Use connections

You can create connections and set up their appearance.

Create connections

In an open model, you can connect objects in the modeling area in different ways with the set alignment.

Procedure (quick video)

If Smart Modeling is enabled, you can use the Insert smart object Insert icons to link placed objects.

Procedure

  1. Select the object you want to connect with an object that has already been placed. The Insert smart object Insert icons are displayed.

  2. Click the Insert smart object Insert icon on the side of the selected object to which you want to attach the connection and hold down the mouse button.

  3. Move the mouse pointer to the border of the target object.

  4. Release the mouse button at the connection anchor point where you want to connect the target object. If you can create more than one connection between the objects, the selectable connections are displayed and the currently used connection is highlighted in bold.

  5. If you want to use another connection, click the corresponding name, otherwise click on the modeling area. The connection selection is closed.

You have created a connection using the Insert smart object Insert icon of Smart Modeling.

If Smart Modeling is enabled, you can use the Smart Modeling toolbar to link placed objects.

Procedure

  1. Select the object you want to connect with an object that has already been placed. The Insert smart object Insert icons are displayed.

  2. Click the Insert smart object Insert icon on the side of the selected object to which you want to attach the connection. The Smart Modeling toolbar opens.

    The Smart Modeling toolbar provides functionality for the simple and very fast placement of objects. It provides objects that are directly accessible and a search field for finding and placing object symbols that are not listed in the toolbar. Also, you can use the smart object toolbar to create connections to existing objects.

    Smart Modeling toolbar

    When you place an object using the search field, the symbol of the placed object is added to the list of directly accessible objects for the selected object type.

    You can configure the toolbar for each object type so that you always have access to the objects you want to connect.

  3. In the Smart Modeling toolbar, click Create connection Connection.

  4. Move the mouse pointer to the border of the target object.

  5. Release the mouse button at the connection anchor point where you want to connect the target object. If you can create more than one connection between the objects, the selectable connections are displayed and the currently used connection is highlighted in bold.

  6. If you want to use another connection, click the corresponding name, otherwise click on the modeling area. The connection selection is closed.

You have created a connection using the Smart Modeling toolbar.

If Smart Modeling is disabled, you can use the mini toolbar to link objects.

The mini toolbar provides you with exactly the object symbols that can be linked to the selected object using a connection.

Mini toolbar

When you place an object symbol from the mini toolbar in the modeling area, a connection between the selected object and the new object symbol is created at the same time. Also, you can use the mini toolbar to create connections to existing objects.

The mini toolbar is configured for each object type. When you click an object, the mini toolbar provides the object symbols you selected for the underlying object type.

You can hide the mini toolbar.

Procedure

  1. Click the placed object symbol. The mini toolbar is shown.

  2. In the mini toolbar, click the symbol you want to place in the modeling area.

  3. The Select connection box and the outline of the object are displayed. The currently used connection is marked with a preceding bar and is highlighted in bold.

  4. Click another connection or close the Select connection box with Close Close.

  5. Move the mouse pointer to the modeling area. The frame of the object is displayed. If Guided modeling is enabled, lines indicate the alignment of the moving object to the placed objects and arrows indicate the distances.

    You can enable or disable Guided Modeling, which uses lines and arrows to help you place objects or connections at the selected distance in the modeling area.

    1. Open the model.

    2. Activate the Model tab bar.

    3. Click Grid Modeling area > Disabled check box Show guides. The check box is enabled (Enabled), and the guides for placing items are shown in the modeling area.

    4. To disable the guides, click Grid Modeling area > Enabled Show guides. The Disabled check box check box is disabled.

    You have enabled or disabled the guides for Guided Modeling.

  6. Click the position in the modeling area where you want to insert the object symbol. The name of the object symbol is selected for overwriting by default.

  7. If necessary, overwrite the previous name with the name of your choice and press Enter.

The object symbol is placed in the modeling area and linked to the previously selected object symbol using the selected connection.

You can link placed objects by using the Symbols bar.

Procedure

  1. In the Symbols bar click Create connection (toolbar) Create connection.

  2. Click the object you want to connect with another object.

  3. Click a target object that can be connected to the source object. If the method does not allow objects to be connected to one another, a prohibitory sign is displayed on the target object; the connection cannot be attached to this object.

Both objects are linked by a connection.

If Smart Modeling is enabled, you can link placed objects by using the mini toolbar.

The mini toolbar provides you with exactly the object symbols that can be linked to the selected object using a connection.

Mini toolbar

When you place an object symbol from the mini toolbar in the modeling area, a connection between the selected object and the new object symbol is created at the same time. Also, you can use the mini toolbar to create connections to existing objects.

The mini toolbar is configured for each object type. When you click an object, the mini toolbar provides the object symbols you selected for the underlying object type.

You can hide the mini toolbar.

Procedure

  1. In the modeling area, click the object you want to connect with another object. The mini toolbar is shown.

  2. In the mini toolbar, click Create connection (toolbar) Create connection.

  3. Click a target object that can be connected to the source object. If the method does not allow objects to be connected to one another, a prohibitory sign is displayed on the target object; the connection cannot be attached to this object.

Both objects are linked by a connection.

You have connected objects in the modeling area and you can change the appearance of the connection.

Use a connection of the same type

You can connect already connected objects with a new connection or with an existing connection of the same type if allowed by the method. For example, more than one connection of type has flow two is allowed between two objects of the Organizational unit type.

Procedure

  1. Create a connection between two objects that are already connected and for which more than one connection of the same type is allowed. The Connect objects dialog opens.

    In an open model, you can connect objects in the modeling area in different ways with the set alignment.

    Procedure (quick video)

    If Smart Modeling is enabled, you can use the Insert smart object Insert icons to link placed objects.

    Procedure

    1. Select the object you want to connect with an object that has already been placed. The Insert smart object Insert icons are displayed.

    2. Click the Insert smart object Insert icon on the side of the selected object to which you want to attach the connection and hold down the mouse button.

    3. Move the mouse pointer to the border of the target object.

    4. Release the mouse button at the connection anchor point where you want to connect the target object. If you can create more than one connection between the objects, the selectable connections are displayed and the currently used connection is highlighted in bold.

    5. If you want to use another connection, click the corresponding name, otherwise click on the modeling area. The connection selection is closed.

    You have created a connection using the Insert smart object Insert icon of Smart Modeling.

    If Smart Modeling is enabled, you can use the Smart Modeling toolbar to link placed objects.

    Procedure

    1. Select the object you want to connect with an object that has already been placed. The Insert smart object Insert icons are displayed.

    2. Click the Insert smart object Insert icon on the side of the selected object to which you want to attach the connection. The Smart Modeling toolbar opens.

      The Smart Modeling toolbar provides functionality for the simple and very fast placement of objects. It provides objects that are directly accessible and a search field for finding and placing object symbols that are not listed in the toolbar. Also, you can use the smart object toolbar to create connections to existing objects.

      Smart Modeling toolbar

      When you place an object using the search field, the symbol of the placed object is added to the list of directly accessible objects for the selected object type.

      You can configure the toolbar for each object type so that you always have access to the objects you want to connect.

    3. In the Smart Modeling toolbar, click Create connection Connection.

    4. Move the mouse pointer to the border of the target object.

    5. Release the mouse button at the connection anchor point where you want to connect the target object. If you can create more than one connection between the objects, the selectable connections are displayed and the currently used connection is highlighted in bold.

    6. If you want to use another connection, click the corresponding name, otherwise click on the modeling area. The connection selection is closed.

    You have created a connection using the Smart Modeling toolbar.

    If Smart Modeling is disabled, you can use the mini toolbar to link objects.

    The mini toolbar provides you with exactly the object symbols that can be linked to the selected object using a connection.

    Mini toolbar

    When you place an object symbol from the mini toolbar in the modeling area, a connection between the selected object and the new object symbol is created at the same time. Also, you can use the mini toolbar to create connections to existing objects.

    The mini toolbar is configured for each object type. When you click an object, the mini toolbar provides the object symbols you selected for the underlying object type.

    You can hide the mini toolbar.

    Procedure

    1. Click the placed object symbol. The mini toolbar is shown.

    2. In the mini toolbar, click the symbol you want to place in the modeling area.

    3. The Select connection box and the outline of the object are displayed. The currently used connection is marked with a preceding bar and is highlighted in bold.

    4. Click another connection or close the Select connection box with Close Close.

    5. Move the mouse pointer to the modeling area. The frame of the object is displayed. If Guided modeling is enabled, lines indicate the alignment of the moving object to the placed objects and arrows indicate the distances.

      You can enable or disable Guided Modeling, which uses lines and arrows to help you place objects or connections at the selected distance in the modeling area.

      1. Open the model.

      2. Activate the Model tab bar.

      3. Click Grid Modeling area > Disabled check box Show guides. The check box is enabled (Enabled), and the guides for placing items are shown in the modeling area.

      4. To disable the guides, click Grid Modeling area > Enabled Show guides. The Disabled check box check box is disabled.

      You have enabled or disabled the guides for Guided Modeling.

    6. Click the position in the modeling area where you want to insert the object symbol. The name of the object symbol is selected for overwriting by default.

    7. If necessary, overwrite the previous name with the name of your choice and press Enter.

    The object symbol is placed in the modeling area and linked to the previously selected object symbol using the selected connection.

    You can link placed objects by using the Symbols bar.

    Procedure

    1. In the Symbols bar click Create connection (toolbar) Create connection.

    2. Click the object you want to connect with another object.

    3. Click a target object that can be connected to the source object. If the method does not allow objects to be connected to one another, a prohibitory sign is displayed on the target object; the connection cannot be attached to this object.

    Both objects are linked by a connection.

    If Smart Modeling is enabled, you can link placed objects by using the mini toolbar.

    The mini toolbar provides you with exactly the object symbols that can be linked to the selected object using a connection.

    Mini toolbar

    When you place an object symbol from the mini toolbar in the modeling area, a connection between the selected object and the new object symbol is created at the same time. Also, you can use the mini toolbar to create connections to existing objects.

    The mini toolbar is configured for each object type. When you click an object, the mini toolbar provides the object symbols you selected for the underlying object type.

    You can hide the mini toolbar.

    Procedure

    1. In the modeling area, click the object you want to connect with another object. The mini toolbar is shown.

    2. In the mini toolbar, click Create connection (toolbar) Create connection.

    3. Click a target object that can be connected to the source object. If the method does not allow objects to be connected to one another, a prohibitory sign is displayed on the target object; the connection cannot be attached to this object.

    Both objects are linked by a connection.

    You have connected objects in the modeling area and you can change the appearance of the connection.

  2. Keep the Create a new connection option enabled if you want to create a new connection with the connection type of the connection with which the objects are already connected.

  3. Enable the Select relationship based on connection role option , click the Down arrow down arrow, and select the connection role of the existing connection to which you want to connect the object. Connections where the Connection role attribute is not specified are listed with (Connection role not specified).

  4. Click Connect objects.

You have connected two objects with more than one connection of the same connection type.

Change the appearance of connections

You can change the appearance of connections in an open model.

You can change the arrows of the connection to the source and target objects.

  1. Select the connections for which you want to change the arrows.

  2. Activate the Start tab bar if not already selected.

  3. Click Connection arrows Connection arrows > Towards source. The connection arrows are listed.

  4. Select the connection arrow you want to use in the direction of the source object.

  5. Click Connection arrows Connection arrows > Towards target.

  6. Select the connection arrow you want to use in the direction of the target object.

You have changed the connection arrows to the source and target objects. If you want to use the connection arrow specified by ARIS, select ARIS default instead of a connection arrow.

  1. Select the connections you want to adjust.

  2. Activate the Start tab bar if not already selected.

  3. Click Line color Line color. The color palette opens.

  4. Click the color you want to apply.

The connection color is adjusted.

Tip

Using the color palette, you can define another color or reset the color to the default color.

  1. Select the connections you want to adjust.

  2. Activate the Start tab bar if not already selected.

  3. Click Line style Line style.

  4. Click the solid, dashed, or dotted line to adjust the selected connections.

  5. Click Line weight Line weight.

  6. Click the weight in points in which to display the connections.

The line style and the line weight of the selected connections are adjusted.

  1. Open the model you want to adjust.

  2. Activate the Model tab bar.

  3. Click Connection Connection properties. The Edit connections dialog opens.

  4. Click the Bridge height field and specify the height of the bridge. The higher the value, the higher the bridge. A preview of the specified bridge height is displayed.

  5. Click the Rounding intensity field and specify the degree of edge rounding for connections with directional changes. The higher the value, the stronger the rounding. A preview of the specified edge rounding is displayed.

  6. Click OK.

The bridge height and rounding intensity of the current model's connections are adjusted.

Change the connection arrows

You can change the arrows of the connection to the source and target objects.

  1. Select the connections for which you want to change the arrows.

  2. Activate the Start tab bar if not already selected.

  3. Click Connection arrows Connection arrows > Towards source. The connection arrows are listed.

  4. Select the connection arrow you want to use in the direction of the source object.

  5. Click Connection arrows Connection arrows > Towards target.

  6. Select the connection arrow you want to use in the direction of the target object.

You have changed the connection arrows to the source and target objects. If you want to use the connection arrow specified by ARIS, select ARIS default instead of a connection arrow.

Select connected object

You can select the object that is linked to the selected object by a connection.

Procedure

  1. Open a model.

  2. Select the occurrence of the relevant object in the modeling area.

  3. Click Properties Details. The Details bar opens.

  4. Click the Relationships tab if it is not active yet. The relationships of the selected object are listed.

  5. Next to the name of the occurrence of a relationship (connection) Connection occurrence in the model , click More More > Go to object.

    A visible relationship between objects that shows how objects relate to each other. This graphical representation of a relationship is created during modeling.

    A connection is usually represented by lines in the modeling area. If a direction is relevant, the line has an added arrow. One example is the connection of the is predecessor of type between functions in models of the EPC (event-driven process chain) type.

    Function sequence

    See also

    Connection, implicit

The connected object is selected in the modeling area.

Display and select connection

You can view and select the connection between a source and target object.

Procedure

  1. Open a model.

  2. Select the occurrence of the relevant object in the modeling area.

  3. Click Properties Details. The Details bar opens.

  4. Click the Relationships tab if it is not active yet. The relationships of the selected object are listed.

  5. Next to the name of the occurrence of a relationship Connection occurrence in the model (connection), click More More > Display connection.

    A visible relationship between objects that shows how objects relate to each other. This graphical representation of a relationship is created during modeling.

    A connection is usually represented by lines in the modeling area. If a direction is relevant, the line has an added arrow. One example is the connection of the is predecessor of type between functions in models of the EPC (event-driven process chain) type.

    Function sequence

    See also

    Connection, implicit

The connection between source and target object is selected. If multiple occurrences of a source object are used in a model, any connections that do not yet exist between the occurrences and the target object are created and selected.

Example

The following graphic shows two occurrences of the Order acceptance object.

If you select one of the object occurrences and enable the Display connection function for the carries out connection, a carries out connection to the second Order acceptance occurrence is also created.

Display connection

Delete connection

In an open model, you can delete connections that do not have any occurrences in models for specific objects.

Procedure

  1. Select the occurrence of the relevant object in the modeling area.

  2. Click Properties Details. The Details bar opens.

  3. Click the Relationships tab if it is not active yet. The relationships of the selected object are listed.

  4. Next to the name of a relationship that has no occurrences in a model No connection occurrence in the model (connection), click More More > Delete Delete.

    A visible relationship between objects that shows how objects relate to each other. This graphical representation of a relationship is created during modeling.

    A connection is usually represented by lines in the modeling area. If a direction is relevant, the line has an added arrow. One example is the connection of the is predecessor of type between functions in models of the EPC (event-driven process chain) type.

    Function sequence

    See also

    Connection, implicit

If the connection no longer has any occurrences in any model, it is deleted. If it still has an occurrence in a model, a message is displayed and the connection is not deleted.