The graphic editor is the tool used for designing diagrams for the configuration items (CI) in your IT infrastructure. It is used to model flows and diagrams that can be viewed using the Diagram widget.

Notes

• The Diagram widget is implemented in a report where the Diagram template is used. You define the scope of the report in the Configuration > Reporting menu. You create the diagrams for the report in the graphic editor.

Menu access

Configuration > Reporting:

• Create a report using the Diagram template
•  found next to a report where the Diagram template is used

Description of the graphic editor

The screen is divided into four zones:

• (1) Toolbar
• (2) Objects pane, used to access all objects that can be used in the diagram
• (3) Design pane, a workspace containing objects and their layout
• (4) Properties Inspector, specific to each object

Toolbar

: Save the diagram.

: Undo/Return to the last modification.

: Bring forward / Send backward / Bring to front / Send to back.

: Rearrange the objects in the diagram.

: Clear all elements in the diagram.

: Define the size of the grid in the workspace.

: Define the zoom level of the diagram.

: Adjust the zoom level to fit the entire diagram in the workspace.

: Toggle from full screen mode to the minimized graphic editor window.

: Print the diagram as a PDF document or as a hard copy.

: Show or hide snaplines in the workspace when moving objects.

Objects pane

The Objects pane is used to access the list of objects available on the platform.

• Click + or - to expand or minimize the sections.
• Click and drag an object to the Design pane to define its properties.

Monitoring

This is used to add a monitoring element to the diagram.

• This can be a configuration item (CI), i.e. host, service or user service.
       

• It can also be an existing diagram.

Metric

This is used to add a metric for a host or service.

Illustration

This is used to add an illustration to graphically enhance the diagram.

• : Add an image that is stored on your workstation.

• : Add a geometrical shape.

Design pane

The Design pane is a workspace used to define the layout of diagram objects. The pane is automatically refreshed each time the properties of objects are modified.

Principles of use

• You can move each object.
  • Hover over the object to display the  cursor.
  • Click and drag the object to its new position.

• You can resize each object.
  • Click one of the objects to display its resize handles.
  • Click one of the resize handles to display the  cursor.
  • Click and resize the object.
            
     

• Each object has different contextual options for performing different actions. Click the object to display them.
          
  • (1): Delete the object.
  • (2): Update the monitoring element, i.e. CI, metric or diagram.
  • (3): Link the object with other objects in the diagram.  See the procedure
  • (4): Rotate the object to the left or to the right.
  • (5) (Note: Only for hosts): Add a service associated with the host.

Properties Inspector

The Properties Inspector is used to configure each object used in the diagram. The Design pane is automatically refreshed each time properties are modified.

• Click one of the objects to display its Properties Inspector.
• Properties are specific to each type of object.

Shape

Note: Only for CIs.

This is used to modify the graphic outline of the CI. By default, it is a circle.

Text

Note: Only for CIs or metrics.

This is used to modify the font size, opacity and color of legends in objects.

• Main text: Text displayed in the first row. The default value is defined using the Content = [name] variable and corresponds to the following:
  • For CIs: Name of the host, service or user service
  • For metrics: Host name - Service name - Metric name - Statistics

• Sub text: Text displayed in the second row. The default value is defined using the Content = [companyName] variable and corresponds to the following:
  • Name of the company or site associated with the CI

Status

This is used to fill the shape of the CI with the color of its current status. You can also modify its opacity and the width of the outline.

• When the shape is filled with color, the CI icon will no longer be visible.
• The outline of the shape will be in the same color as the current status.

Image

This is used to show or hide the CI icon.

• Note: You cannot replace the icon.

Positioning

This is used to position the CI at a precise spot in the diagram.

General

This is used to apply a given CI style to all other CIs of the same type (i.e. hosts, services or user services) in the diagram.

Procedure: How to use the graphic editor

Step 1: Access the graphic editor

1. Select Configuration > Reporting in the menu.

2. Create or modify a Widget report where the Diagram template is used.

• You should specify the general information and click Apply if you are creating a new report.

The graphic editor will automatically appear.
 

Step 2: Create the diagram

1. Click and drag the relevant monitoring elements from the Objects pane to the workspace in the graphic editor.

• Select the company.
• Select the monitoring element you want to add.  See the description

• Click Add.

2. Modify the graphic properties of each object.

• Click the object.
• Define the contextual properties of the object in the Properties Inspector.  See the description

3. Arrange and link the objects based on their dependency relationships.

• Click one of the objects. 
• Click and drag the  icon to the object with which it should be linked.
  The cursor will change to .
          
• Drag the cursor until a border appears around the object to be linked.
  The cursor will change to .
          
• Release the mouse button.
   

• Hover over one of the flow lines.
• Click and drag the flow line to form the angle you want.
• Click  to delete an angle.
          

4. (optional) Illustrate the diagram.

• Go to the Illustration section in the Objects pane.
• Click and drag the Image object or the Shape object from the Design pane to the workspace.

5. Click  in the title bar of the graphic editor to save your diagram.