A computer method of diagramming provide a diagram of a subject model. In response to a primary edit to the subject model, the invention method generates a non-persistent view for secondary edits. The diagram is formed of notational elements corresponding to model elements of the subject model. The invention method provides a notation meta-model for persisting the notational elements with references to corresponding model elements. The notation meta-model allows notational elements to be recreated and changed dynamically in a manner free of replacing original notational elements.