title: Can Entity Framework 4.1 designer "update model from database" for selected entities only?
body: <p><strong>The situation:</strong> Sometimes a database schema is not what you would consider an ideal representation of the system's information and you may not be able to change it. We have been using Entity Framework to create a nicer conceptual model to code against in situations like this. This means updating the model from the database and then changing it ourselves, either through the designer or through the .edmx file directly using a text editor.</p>
  
  <p><strong>The problem:</strong> When you update the model from the database, all your carefully made changes are thrown out the window. This can make adding new entities a real hassle as you are basically forced to do it through editing the .edmx file directly.</p>
  
  <p><strong>The question:</strong> Is there a way to get the Entity Framework to only update selected entities from from the database? Or is it possible to tell it to leave the rest of the model alone when adding a new entity? </p>
  
  <p>Thanks!</p>