Add and connect elements

You have the following options to add elements to a diagram:

• You can drag elements from the shape repository onto the canvas.

• You can use the interactive shortcut menu when you click an element on the canvas.

• You can copy and paste elements.

Add elements from the shape repository

The shape repository in the left panel of the editor lists all modeling elements available for a notation. For notations with lots of elements, elements are grouped into subsets. To change subsets, click the current subset and select a different subset from the drop-down list.

In a subset, elements are grouped thematically.

To add an element, follow these steps:

1. Click the element you want to add to your diagram.

2. Hold the mouse button and drag the element onto the canvas. Green icons indicate where you can place an element.

3. To label an element, double-click the element and enter the label text in the text box.

   The label is saved when you click outside the text box. Available dictionary entries are suggested while you type.

Add elements from the interactive shortcut menu

To add an element, follow these steps:

1. Select an element in the diagram.

   The shortcut menu opens. Depending on the selected element, the shortcut menu suggests elements.

2. Click the icon of the element you want to add. The new element is added to the diagram.

   The connector type between the selected element and the new element is set automatically.

When you want to add an element and set its position, click the element icon and drag the element to its position. The new element is added to the diagram where you release the mouse button.

Add pools and lanes

Add a pool by dragging the Pool/Lane element onto the canvas. Collapsed pools can't contain elements.

Add a lane to a pool by dragging the Pool/Lane element onto a pool.

To add more lanes to a pool, drag a Pool/Lane element onto the left or right edge of a lane.

To add a sublane, drag a Pool/Lane element onto the center of a lane.

To reorder lanes, you have the following options:

• Click the header and drag the lane to it's new location.

• Click the header and use the arrow icons that are shown in the lane to move a lane up or down.

To move lanes up and down the hierarchy, use the arrows.

 

Connect elements with flows

To connect elements with flows, drag the flow onto the target element. You can also use the flow icons from the interactive shortcut menu.

When a connection is possible, green marks are shown on the edges on the element.

When a connection isn't possible, red marks are displayed on the edges of the element.

You can drag a new element onto a connector that already connects two elements. Then, the new element is added and connected automatically.

Add gateways to flows

When you drag a gateway onto a flow, the flow is split and connected to the gateway.

Copy elements

You can copy elements to create similar elements. You can also copy parts of old diagrams to reuse in new diagrams.

1. Select the element you want to copy. Hold the Shift or Ctrl key to select multiple elements.

2. Click to copy, click to cut and click to paste elements. You can also use the shortcuts Ctrl + C to copy, Ctrl + X to cut and Ctrl + V to paste elements.

Remove elements

1. Select all elements you want to remove. To select multiple elements, press and hold the left mouse button and draw a frame around the elements, or press and hold the Ctrl key while you click the elements.

2. Press the Del key on your keyboard or click in the toolbar.

   The elements are deleted.

Next steps

• Move and change elements
• Format diagrams
• Work with modeling conventions