Process frames

Process frames are a type of high-level mapping tool for the Interface layer.

Process frames allow you to represent detailed model processes at a high level on the Interface layer. Like the bundled connector and bundled flow, the process frame allows you to use a "top-down" approach when building or navigating in models.

You can also use process frames to display graphical images or to play QuickTime movies.

Note: If the Link High-Level Map to Model check box is selected in the Interface Preferences dialog box, placing a process frame on the Interface layer automatically places a linked sector frame on the Map and Model layers. Model users can then navigate from a process frame to its linked sector frame.

When you place a process frame on the Interface layer with the Link High-Level Map to Model check box selected, it looks like this:

The following sections describe how to work with process frames by

• placing them on the Interface layer
• selecting them to move or modify them
• moving them
• resizing them
• renaming them
• viewing or editing their properties
• adding pictures to them
• adding movies to them
• playing movies in them
• navigating to their linked sector frame

To place a process frame on the Interface layer

Note: If the Link High-Level Map to Model check box is selected in the Interface Preferences dialog box, a process frame is automatically created on the Interface layer when you place a sector frame on the Map or Model layer (and vice versa). Similarly, if you delete a process or sector frame, its linked sector or process frame is also deleted.

1. On the Interface layer toolbar, click the process frame tool.

2. Click the diagram to place the process frame.

   Note: If you try to place a process frame where it will overlap another process frame, a message appears to tell you that there is not enough room to place the process frame in that location. To place the process frame, either move it to a different location or move/resize the other process frame so there are no overlaps.

To select a process frame

• Click within the process frame's border. The process frame is highlighted.

To move a process frame

1. Click and hold in a blank space in the process frame's header, or on the process frame's border.

2. Drag the process frame to the desired location.

   Note: The software will not allow you to move a process frame to a location where it overlaps another process frame.

To resize a process frame

1. Select the process frame that you want to resize.
2. Click and drag one of the four resize handles that appear at the corners of the process frame.
3. When the process frame is the size you want, release the mouse button.

To rename a process frame

1. Click the process frame's name plate. The name plate becomes highlighted.

2. Type the new name:

   • To replace the existing name, type a new name. The new name will replace the existing name.
   • To edit the existing name, hover the mouse pointer over the name. The pointer changes to an I-beam. With the I-beam, click within the name where you want to begin editing, then type your changes.
3. When you are finished editing the name, click a blank space on the diagram.

Notes: You can also edit the name for a process frame by editing the name in the Name box in the Process Frame dialog box.

If the process frame is linked to a sector frame, the sector frame is automatically renamed to match the new process frame name.

To view or edit a process frame's properties

A process frame's properties include its name, comments, border style, and whether the process frame displays a picture, movie, and its header.

1. Double-click the process frame's border or within its header area, or select the process frame and then choose Open Selection from the Interface menu (or right-click the process frame and then choose Open from the menu that appears).

   The Process Frame dialog box opens.

2. Use the options in the Process Frame dialog box to edit the process frame's properties, including adding a picture or movie.
3. When you are finished, click OK.

To add a picture to a process frame

You can add a picture to a process frame by dragging and dropping an image file from your computer onto the process frame, or by using the options in the Process Frame dialog box.

Notes: For Macs, you can import PICT files; for Windows machines, see Supported graphic file formats for a list of supported Windows image formats.

For best results, put all picture files in a directory entitled "graphics", located in the same directory as the model file.

• Drag an image file from any location on your computer onto the process frame.

  When a black border appears around the process frame and the pointer changes to a "+", release the mouse button to drop the image onto the process frame.

  
  

–Or–

1. Select the process frame to which you want to add a picture.

2. Double-click its border or within its header area, or select the process frame and then choose Open Selection from the Interface menu (or right-click the process frame and then choose Open from the menu that appears).

   The Process Frame dialog box opens.

3. Use the following options to add a picture:

• To have the process frame's name appear as the picture in the process frame, select the Use Name option, and then click the Import Picture button to format the text in the Text Box dialog box.

  Note: To edit the name that appears as a picture in the process frame, edit the process frame's name in its header or in the Name box of the Process dialog box. For more information, see To rename a process frame.

• To import a picture from a file to appear in the process frame, select the From File option, then click the Import Picture button. In the Open dialog box, navigate to and select the image file that you want to import.

• To import a picture from the clipboard to appear in the process frame, make sure that you have copied the image you want to the clipboard by using the Copy command, then select the From Clipboard option, and click the Import Picture button.

  Tip: If you have copied a picture to the clipboard, you can also paste the picture to the process frame by choosing Paste from the Edit menu.

• To resize an imported picture so that it fits the process frame, select the Size to Frame check box.
• To delete an imported picture and remove it from the process frame, click the Delete Picture button.
4. Click OK.

To add a movie to a process frame

You can add a movie to a process frame by using the options in the Process Frame dialog box.

Notes: To assign a movie to a process frame, your computer must have QuickTime installed.

For best results, put all movie files in a directory entitled "movies", located in the same directory as the model file.

1. Select the process frame to which you want to add a movie.

2. Double-click its border or within its header area, or select the process frame and then choose Open Selection from the Interface menu (or right-click the process frame and then choose Open from the menu that appears).

   The Process Frame dialog box opens.

3. Use the following options to add a movie:

• To assign a movie to the process frame, click the Assign Movie button, and then navigate to and select the QuickTime (.MOV) movie file you want to use. The first frame of the selected movie will be displayed in the center of the process frame.

  Note: If you have already assigned a movie to this process frame, an asterisk (*) appears on the Assign Movie button.

• To resize an imported movie so that it fits the process frame, select the Size to Frame check box.
• To delete an assigned movie and remove it from the process frame, click the Delete Movie button.
4. Click OK.

To play a movie in a process frame

Note: Although you can assign movies to more than one process frame in a model, you can play only one movie at a time.

• To play a movie, double-click the movie image inside the process frame.
• To pause a movie, click once on the movie.
• To resume a paused movie, double-click the movie.
• To stop a movie, click outside the process frame.

Notes: The movie does not have any connection to the model or its performance.

To navigate to the linked sector frame

If the Link High-Level Map to Model check box is selected in the Interface Preferences dialog box, placing a process frame on the Interface layer automatically places a linked sector frame on the Map and Model layers.

Use the following procedure to navigate from the process frame to its linked sector frame:

• In the process frame's header, click .

See Also