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Synchronizing the Model and Display

The relationship between a Model and a display can be defined in these ways:

  • (Type A) A display is a complete representation of the Model defined in the database. This is the type of display that you have when you click 'New Model', 'Import Model', or 'Assign Model to Display' on the 'File' menu, and check the 'Keep Model and Display Synchronized' checkbox.

    When a Model is in sync with the display, any changes you make to the display are then reflected in the Model when you do an 'AF Check In'. In addition, changes you make in the Model are automatically reflected in the display.

  • (Type B) A display is associated with a model. This allows you to display only parts of the Model if you choose. This is the type of display that you have when you click 'New Model', 'Import Model', or 'Assign Model to Display' on the 'File' menu, and do not check the 'Keep Model and Display Synchronized' checkbox.

  • (Type C) A display shows only selected AF Elements. This is the type of display that you have when you click 'New Display' on the 'File' menu, and then place elements or AF values on the display.

If a display is not synchronized with the model, you can then make changes to either without affecting the other. For example, when you delete an Element from an unsynchronized display, the Element remains in the model. One reason to do this is to provide multiple views of the same logical model. Each display could be orientated towards one area or aspect of the model.

If you make changes to a type A Model outside of ProcessBook (e.g. in System Explorer or in Excel), and then re-open the display in ProcessBook, the 'Synchronize' window opens (shown in Figure 837).

Changes that cause the 'Synchronize' window to open include: 

  • Adding/Removing Elements, Connections, or Layers; Modifying Layers.
  • Modifying anything directly associated with the model (description or attributes).
  • Modifying the Template associated with a model. Note that this dialog box appears only when the Model is of type A.

For type A displays, use the Synchronize AF Model with Display option. Its use represents a special Case and cannot always fully synchronize the display with the model. This is due to the display not holding enough information. for example. to create an element. you can choose this option if you want to save different versions of a model (more than one .pdi file). Then, if you want to use an older version, you can open one of the .pdi files and synchronize the AF Model with it. You could then use 'Undo Checkout' option when finished, in order to revert back to the current database.

For a type B display, use the Do not synchronize option when you first create or import the model. With this option, the 'Synchronize' window never opens when you open the .pdi file in ProcessBook.

It is possible to resynchronize the Model in the database with the display anytime using the Assign Model to Display option from File menu as described under Assigning a Model to a Display.

Synchronizing a Model with a Display​

To synchronize a Model with a Display:

  1. When the Synchronize window opens, select the synchronization option you want to use.Figure 837: Synchronize window
  2. Click OK to save your choice and close the window.