13.3.1. EKM Studio Layout

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User's Guide | Chapter 13: Defining Process Templates in EKM Studio | 13.3. The EKM Studio Environment |

13.3. The EKM Studio Environment |  | 13.3.2. Customizing the Window Layout in EKM Studio
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### 13.3.1. EKM Studio Layout

EKM Studio has one main editing window where you can build and edit a process template or lifecycle. There is also an Elements window to the left of the editing window, and a Properties window below the editing window, as shown in Figure 13.1: EKM Studio Application Window.

#### 13.3.1.1. Main Editing Window

The main, large window in EKM Studio is where you build and edit process and lifecycle diagrams. This is a fixed window that cannot be closed.

You can insert a node into a process diagram either by clicking on the Insert Node menu button on the toolbar (see below), or by right-clicking in the diagram where you want to insert the node, and selecting Insert Node from the context menu. The Insert Node menu button has a drop-down list containing all of the different node types you can add. You can insert a transition between two nodes by selecting the nodes and then clicking the Insert Transition button in the toolbar. To add a variable to the process, click the New Variable button on the toolbar.

For lifecycle diagrams, you can add a stage into the diagram either by clicking the Insert Stage button on the toolbar (see below), or by right-clicking in the diagram where you want to insert the stage, and selecting Insert Stage from the context menu. You can insert a transition between two stages by selecting the stages and then clicking the Insert Transition button on the toolbar.

Figure 13.2: Sample Process Diagram and Figure 13.3: Sample Lifecycle Diagram show some sample diagram views.

Figure 13.2: Sample Process Diagram

Figure 13.3: Sample Lifecycle Diagram

When you double-click a node, stage, or transition in the diagram, the corresponding Edit dialog box will open. A single click on an element in the diagram will select it in the diagram and in the Elements window, and display its properties in the Properties pane. Right-clicking an element in the diagram opens a context menu.

You can move individual or multiple elements by dragging them, or by using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

#### 13.3.1.2. Elements Window

The Elements window to the left of the main editing window contains a list of the elements that are currently part of your process template/lifecycle. This list updates as you add, edit or delete elements in the editing window, and provides direct access to those elements. Process elements include Nodes and Variables. Lifecycles consist of Stages.

Figure 13.4: Elements Window - Process Template and Lifecycle

You can change the way the Elements window is displayed. See Customizing the Window Layout in EKM Studio for details.

#### 13.3.1.3. Properties Window

The Properties window displays the properties of the element currently selected in the Elements window. Properties vary depending on the type of element that you have defined, and the parameters that you have set. You cannot invoke any actions on element properties that are displayed in the Properties window; they are for display purposes only. An example is shown in Figure 13.5: Properties of a Sample Process Node.

Figure 13.5: Properties of a Sample Process Node

If you are editing a process template, the Properties window has two tabbed panes: Properties and Errors. The Properties pane displays element properties as described above.

##### Errors Pane

The Errors pane displays any errors associated with elements in your process. Every time an action results in change to the process model, it is validated and the Errors pane is refreshed. If there are any errors with your process, the text on the Errors tab will be red.

Figure 13.6: Sample Process Error Display

Important: If a process contains errors, you can save it to your local computer, but you cannot save it to the repository.

You can change the way the Properties window is displayed. See Customizing the Window Layout in EKM Studio for details.

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