Frame objects in 2c8 Apps

What is a frame object?

A frame object is used to group and structure other objects in a model by creating a visual and logical frame.

When an object is displayed as a frame, other objects can be placed inside it, making it possible to organize content based on structure, responsibility, or context.

Why use frame objects?

Frame objects help create structure and clarity in models by grouping objects within a shared context.

They help you:

• create an overview in large models
• clarify boundaries between different areas
• organize processes, roles, and systems into logical groups
• reduce complexity and improve readability
• support analysis, communication, and navigation

By using frame objects, it becomes easier to understand how different parts of the organization are connected and what role they play in the bigger picture.

When are frame objects used?

Frame objects are used when you want to group and structure information in a model.

They are commonly used in:

• main process maps to group management, core, and support processes
• enterprise-wide models to show how the organization is structured
• architecture and system overviews to group objects within the same area or domain
• models with many objects and relationships where additional structure and readability are needed
• models where you want to clarify responsibilities, ownership, or boundaries between different areas

How do you create a frame object?

To use an object as a frame in a model:

1. Place the object on the modeling area.
2. Right-click the object.
3. Select Show symbol as frame.

When this option is selected, a dialog opens where you can configure the frame object.

In the dialog, you can:

• define which object types can be related to the frame
• choose relationship types, such as Consists of, Collaborates with, Used by, or Addresses
• specify the relationship direction, either from the frame object or to the frame object
• configure multiple relationships for the same frame object

After saving the configuration, the object is displayed as a frame and can be used to group other objects in the model.

How does a frame object work?

A frame object can:

• visually contain other objects in the model
• have its own relationships to other objects
• define how relationships should be interpreted

This means that a frame object is not only a visual grouping mechanism but also an active part of the model.

Relationships defined for the frame object can be used to describe how the objects inside the frame relate to other objects in the model. This allows relationships to be managed at a higher level instead of being created for each individual object.

Configure relationships for frame objects

When an object is used as a frame, you can define relationships that determine how the frame interacts with other objects.

You can configure:

Relationship type

Examples include:

• Consists of
• Collaborates with
• Used by
• Addresses

Relationship direction

You can specify:

• from the frame object to other objects
• from other objects to the frame object

Multiple relationships

A frame object can have multiple relationships at the same time, making it possible to:

• connect different types of objects
• describe different dependencies
• create more detailed structures within an overview

Example: Frame objects in a Main process map

In a Main process map, frame objects are often used to group processes at different levels.

• Management Process contains governing processes and decision-making activities.
• Core Process contains the organization's value-creating processes.
• Support Process contains processes that support the business.

By using frame objects, it becomes easy to see which processes belong to each area while keeping the model structured and easy to understand.