Architecting and designing > IDEF > IDEF3 > Modeling object state with IDEF3 > Connecting referents to transition lines in IDEF3 OSTN diagram
  
Connecting referents to transition lines in IDEF3 OSTN diagram
Referents represent objects or information that are critical in the completion of a scenario.
In an IDEF3 OSTN, referents allow you to do the following tasks:
span multiple pages or loop back in a diagram layout
tie in specific examples of referenced data or objects (for example, screen layouts)
associate special constraint sets to object states; that is, associate an elaboration with an object state to describe additional facts, constraints, or decision logic which limit how that object state works
form references or links between IDEF3 OSTN diagrams and IDEF3 Process Flow diagrams.
Referents in an IDEF3 OSTN can signify either a UOB, a scenario, or a transition schematic.
1 Draw the referent.
2 Hold down Shift, and then click the transition line (drawn between two states), and the referent symbol you want to connect.
3 Select Tools, Link Transition with Referent.
This graphic is described in the surrounding text.
See also
Modeling object state with IDEF3