The builder is the core of the Synthace platform. It gives you complete freedom to define your experimental process, from foundational building blocks - called "elements".
Use the builder to design a workflow which describes the functional steps of your scientific protocols. Once your process is defined you can select the device, labware and liquids (samples, buffers etc.) - ready for simulation.
In addition to providing an interface to design your workflows, the builder allows you to apply complex DOE designs to your processes with ease.
The navigation bar
Synthace displays the name of your workflow in the navigation bar. The default name is New workflow.
Tip: Click the default name, then change it to something that you and your colleagues are more likely to recognise.
The details panel
If you click the chevron to the right of the name of your workflow, Synthace displays the details panel.
 | Create a copy of your workflow, which then opens.
Tip: After the workflow opens, Synthace will display it on the Drafts tab until you simulate it. |
 | Download your workflow. |
The toolbar
Synthace displays the toolbar on the left of the builder.
 | Create element group. Use this to group your elements, add a description, and improve readability of your workflow. |
| View example workflows. Explore our collection of ready-to-use example workflows for common scientific use cases. You can run these directly or customize the design to fit your needs. |
 | Open the elements list. Use this panel to add elements to your workflow. |
 | Open the simulations panel. This panel displays every simulation that you have created from your workflow. |
| Workflow details. This icon provides information on the creator of the workflow - and when they last modified the workflow. |
The elements panel
In the elements panel, Synthace displays a search bar, a tag filter and the elements that your organisation uses.
Use the search bar and the tags filter to find a specific element more quickly.
Search
Each element has a name and description. Use the search bar to find an element by its name or description. If you populate the search bar, the elements panel only displays the elements with a name or description that contains what you type.
Filter by tags
A tag describes a group to which an element belongs. An element can belong to one or more groups, so each element has one or more tags. Use the tags filter to select one or more tags. If you use this filter, the elements panel only displays the elements with the tags that you select.
Element selection panel
On each element in the elements panel, Synthace displays the name of the element, its description, and its tags.
The canvas
Use the canvas to connect different elements in different arrangements for different results.
Canvas controls
At the bottom of the builder, Synthace displays the canvas controls. Use them to get a better look at your workflow.
| Change the cursor to zoom mode, then click anywhere on the canvas to zoom into that spot. |
 | Change the cursor to pan mode, then click and drag to move the canvas in that direction. |
 | Centre everything on the canvas at the closest zoom level. |
 | Show the keyboard shortcuts. |
Elements
Elements are the building blocks of your workflows. Synthace contains a range of elements, each with a different function. However, every one serves the same purpose: to describe something that you want to do.
Amongst other things, an element might describe:
a liquid or plate that you want to use (e.g., the Define Liquid element describes a liquid that you want to use);
an action that you want a device to perform (e.g., the Aliquot Liquid element describes an aliquot that you want a liquid handler to perform); or
a change that you want to make to some data (e.g., the Add Column element describes a column that you want Synthace to add to some data).
Add an element to your workflow
Use the elements panel to add an element to your workflow.
Use the search bar and tag filter to find the element that you want to add.
Click or drag the element to add it to your workflow.
Inputs and outputs
On each element that you add to your workflow, Synthace displays two columns of coloured squares.
The squares on the left are the inputs to the element. The squares on the right are the outputs from the element.
Inputs
If an element describes something that you want to do, then the inputs to the element describe how you want to do it.
Example: In the Aliquot Liquid element, the Replicates input describes the number of times that you want the liquid handler to aliquot the liquid.
If you click an element, Synthace displays the inputs to the element in the Instance Parameters panel.
Outputs
The outputs from an element provide some data. Synthace generates this data from the inputs to the element. In most cases, you can join an output from one element to the input of another element. If you do, the former element tells the latter element something that it needs to know.
Example: In the Define Liquid element, the OutputLiquid output provides, amongst other things, the name and concentration of a liquid that you want to use. Synthace generates this data from the LiquidName, LiquidConcentration and other inputs that you used to describe the liquid. If you want your liquid handler to aliquot that liquid, you can join the OutputLiquid output to the LiquidToAliquot input of the Aliquot Liquid element. If you do, the Define Liquid element tells the Aliquot Liquid element about the liquid that you want it to aliquot.
Join an output to an input
When you add a new element to your workflow, some of the inputs and outputs of the existing elements might change shape.
If an input changes shape, you can join an output from another element to the input. If an output changes shape, you can join the output to an input to another element.
Click and hold the output that you want to join to an input.
Synthace adds a connector to the output.
Drag the connector to the input to which you want to join the output.
The value of the output from the first element becomes the value of the input to the second element.
Tip: To delete a connection, click the connection that you want to delete, then click the delete icon.
Warning: You cannot join an output of one colour to an input of another colour.
Colours
The colour of an input indicates the data that it requires. The colour of an output indicates the data that it provides.
Example: A dark blue input requires the name of a liquid. A dark blue output provides the name of a liquid.
An input of one colour cannot understand the data that an output of another colour provides. This means that you cannot join an output of one colour to an input of another colour.