements
- Containers: Represent deployable units (e.g., web servers, databases, microservices).
- Components: Represent logical units within containers (e.g., services, modules).
- Relationships: Represent interactions between containers and components (e.g., HTTP requests, database queries).
3. Benefits of C4 Diagrams
- Simplicity: Easy to understand and create, even for non-technical stakeholders.
- Clarity: Provides a clear view of the system at different levels of detail.
- Collaboration: Facilitates communication between developers, architects, and business stakeholders.
- Documentation: Serves as a living documentation of the software architecture.
4. Example Use Case
System Context Diagram:
- System: Online Shopping Platform
- Actors: Customer, Payment Gateway, Shipping Service
- Interactions: Customer places orders, Payment Gateway processes payments, Shipping Service handles delivery.
Container Diagram:
- Containers: Web Server, Database, Payment Service, Shipping Service
- Interactions: Web Server communicates with Database, Payment Service, and Shipping Service.
Component Diagram:
- Components: User Service, Order Service, Payment Service, Shipping Service
- Interactions: User Service interacts with Order Service, which interacts with Payment and Shipping Services.
Code Diagram:
- Classes: User, Order, Payment, Shipping
- Methods:
createOrder(),processPayment(),shipOrder()
- C4 Diagrams provide a hierarchical view of software architecture at four levels: System Context, Container, Component, and Code.
- They help visualize and communicate complex software structures simply and effectively.
- C4 Diagrams are versatile and can be used for various types of software systems, from monolithic applications to microservices architectures.
Prerequisites
- Access to Visual Paradigm (Desktop edition with active maintenance or Visual Paradigm Online subscription for full AI features).
- A free trial is available at visual-paradigm.com/download/ to test the AI Chatbot.
Step 1: Launch the AI Chatbot
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Go to the Tools menu.
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Select Chatbot (or look for the AI Chatbot icon in the toolbar/interface).
This opens the AI Chatbot interface in a sidebar or dedicated window. The chatbot is context-aware and specialized in diagramming standards like C4, UML, and more.
Step 2: Generate the Initial C4 Component Diagram
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In the chat input field, describe the system and specify the diagram type.
Example Prompt: “Generate a C4 component diagram for a simple car park booking system.”
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Press Enter or send the message.
The AI will process the prompt and generate an initial diagram, displaying it directly in the interface.
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To view the full details:
- Click the full screen button (usually an expand icon on the diagram preview).
Review the generated components, such as:
- Booking Service
- Payment Processor
- User Profile Service
- Parking Database
- Traffic Light Control System (or similar vacancy indicators)
- Connections showing data flows and interactions.
The initial diagram provides a solid starting point based on common patterns for such a system.
Step 3: Remove Redundant Elements
Generated diagrams may include logical but unnecessary components based on your specific requirements.
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Identify redundancies (e.g., if user data is already stored in the main database, a separate user profile service might be redundant).
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Send a natural language command to remove it.
Example Prompt: “Remove the User Profile Service because the Parking Database already stores user data.”
The chatbot updates the diagram instantly, removing the component and adjusting any related connections.
Step 4: Rename Elements for Clarity
If a component name is ambiguous, outdated, or not aligned with your terminology, rename it.
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Spot confusing labels (e.g., “Traffic Light Control System” might better be described as a vacancy indicator).
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Instruct the chatbot to rename.
Example Prompt: “Rename the ‘Traffic Light Control System’ to ‘Vacancy Indicator System’.”
The AI applies the change across the diagram, updating labels and descriptions.
Step 5: Fix Connectivity and Relationships
Renaming or removing elements can sometimes leave loose ends or incorrect relationships.
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Review connections after changes.
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If a component (like the newly renamed Vacancy Indicator System) lacks proper links, ask the chatbot to resolve it.
Example Prompt: “Fix the connections for the Vacancy Indicator System to ensure it’s properly integrated.”
The chatbot analyzes the current diagram and updates relationships, ensuring logical flows (e.g., linking it to the booking service or database).
You can iterate further with additional refinements, such as:
- Adding new components: “Add a Notification Service for booking confirmations.”
- Adjusting technologies: “Make the database use PostgreSQL.”
- Requesting suggestions: “What improvements would you suggest for this diagram?”
Step 6: Finalize and Import the Diagram
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Once satisfied with the diagram, review it in full screen one last time.
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Click the Import to Visual Paradigm button (or similar option in the chatbot interface).
The diagram is seamlessly imported into your current project in Visual Paradigm Desktop/Online, where you can:
- Perform advanced manual edits (e.g., adjust layouts, add annotations).
- Export to PDF, PNG, or other formats.
- Integrate into larger C4 models (e.g., link to Container or Context diagrams).
Tips for Best Results
- Be specific in prompts: Include details like technologies (e.g., “Use REST APIs for communication”) or constraints.
- Iterate conversationally: The chatbot maintains context across messages, so build on previous responses.
- Combine with other C4 levels: After the Component diagram, ask for a Container or Context view.
- Trial limitations: Free/trial mode has usage quotas; upgrade for unlimited access.
This AI-driven approach transforms traditional diagramming from manual drag-and-drop into an efficient, conversational process—ideal for architects, developers, and teams documenting software systems.
For more tutorials, visit the Visual Paradigm YouTube channel or blog. Start experimenting today with the car park booking system example!
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