Process Modeler

Learn how to use the Process Modeler to build your processes.

Overview

The Process Modeler, or simply Modeler, is a design tool to create and edit processes. The intuitive interface of the Modeler provides ample design space, uses collapsible menu options, and auto-saves your changes. Moreover, you can use the click-n-drop motion to insert process objects, pin the most commonly used elements, and keep the rest hidden.

Watch the following product tour to learn how to use the Modeler.

Permissions

Your user account or group membership must have the following permissions to pin or unpin a Process model object unless your user account has the Make this user a Super Admin setting selected:

Processes: Edit Processes
Processes: View Processes

See the Process permissions or ask your Administrator for assistance.

Add Modeling Objects to a Process

Follow these steps to add a modeling object to a process:

Create a new process or open an existing one.
Click the Add icon from the Objects bar at the bottom to view the Object menu on the left.
Click an object to select it. The icon adjacent to the mouse cursor changes to indicate that an object has been selected.
Click the location in the Process model to place this object.

For detailed information on each object, see Modeling Objects.

Pin and Unpin Objects

Pinning process model objects makes them readily accessible for placement within a process model. Pin an object if you frequently use it in your models. Any BPMN object, External Integration, connector, or PM Block may be pinned or subsequently unpinned. When an object is pinned, it is displayed in the following locations:

The Pinned Objects section of the Add Object tab within the Objects menu on left.
The the Objects bar at the bottom of the Process Modeler canvas for easy and quick access.

Follow these steps to pin a Process model object:

Ensure that the Objects menu is visible. If not, click the Add icon from the Objects bar to display the Objects Menu.
Any pinned objects will display under the Pinned Objects section. The object is already pinned with the Pinned icon . No further action is necessary.
Select an objects from the Object Category section and click the Unpinned icon . The following occurs:
- That object now displays in the Pinned Objects section with the Pinned icon.
- That object displays from the Objects bar at the bottom of the Process Modeler canvas to quickly access it.
Select the Pinned icon again to unpin an object.

Snap a Modelling Object onto an Existing Flow

Manage and modify the activity flows within the system while maintaining the integrity of the process.

Follow these steps to snap a process model object onto a sequence flow:

Select the Process model object to snap onto a sequence flow.
Drag it over a sequence flow between two other objects.
Hold it for a few seconds until the cursor shows the pointing hand or until the flow line turns blue and Drop to add to this flow message displays.
Drop the object onto the flow. It will snap to the flow, effectively splitting it between the two other objects. The existing flow configuration of the split flow is preserved on the inbound flow of the added object, while the outbound flow is new.

Copy Process Model Objects into the Clipboard

Copying one or more Process model objects places those selected items and their respective settings into the Clipboard. The copied item(s) may be copied and then pasted using keyboard shortcuts.

Copied items cannot be pasted into another Process model.
When a Pool element or Lane element is copied, all items it contains are also copied to the Clipboard with their respective settings.

When pasted, the copied Process model element(s) display below the original. Any Sequence Flow and/or Message Flow elements incoming to or outgoing from the original are not copied.

Follow these steps to copy Process model object(s):

Select the item(s) to copy.
Use Control+C (Command+C) to copy.
Use Control+V (Command+V) to paste into the same Process model. The selected item(s) display below the original item(s).

Clone Process Model Objects

Cloning one or more Process model objects immediately clones the selected item(s) and their respective settings below the original item(s). Unlike copying items, which places the selected item(s) into the Clipboard to be then pasted, cloning selected items immediately duplicates them.

When a Pool element or Lane element is cloned, all Process model objects are also duplicated with their respective settings.
When cloning, any Sequence Flow and/or Message Flow elements incoming to or outgoing from the original are not duplicated.

Follow these steps to clone Process model object(s):

Select the item(s) to clone. Available options display above the selected item(s).
Click the Clone Element icon. The item(s) display below the original item(s).

Select Multiple Process Model Objects

Select multiple Process model objects to do any of the following:

Copy them.
Move multiple selected items at the same time in relation to each other.
Align multiple items, such as to left-align selected objects in different Lane elements.
Horizontally or vertically distribute three (3) or more selected items.

Follow these steps to select multiple Process model objects:

Press the Shift key, and then do one of the following:
- Drag and surround the Process model objects for selection. As you drag, a box displays to indicate which items are selected.
- Click each Process model object for selection.

Delete Process Model Objects

Delete Process model objects placed in your Process model. Doing so also deletes any Sequence Flow and/or Message Flow elements incoming to or outgoing from the item(s). For example, if a Process model object is deleted that has both incoming and outgoing Sequence Flow elements, the Sequence Flow elements must be reconnected for the remaining objects.

When a Pool element is deleted, all Process model objects within it are also deleted. If you want to keep the objects within a Pool element, you must add those objects outside of the Pool element prior to deleting the Pool element.

If you accidentally delete a Pool element with other Process model objects you want to keep, then select the Undo button.

Follow these steps to delete a Process model object:

Select the Process model object(s) to delete. Available options display above the selected object(s).
Click the Delete icon. The selected object(s) deletes.

Undo Changes in Your Process Model

Process Modeler displays the Undo button at the bottom of the Process Modeler canvas. The Undo button is disabled when a Process is initially created or opened until a change in the Process model or any of its configuration settings is made.

The Undo button can be used as many times as necessary or until the Process model's state when the Process model was created/opened this log on session.

Follow these steps to use the Undo button in Process Modeler:

Make a change in the Process model or any of its items' settings. The Undo button enables.
Click the Undo button to undo the most recent change if necessary. Continue using the Undo button as many times as necessary or until the Process model's state when the Process model was created/last opened.

Redo Changes in Your Process Model

Process Modeler displays the Redo button at the bottom of the Process Modeler canvas. The Redo button is disabled when a Process model is initially created or last opened until the Undo button is used to undo a change.

The Redo button can be used to redo any revision undone by the Undo button up to the current state.

Follow these steps to use the Redo button in Process Modeler:

Make a change in the Process model or any of its items' settings, and then click the Undo button as necessary. The Redo button enables.
Click the Redo button to redo any revision undone by the Undo button up to the current state.