Process Flow Tab

Add Subdiagram adds a new subdiagram block to the current diagram. When this command is selected, the Select Diagram for the Block window will appear, which allows you to select a PFS diagram that exists in the current project to be represented by the subdiagram block.

Auto Arrange automatically arranges the blocks in the diagram so that all blocks are evenly spaced and centered.

Auto Fit Width automatically arranges the blocks in the diagram to fit the width of the diagram window.

Container

Edit Train opens the currently selected train for editing. The Train View will open in the same tab or window you are currently using, appearing to replace the current PFS diagram. When you are in the Train View, this command will be called End Editing Train. When you are done working with the train, use this command or simply close the tab or window. The PFS diagram will reappear.

Add Active Train adds a new active train to the currently selected process standby container. This option is available only when a process standby container is selected.

Add Standby Train adds a new standby train to the currently selected process standby container. This option is available only when a process standby container is selected.

Standby Settings apply only to blocks in standby containers or to trains in process standby containers.

Set Block to Active (Not Standby) changes the status of the selected block or train from standby to active. Clear this option to change the status of the selected block or train to standby. This option is available only when a block in a standby container, a train in a process standby container or a dependent event block (i.e., an event block that is connected to a standby container gate block) is selected.

Set Standby Order opens the Standby Blocks Order window where you specify the order in which the standby items are used.

Settings

Connect Blocks allows you to create connectors between blocks in the current diagram. To specify the flow type represented by the connector, click the down arrow on this command. Then, when this command is selected, click the source block, hold down the left mouse button and drag a line from the source block to the destination block. When the crosshairs are located above the destination block, release the mouse button to create a connector. To stop adding connectors and return to the normal mode, right-click the diagram or clear the Connect Blocks option (i.e., by choosing the command again).

Save Diagram The application always saves the diagram upon calculate or close. This command provides the option to manually save the diagram at any time while you're editing. This can be useful if you're working across a network in an enterprise database.

Drag and Drop Blocks toggles drag-and-drop mode on and off for the current diagram. When drag-and-drop mode is off, you can drag blocks to new locations within the current diagram. When drag-and-drop mode is on, you can drag blocks from the current diagram to another diagram of the same type. If you are using the tabbed MDI view, drag the block to another diagram tab to change the focus to that diagram, then drop the block in the diagram area.

Block Painter allows you to copy the block properties from one block and apply them to another block in the current diagram.

Style copies only the block style (i.e., appearance) settings, including the picture on the block if desired.

Properties copies only the block properties, as defined in the Block Properties window, including any attachments if desired.

Style and Properties allows you to copy the block style and/or properties in a single operation.

Copy Diagram Graphic allows you to copy either the entire diagram or just the selected components of the diagram.

Copy Diagram as Graphic copies the current diagram to the Clipboard. The diagram can then be pasted into other documents as an enhanced metafile (*.emf) graphic.

Copy Block(s) as Graphic copies the blocks and connectors that are currently selected in the diagram to the Clipboard. The selected material can then be pasted into other documents as an *.emf graphic.

Add Annotation adds a new annotation to the current diagram. You can edit the text that appears in the annotation by double-clicking it to open the Edit Annotation window.

Set Block as Failed indicates that the block is "off" and the block will be considered to be failed, inactive or absent from the system for reliability calculations. An X will appear on the block to indicate that the block is failed. If de-selected, the block will be considered active for reliability calculations.

Set Block Flag allows you to display or remove a red, yellow or green flag above the selected block. These flags have no effect on the analysis or simulation so you can use them for any purpose of interest to you. For example, each flag color could represent a level of analysis that has been completed.

Properties

Block Properties opens the Block Properties window, which allows you to define the failure, maintenance, optimization, throughput and other characteristics of the selected block. If an annotation is selected, this command opens the Edit Annotation window, which allows you to edit the text for the annotation.

Line Bend alters the bend style of the selected connectors. If a custom style is used, the options for removing bend points will become available.

Selection

Diagram Style opens the Diagram Style window, which allows you to edit the appearance of the diagram.

Flow Types opens the Flow Types window, which allows you to manage the flow types available for use in the diagram.

Open Parent Diagram opens a sub-menu that allows you to select a parent diagram (i.e., a diagram that contains a subdiagram block representing the current diagram) to open.

Export Graphic saves the diagram as a graphic in one of the following formats: *.wmf, *.png, *.gif or *.jpg. You will be able to use the exported graphic in any application, provided that the application supports the file format.

Set Block Order allows you to specify the order in which blocks will be displayed in simulation results and plots.

Cascade Select selects all the blocks that are connected from the selected block, including the selected block itself. This allows you to easily select all blocks that are connected to a block.

Trace Path traces the path of the selected block. Click another block or the diagram to remove the traced path. The color of the traced path is the same as the color for a selected connector and can be set in the Diagram Style window. The thickness of a traced path can also be set in the Diagram Style window, independent of the properties of a selected connector.

Input Priority allows you to specify the priority of the connector relative to other inputs. The input priority for a connector is shown at the end of the connector caption.

Output Priority allows you to specify the priority of the connector relative to other outputs. The output priority for a connector is shown at the beginning of the connector caption.

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