Adding a shape to a flow

You can add a shape to a flow to perform a task, such as sending an email or calling an external application. By using Process Modeler to connect and configure shapes in your flow diagram, you can refine the sequence of events that a case follows at run time.

Tip: To develop your flow more quickly, add a process to the life cycle of a case type instead of manually managing components in a flow diagram. Use the Flow form only when you need to configure advanced options that you cannot access from the case type.

For more information about basic shapes, see Defining a life cycle for a case type.

To add a shape to a flow:

1. Open a flow by searching for it or by using the Application Explorer.

2. Optional: To ignore validation errors while you work on a flow, enable draft mode.

3. In the toolbar of Process Modeler, click the Shape palette icon to display a menu of shapes.

4. Click an option in the menu to add a shape to the flow diagram.

5. Drag the shape to a different position on the flow diagram, based on the order of events in the flow.

6. Replace the default name of the shape with descriptive text that is fewer than 128 characters.

7. Double-click the shape to open the property panel.

8. Enter values in the fields of the property panel, based on the functionality that your flow requires.

   For more information about configuring shapes, see:

   • Standard shapes:

     • Annotating a flow

     • Assigning a task in a flow

     • Calling a subprocess from a flow

     • Calling an activity from a flow

     • Defining the end logic of a flow

     • Making a decision in a flow

   • Smart shapes:

     • Attaching information to a case

     • Attaching screen captures to a case

     • Collecting digital signatures in a case

     • Creating a contextual case

     • Moving a case to a different stage

     • Pausing a process in a case

     • Persisting a temporary case

     • Posting messages to a case

     • Requesting approval from a user

     • Sending email from a case

     • Sending push notifications from a case

     • Finding duplicate cases

     • Updating case information

   • Advanced shapes:

     • Adding asynchronous processing to a flow

     • Assigning a task to a robotic work queue

     • Assigning a task to an external application

     • Connecting to an external application

     • Iterating over information in a flow

9. Click Save.

You can test your shape by connecting it to other shapes in your flow.

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