Chapter 4. Process Designer

The Process Designer is the Red Hat JBoss BPM Suite process modeler. The output of the modeler is a BPMN 2.0 process definition file, which is saved in the Knowledge Repository, under normal circumstances with a package of a project. The definition then serves as input for JBoss BPM Suite Process Engine, which creates a Process instance based on the definition.
The editor is delivered in two variants:
JBoss Developer Studio Process Designer
Thick-client version of the Process Designer integrated in the JBoss Developer Studio plug-in
Web Process Designer
Thin-client version of the Process Designer integrated in BPM Central
The graphical user interface of the Process Designer is the same for both the JBoss Developer Studio Process Designer and the Web Process Designer.

1

The canvas represents the process diagram. Here you can place the elements from the palette which will constitute the Process. Note that one Process definition may contain exactly one process diagram; therefore a Process definition equals to a Process diagram (this may differ in other products).

2

The Object Library (palette) contains groups of BPMN2 elements. Details on execution semantics and properties of individual BPMN2 shapes are available in Appendix A, Process Elements.

3

The Properties panel displays the properties of the selected element. If no element is selected, the panel contains Process properties.

4

The editor toolbar allows you to select an operation to be applied to the Elements on the canvas.

Figure 4.1. Process Designer environment

Note

To enlarge the Process Designer screen (or any screen while working in Business Central), click on the button shown here: . This will make your current editor fill the entire Business Central screen. To go back, simply click the button again.

4.1. Configuring automatic saving

To configure automatic saving, click the Save button in Process Designer and then Enable autosave.
Enable autosave feature in Process Designer for BPMS 6.0.2

Figure 4.2. Enable autosave