This article explains how to use the Paths activity to route orders based on conditions like coating type. You’ll learn how to define rules that determine whether an order should follow a special route (e.g., go through lamination) or continue through the standard production flow. This guide walks you through setting conditions, using fallback logic, and visualizing path routing.
Setting Up the Paths Activity in Your Workflow
The Paths activity allows you to define different routing options for orders based on specific conditions from the workflow context. It’s useful when certain production steps, like lamination, are only needed for specific order types.
Here’s how to set it up:
Insert the Paths Activity
Drag and drop the Paths activity into your workflow.
Place it after the step where a conditional route may be needed. For example, place it after Printing and before Cutting if you want to check whether lamination should occur.
Add Conditional Paths
Select the Paths activity and add a new path (e.g., Path A).
Define the condition for this path using context values. For instance, to trigger the path when lamination is needed:
Choose
coating typefrom the context.Use
equal toas the condition.Enter the exact value from the context, e.g.,
glossy lamination.
Note: The value must
match exactly (case-sensitive). If the context contains
glossy lamination, enteringGlossy Laminationwill not trigger the path.
Set a Fallback Path
If no condition is met, the fallback path ensures the order continues smoothly.
Create another path and select the fallback option. This acts as a catch-all route if no other path is triggered.
Customizing and Managing Paths
You can personalize the paths to make your workflow clearer and easier to manage:
Rename Paths
Give each path a descriptive name such as Glossy Lamination or Fallback to reflect the route logic.
Add or Remove Paths
Click to add more paths as needed.
Use the delete icon to remove paths that are no longer relevant.
Add Steps in Each Path
Insert specific activities within each path. For example, add a Laminating step to the lamination path.
Testing and Visualizing the Workflow
After configuring your paths:
Run a test to verify how the workflow behaves.
If the order contains the
glossy laminationcontext value, it will follow the lamination route.If not, the fallback path will be triggered, bypassing the lamination step and proceeding to cutting.
This setup ensures that only relevant production steps are executed based on the specific order context, keeping your workflow efficient and adaptable.
FAQ
What happens if the condition doesn't exactly match the context value?
The condition will not trigger. Paths are case-sensitive and must match the context value exactly.
Can I use multiple conditions in a path?
Currently, each path uses a single condition. To evaluate multiple criteria, set up multiple paths or use context values that combine data points.
Is fallback required?
While not mandatory, it's recommended to avoid dead ends in the workflow.
Can I edit a path later?
Yes, you can modify conditions or rename paths at any time to keep your logic up to date.
📝 Not what you needed?
Help us improve this article, send us an email to [email protected] — please include the article title.