Create/edit process model

The BPMN Editor allows us to edit, save, and export (BPMN) process models. To access the editor, open the process model from the Apromore Workspace by double-clicking on the model. The image below shows a snapshot of the BPMN editor environment.

On the left, the palette contains the BPMN elements to create or edit BPMN models. To add any of these elements to the process model, drag and drop it into the desired location.

Save model

To save a mode, click the save icon on the menu bar. Click Save.

We are prompted to enter the model name, description, version number, and folder to save the model. Click OK.

Each process version is kept in the memory, and it is possible to retrieve any of it at any time. To learn more about how to access the older versions of a process model, see Access an older version of a process model.

Note

When Auto Backup (Local Draft) is checked, the BPMN editor automatically saves a local draft as we work. Even if the model is shared with other users, our progress is saved privately, and only we can see the changes. These updates won’t be visible to others until we manually save the file.

Save a copy of a model

To save a copy of the process model, click the save icon on the menu bar. Click Save as…

Enter the details of the process model and click OK.

Save as… allows us to create a duplicate of the process model and make edits to the duplicate.

Download model

We can download a process model in PDF, BPMN, or SVG formats. If the process model has a defined simulation scenario, we can also download the simulation in XLSX format. To download a model, click the download icon .

Select the format of the model we wish to download.

Note

Remember to allow pop-up windows before exporting the process. Otherwise, the export may fail.

To enable us define Salesforce Flows from BPMN models, we can also download a BPMN model as a Salesforce Flow metadata. This downloads an XML file that stores the necessary information about the process to define a Salesforce Flow.

To download a model as a Salesforce Flow metadata, click Download as Salesforce Flow metadata.

Undo/Redo

The undo and redo icons allow the undo and redo changes to be applied to the process model.

Zoom-in/Zoom-out/Fit to screen

The two zoom lenses allow us to zoom in and zoom out.

If we want to fit the model dynamically when we resize our browser screen, click on the Fit to screen icon .

Change the font size

We can change the font size used for the tasks’ names by clicking the Change font size icon.

The Change font size slider appears. Adjust the font size using the slider.

Create and delete comments

To specify some details about the process activities, we can create comments. To leave a comment, click on the task and the button next to it.

A comment window appears. Type the comment. Press Enter.

To delete a comment, click on the textual part of the comment and click x.

Create custom attributes for BPMN elements

To attach custom attributes such as “cost”, “priority”, or “risk” to a given activity, click on the activity, and choose the Metadata subsection of the Properties drawer. Click “+” next to Add property. Type the attribute name and value.

To delete attribute(s) attached to a given activity, click on X next to the attribute’s name and value.

Add attachments and attachment labels

Attachments are pictures used to give extra details to the process model. Attachment labels are texts that explain what the attachment is. Attachment labels can also be an external link. We can add attachments and attachment labels to a process model. To do this, click the task the attachment will be placed. Open the properties pane on the far right and go to the Attachments tab.

Click the “+” symbol. Enter the name of the attachment and click Upload to upload the attachment.

Note

The attachment’s name is considered a part of the attachment label.

We can also add an embedded link to the attachment name. Enter the URL in Link for image. Notice the image title is now a hyperlink.

We can add other attachment labels as Icon List. These are texts or icons that will appear under the image. We can add URLs to these icons.

We can add icons by clicking . Select the preferred icon from the range that appears.

To delete the icon from the process model, click on the Remove button next to the icon and its name.

Show or hide comments

To hide comments, click the eye icon in the BPMN Editor.

This displays a dropdown with a list of options.

Uncheck Show comments and any comments will now appear hidden.

To show the comments again, check Show comments.

Resize attachments associated with tasks

When an attachment is added to a task, we can resize the attachment in the BPMN Editor. To resize an attachment, click the resize attachment icon.

A white box appears. Select and drag the corner of the white box to resize the attachment.

Show or hide attachments and attachment labels

We can show or hide attachments and attachment labels in the BPMN Editor using the eye icon on the menu bar.

Show or hide attachments

To hide attachments, click the eye icon in the BPMN Editor. Uncheck Show attachments.

The attachment now appears hidden.

To show the attachments again, check Show attachments.

Show or hide attachment labels

To hide attachment labels, click the eye icon in the BPMN Editor. Uncheck Show attachments labels.

The attachment label becomes hidden.

To show the attachments again, check Show attachments labels.

Access an older version of a process model

To access older versions of a process model, select the process model in Portal. Click the info icon to open the versions and details panel. The list of model versions appears on the Versions tab. Select the version we want to edit from the tab.

Double-click on it or right-click on the file and select the edit icon.