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Chapter 1. Quick Start

1.1. Process Mapping Basics

When you first launch the application, a blank project ("Untitled.prj") will automatically be created containing a blank diagram ("Untitled Diagram 1", found in the "Diagrams" folder in the Project Navigator window) and displaying the "Basic Shapes" stencil to the right of the Project Navigator window.

Synthis Process Modeler Default Environment

Figure 1.1. Synthis Process Modeler Default Environment

1.1.1. Placing shapes on diagrams

The easiest way to begin mapping your first process is to start dragging shapes from the stencil onto the diagram, as follows:

  1. Click on a shape in the stencil (hold down the left mouse button).

  2. Move the mouse to the desired drop location on the diagram.

  3. Let go of the left mouse button.

1.1.2. Linking one element to another

To draw a link from one element to another on the diagram:

  1. Click the “Draw a Link” button in the toolbar.

  2. Click on the starting element (hold down the left mouse button).

  3. Move the mouse until the pointer is over the target element.

  4. Let go of the left mouse button.

Linking Elements - Step 1

Figure 1.2. Linking Elements - Step 1

Linking Elements - Step 2

Figure 1.3. Linking Elements - Step 2

Linking Elements - Step 3

Figure 1.4. Linking Elements - Step 3

A quicker and easier way to draw a link is to hold the CTRL key down instead of using the “Draw a Link” button.

  1. Hold down the CTRL key.

  2. Click on the starting element (hold down the left mouse button).

  3. Move the mouse until the pointer is over the target element.

  4. Let go of the left mouse button.

1.2. Using the Element Properties editor

Element Properties Editor

Figure 1.5. Element Properties Editor

The easiest way to name your elements and begin capturing detailed information about each one is to locate the element on the diagram and click once on the element to select it. This opens the Element Properties editor in a convenient window below the main diagramming window.

By default, the Element Properties editor allows you to capture following general information about each element:

  1. Name

  2. Folder location in the Project Navigator window

  3. Description

  4. Comments

Depending on the type of element that is selected, additional details can be captured using the Element Properties editor, using a variety of different mechanisms.

1.3. Publishing your first process website

Generate A Process Website

Figure 1.6. Generate A Process Website

Publishing a complete, clickable, diagram-based website of your processes takes just two mouse clicks:

  1. Click once on the "Generate" menu.

  2. Click once on the "Process Website" option to launch the generator.

A message window will automatically appear listing the various files being generated and where those files are being saved. When the generator finishes, it will automatically open the Process Website in your default Web browser.

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Synthis - Process Modeler Home Chapter 2. Basic Terminology