What is the Graphical Editor?
In the graphical editor, you can design, edit, format and review your diagrams. The following sections provide an overview of helpful functions within the Graphical Editor. To access the Editor you simply need to open an existing or create a new diagram. There are many types of different diagrams supported in SAP Signavio Process Manager. Besides BPMN 2.0, also DMN 1.2. Diagrams are supported to model decisions and their executable logic, or using ArchiMate 3.0 to model the enterprise architecture complementary to business processes.
Let's see what the editor looks like in action!
The following video will explain the Graphical Editor in detail.
Check out the following short-clip to learn how the Editor works in practice!
In the next section, we show you some handy tips and tricks for your work with the Graphical Editor.
Syntax Checking Your Process
To perform the syntax check for your BPMN process diagram or EPC choose Check syntax in the toolbar or choose the save icon Review. Errors will then be highlighted. Move your cursor over one of the exclamation marks to get more information about that specific error. Check out the animation to see how it works.
The syntax of the diagram must comply with syntax rules of BPMN 2.0. The process flow must not be interrupted.
If you do not know how to fix the displayed error, you can select the best practice link located in the convention check description to get more help with examples and defined rules and their meanings.
The link shown will lead to the modeling guidelines.
Here you can find further helpful information.
Shortcuts
For faster editing of processes, you can use specific short cuts. See the following table with our shortcuts for Windows and Mac.
Shortcuts for Windows and Mac
| Activity | Shortcuts for Windows | Shortcuts for Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Open diagram | In the explorer, double-click the diagram name | In the explorer, double-click the diagram name |
| Open diagram preview | In the explorer, select the diagram and press Space | In the explorer, select the diagram and press Space |
| Save diagram | Ctrl + S | Command+ S |
| Copy selection | Ctrl + C | Command+ C |
| Paste selection | Ctrl + V | Command+ V |
| Cut selection | Ctrl + X | Command+ X |
| Delete selection | Del | Del |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | Command+ Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y | Command+ Y |
| Zoom | Press Ctrl + + to make everything large Press Ctrl + - to make everything smaller Press Ctrl + 0 to reset | Press Command + + to make everything large Press Command + - to make everything smaller Press Command + 0 to reset |
| Full-screen | Press F11 to use full-screen mode, press F11 again to exit full-screen mode | Press Command + Ctrl + f to use full-screen mode, press Command + Ctrl + f again to exit full-screen mode |
| Resize element | Hold Ctrl and drag the element connector to resize in all directions Hold Shift and drag the element connector to resize proportionally Hold Alt and drag the element connector to resize without snapping | Hold Command and drag the element connector to resize in all directions Hold Shift and drag the element connector to resize proportionally Hold Alt and drag the element connector to resize without snapping |
| Move elements | Hold Alt or Ctrl while moving an element to move without automatic snapping or orientation lines Hold Shift+Alt or Shift+Strg to move an element along a horizontal or vertical line, without displayed orientation lines | Hold Alt or Command while moving an element to move without automatic snapping or orientation lines. Hold Shift+Alt or Shift+Strg to move an element along a horizontal or vertical line, without displayed orientation lines |
| Adjust space between elements | Press Ctrl + M and add or remove space, press Ctrl + M again to deactivate | Press Command+ M and add or remove space, press Command+ M again to deactivate |
| Select elements of the same type | Select one or more elements element and press Ctrl + I | Select one or more elements element and press Command+ I |
NoteHave a Closer Look
Select the interactive graphic to get more information about the Graphical Editor.
Let's summarize what we have learned about the editor so far. Have a closer look at the various functionalities of the editor in the following image. In the next lessons we will focus on the notations as well as the functions and features like the dictionary of the SAP Signavio Process Manager.
