Connecting Shapes in Visio

[Stephen]

I have a brainstorming chart that has a main topic shape in the background
with topic in the foreground overlying the main topic shape. I have grouped
the shapes and linked them to a similar main topic with a dynamic connector.
All looks ok.
When I save an open the main topics and topics are scrambled all over the
screen . Is there a setting somewhere that stops this ocurring? hints to
resolve ?

 

[Paul Herber]

I have a brainstorming chart that has a main topic shape in the background
with topic in the foreground overlying the main topic shape.

Fine so far, except you cannot connect to shapes in background pages.

I have grouped the shapes

Which shapes have you grouped? You only have two shapes so far on
different pages. These cannot be grouped. Are there more shapes that
you haven't mentioned yet? Besides, when grouping these shapes you get
a warning message that brainstorming shapes cannot be grouped.

 

[Stephen]

Thanks for your prompt response.
I only have one layer in use I do not believe they are on differtent pages.
.. I created an a4 page. The then created anumber of similar main topics with
stacked minor topics. I then right clicked the shape selected " shape" "
send to back " to ensure the main topic and minor topics could be viewed. I
then enclosed the main topic in a selectiopn box and selected all. Teh major
and minor topics were all shown in enclosing boxes. I then selected group and
a single group box appeared around the group. I could then move the group
around as I wished .

I then created further main topics and connected them with curved dynamic
connectors to othother grouped topics.. Saved and on reopening experienced
the scrambling.

I have discovered that if I select all the objects on the page ( Multiple
grouped objects produced by the above steps connected with curved connector
lines) and then group all of them to a single group and them then save the
file the rearranging / scrambling does not occur when I reopen the file.

It appears that it is only when I save a file that does not have all teh
grouped and single objects grouped to a single object that the reopend file
is scrambled. (By scrambled I mean that main topics can finish up way off the
page from the minor topics they are grouped to. The connectors between major
topics realign to suit the new location.) . I have also identified that they
still remain grouped as they will move together if selected but have not kept
their originally set relationship. In some cases I have found that when this
happens it is not possible to restore the original relationship without first
deleting all the connectors between the major topics.
It seems as if there is a system setting that forces major topic shapes away
from other topic shapes maybe connector related??

Hope this clarifies.
Regards Stephen

 

[Paul Herber]

On Thu, 8 Jan 2009 17:50:01 -0800, Stephen

email me the file

paul
at
pherber
dot
com

 

[Stephen]

two files sent
Stephen

 

[Paul Herber]

Right, well, first of all I don't see the shapes moving when the page
is initially loaded, but that's not the most important bit.

I think the brainstorming addon is trying to do its best, you've
grouped many of the shapes, some appear to have been converted to
groups. The addon probably doesn't know what to make of them and what
lines there are just routing round the other shapes.
Most of your topics are not connected to anything so the addon is
probably do quite the right thing by moving them.
I don't know how you've managed to group the shapes but if you've
joined the shapes with the connector then they'd all move together
anyway.

Honestly, I would start again, but don't group shapes this time, join
them with the connectors to make the diagram work correctly.
If you don't need the connectors then it isn't a brainstorming diagram
and you should be using another way of showing the diagram. Use more
than one diagram type if necessary.

 

[Stephen]

Thanks paul . It started as a brainstorming diagram with links to each topic
and wa s then modified. Will just have to work another way of summarising
the info
Regards Stephen