IT:AD:Enterprise Architect:HowTo:Model
Summary
The advantage of using a Modeling tool such as AE, rather than just go for a Diagramming solution, such as IT:AD:PlantUML is the creation of a complete, coherent, Model, from which Views (ie Diagrams) can be extracted and used by various stakeholders.
The relationship between Model and Views is much the same as between a 3D Model of a House, and the Plan, Section, Elevation and Details Views of the same Model. Each View focusing on just one aspect of the 3D Model, specific to its Audience. For example, the Plan is intended to convey legal information, distance from boundaries, utilities, transport, etc. the elevation communicates information regarding conformance to regional styles, the elevation details address necessary security by structural integrity, etc.