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Version: 17.0

Add Information to Models & Objects

The following sections provide an overview of functions for managing the properties of models, objects and connectors.

Properties​

Models, objects and connectors have specific properties (attributes and relations). You can view and, if you have sufficient permissions, edit these properties. To increase the clarity and user-friendliness, related properties are aggregated in chapters.

Properties of a Model

Global Attribute Values vs. Model-Specific Attribute Values​

In ADONIS the attributes of repository objects both have global values as well as model-specific values. A repository object that is used in a model after insertion contains the default values from the Object Catalogue. However, some of these values can be adapted specifically for the model without influencing the global values at all.

  • Global Values: Properties that are identical in the Object Catalogue and in all models in which the object is used (e.g. name, description).
  • Model-Specific Values: Properties that are specific to one object. Model-specific values that have not been specifically adapted in a model automatically use default values (e.g. colour, representation for some classes).

Open Properties​

Depending on whether they belong to a model or an object, properties must be opened from different locations.

Open Model Properties​

Every model has a set of properties. You can open the properties of a model from any editor:

  • Click the Properties button in the menu bar of the model.

Alternatively, you can open the properties of a model from the Model Catalogue:

  • Select the model and press <Alt> + <Enter> or:

  • Right-click the model, point to Open, and then click Properties.

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The model properties open in a freely floating window.

Open Object Properties​

All object types are equipped with a set of properties as well. You can open the properties of an object from the graphical editor or from the Object Catalogue. Choose one of the following options:

  • Double-click the object or:

  • Select the object and press <Enter> or:

  • Right-click the object, point to Open, and then click Properties.

Additionally, you can open object properties from the textual view and from the tabular editor.

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When opened from the graphical editor, the object properties open in a freely floating window. When opened from the Object Catalogue, the object properties open integrated into the main application window (docked).

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When you open the properties of an object from the graphical editor, the model-specific attribute values of the object are displayed. When you open the properties of a repository object from the Object Catalogue however, its global attribute values are displayed.

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These options also allow you to open the properties of a connector, if one was defined for it in the product configuration.

Dock/Undock Properties​

When you open the properties of a repository object from the Object Catalogue, the global attribute values are displayed (see Open Properties for more information). You can choose to dock or undock the properties pane. This is especially useful when you need to compare attribute values between two objects by placing two floating windows side by side.

To undock the properties pane:

  • Click the More button at the top right corner of the properties pane, and then click Undock  .

To dock a freely floating properties window:

  • Click the More button at the top right corner of the properties window, and then click Dock  .

Edit Properties​

Different types of models, objects and connectors have different types of properties. For simple attribute types, the value can be entered directly or selected. For more complex properties, input supports are available.

Switch between Read Mode and Edit Mode​

It is possible to switch between a read mode and an edit mode when viewing or modifying properties. Read mode allows for quick browsing of all properties.

If you want to edit the properties, you need to switch to edit mode first:

  • Click the Edit button in the menu bar of the properties pane.

To switch back to read mode:

  • Click the Read button in the menu bar of the properties pane.

Open Chapter​

Open a chapter in the properties to browse the attribtues and relations which are aggregated within. To show or hide a chapter:

  • Click the chapter name.

Show Attribute Information​

Each property has an info text that provides you with information about what it is used for. To view the info text:

  • Click the icon .

Manage Relations​

You can manage the relations of objects or models while viewing or modifying their properties.

Add Relation to Model or Object​

You can create relations easily by drag & drop without profound knowledge of the modelling language.

Proceed as follows:

  • Drag the model or object you want to reference from the Explorer into the properties pane. ADONIS will show you which relations are possible and let you decide which one to create. You will then jump directly to the newly created relation.
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If ADONIS recommends a specific relation, it will be shown at the top. Incoming relations are displayed on the right and outgoing relations on the left.

Alternatively, if you know exactly which relation you want to add:

  • Click Add New Target Object or Add <object type> . A dialogue window opens.

  • Select the object(s) or model(s) you want to reference and confirm with OK.

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When referencing a modelling object, the model in which the modelling object is maintained is visualised as well.

Referencing a Modelling Object

Create New Object and Establish Relation​

To create a new object and establish a relation to it:

  • Click Create New Target Object or Create <object type> . A dialogue window opens.

  • Enter a name, select an object type, and choose a target folder. Confirm with OK.

Delete Relation​

To delete a relation:

  • Select the relation, and then click Remove Relation target.
Delete Relation and Referenced Object​

To delete a relation and simultaneously delete the referenced object from the database:

  • Select the relation, and then click Remove Relation target and delete it from the repository.
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If you modify relations between objects, you can use update all relations to display the modified connectors in the graphical editor.

Open Model or Object Properties​

  • Click a referenced model to open it.

  • Clicking a referenced object opens its properties.

Open Model Properties​

To open the properties of a referenced model:

  • Click Open Properties .
Open Properties of the Relation​

To open the properties of the relation to a referenced model or object:

  • Click Open properties of the relation....

Format Text​

To apply formatting to a text attribute (e.g., a description) while working with a model's or object's properties:

  • Select the text you want to format, and then choose any of the options to change the font family, font size, text colour, or make the text bold, italic, etc.

    Format Text

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You can copy formatted text from Microsoft Word into the text window. ADONIS recognizes the formatting and applies it to the text.

Check Change History​

Depending on the product configuration, changes to repository objects are tracked in a change history. You can access the change history through the properties of an object:

  • Click the More button at the top right corner of the properties pane, and then click Change history  .
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If you are not able to view the change history, please ask your ADONIS administrator to activate the change history in the ADONIS Administration.

Synchronise Process Properties​

Have you already defined the properties of a process? If so, you can synchronise these properties between a Process object and the Business Process Diagram which shows the actual process in detailed form.

How does synchronisation work?​

  • You can synchronise common properties (= attributes and relations) between a Process and a referenced Business Process Diagram.

  • For the initial data transfer, you can choose whether the data is taken from the model or the object.

  • After synchronisation is enabled, data will only flow from the model to the object.

  • The model properties will be displayed read-only in the Process.

  • When you edit common properties in the Business Process Diagram, all changes will be pushed to the Process.

Which common properties are synchronised?​

For detailed information on which attributes and relations are synchronised, see Synchronise Process Properties: Mapped Elements.

Enable Synchronisation​

To enable synchronisation between a Process and a Business Process Diagram:

  1. Open the properties of the Process for which you want to enable synchronisation.

  2. Using the Referenced business process/process landscape property in the chapter "General information", add a reference to a Business Process Diagram if none exists yet. The Synchronise button will become active (no longer greyed out).

  3. Click the Synchronise button in the menu bar of the properties pane.

  4. (Optional) Select Use Process data for the initial data copy if the initial data should come from the Process. Otherwise, the initial data will come from the Business Process Diagram.

  5. Click OK.

The initial data copy is performed. All common properties on the receiving side will be overwritten.

Synchronisation is now enabled. The Synchronise button becomes black and shows a different icon () to indicate the new state.

ADONIS will keep common properties between the Process and the referenced Business Process Diagram synchronised. Common properties are displayed read-only in the Process and can be edited in the Business Process Diagram.

Edit Synchronised Properties​

You can edit synchronised properties in the Business Process Diagram as usual. In addition, you can also start editing from the Process:

  • Open the properties of the Process and click the Edit button next to the attribute you want to edit.

The properties of the Business Process Diagram open. You jump directly to the selected attribute.

Stop Synchronisation​

To stop synchronisation between a Process and a Business Process Diagram:

  1. Open the properties of the Process that has synchronisation enabled.

  2. Click the Synchronise button in the menu bar of the properties pane, and then click OK.

ADONIS will now stop synchronising common properties. The Synchronise becomes white and shows a different icon () to indicate the new state.

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When you stop synchronisation, the values in the Process will not be deleted but remain as they are.

Object Ownership​

In ADONIS a user can be assigned ownership of a repository object (e.g. Applications, Processes etc.). In order to do so, the user is assigned as Responsible Person (property in the chapter "Organisation").

The object owner is responsible for the content of the object. They will be granted write access to the object, even if they usually only have read access.

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By default a user who creates an object is automatically assigned ownership.

Close Properties​

To close the properties of a model or object:

  • Press <Esc> or:

  • Click the Close button at the top right corner of the properties pane.