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WOLips encapsulates the functionality of EOGenerator so that the Java classes can be generated from within Eclipse. WOLips can create an .eogen definition for you when the model is created or you can create one after the model has been created by going to File - New - Other... and selecting EOGenerator. To use the WOLips built-in option, see Velocity EOGenerator.
Install and Configure EOGenerator
Before you can generate Java classes you will need to download (from http://www.rubicode.com/Software/EOGenerator/) and install EOGenerator. EOGenerator is not part of Eclipse or WOLips. It is a command line tool which needs a number of parameters/preferences to run. Do not use EOGenerator's instructions for installation as an Eclipse builder. EOGenerator is run using a WOLips configuration. After it is installed, tell Eclipse/WOLips where it is in preferences:
Later you can put project specific templates in your project. This might be a preferred method for team development where projects are under version control to make sure everyone is using the same and latest templates. See http://wiki.objectstyle.org/confluence/display/WO/Programming__WebObjects-EOF-Using+EOF-EOGenerator for ideas of how to make useful changes to your EOGenerator templates.
Setup Configuration for a Model
The next step is to fill in the .eogen configuration for your model.
Multiple Models
If you have multiple models that you need to generate Java classes for, and they need different settings (templates, destination directories etc), each of these will need its own .eogen configuration.
Autogenerating
If you already have an EOModel file that opens in Entity Modeler properly, you can bypass the manual .eogen file creation described below by right-clicking on your EOModel in WOLips and selecting WOLips Tools=>Create EOGenerator File.
Double click on the <ModelName>.eogen icon in the Package Explorer or Navigator:
The top section of the editor looks like this:
Set the model(s) to generate Java for in the first area. In the second include models containing prototypes and models that are referenced by the models in the first group, but which should not have Java generated for the entities in them.
The File Names settings can be ignored unless you need to generate oddly formed file names. You will usually want to Create Packages (place the generated files in a directory corresponding to their package). It can useful to have different Destination and Subclass Destination directories. The totally generated classes in the Destination directory are not very interesting and can be tucked away out of sight.
The Templates determine how the Java code is generated. The setting should be self explanatory. The Defines are useful for extending the templates with custom values.
Generate the Classes
The Simplest Way is Set it on Automatic
Use the WOLips build preferences to ensure your classes are regenerated every time you save changes to the EOModel
Manual Generation during Development
To generate the Java classes manually, simply right (control) click on the .eogen configuration and select EOGenerate... from the context menu. A dialog window will be shown when EOGenerator finishes so that you can verify what it did.
Troubleshooting
EOGenerator Not Running?
Nothing happens? Just see a flicker of a progress bar at the bottom right? Go back to the Preferences. The path to the eogenerator executable is missing or incorrect.