Center-to-Center connectors

[Paul]

After much rummaging around, I finally found a way to connect ovals in
such a way that the contact points at the perimeters automagically
reposition themselves for the shortest connection when ovals are moved
around.

1. Format->Behaviour->Connector(tab)->LineRouting(section)->Style-

CenterToCenter

Unfortunately, the default is rectilinear connections, after which I
have to set them to Center-to-Center. There must be a Page-wide or
File-wide setting that determines this default. I saw a similar
setting

2. File->PageSetup->LayoutAndRouting(tab)->Routing(section)->Style-

CenterToCenter

But this doesn't seem to help (neither on the existing page, nor on
any newly created pages). I find this odd, since

3. File->PageSetup->PageSize(tab)->PageSize(section)

affects all pages, but apparently not the #2 above. In fact, it
doesn't seem to affect any pages.

I've found no other settings that could change the connector style
default e.g. Tools->Options.

I also tried Format->Behaviour with nothing selected, but there is no
LayoutAndRouting tab.

Question#1: How can I set the connector style default?

Question#2: Is this a file-wide parameter?

Question#3: Can I convert lines drawn with the line tool (glued to
geometry) to such a smart connector? Currently, such lines do not
have a LayoutAndRouting tab.

Thanks!

 

[Paul]

After much rummaging around, I finally found a way to connect ovals in
such a way that the contact points at the perimeters automagically
reposition themselves for the shortest connection when ovals are moved
around.

1. Format->Behaviour->Connector(tab)->LineRouting(section)->Style-


Unfortunately, the default is rectilinear connections, after which I
have to set them to Center-to-Center.  There must be a Page-wide or
File-wide setting that determines this default.  I saw a similar
setting

2. File->PageSetup->LayoutAndRouting(tab)->Routing(section)->Style-


But this doesn't seem to help (neither on the existing page, nor on
any newly created pages).  I find this odd, since

3. File->PageSetup->PageSize(tab)->PageSize(section)

affects all pages, but apparently not the #2 above.  In fact, it
doesn't seem to affect any pages.

I've found no other settings that could change the connector style
default e.g. Tools->Options.

I also tried Format->Behaviour with nothing selected, but there is no
LayoutAndRouting tab.

Question#1:  How can I set the connector style default?

Question#2:  Is this a file-wide parameter?

Question#3:  Can I convert lines drawn with the line tool (glued to
geometry) to such a smart connector?  Currently, such lines do not
have a LayoutAndRouting tab.

Thanks!

Oh, forgot to mention that the format painter doesn't seem to transfer
the center-to-center attribute to lines drawn with the line tool.

 

[vojo]

page shapesheet page layout section Cell routestyle=16

Set on first sheet...it will carry forward with each insert new sheet.

BTW, I really dont think this will solve your problem assuming you want a
line end at the perimeters. Basically if the shape is not symmetrical about
the center, then the line end will sometimes appear and sometimes not.

 

[Paul]

The page of interest (Page i, not the first page) already has “cell
routesyle” 16. I went to the first page and set “cell routestyle” to
16 as well (using center-to-center on the menus rather than
shapesheet, but confirmed the change with shapesheet). Page i still
routes rectilinearly. I saved the file, exitted Visio 2000, and
reopened the file. The “cell routestyle” of both pages retained their
values of 16, but page i still routes rectilinearly. Page 1 also
routes rectilinearly.

What am I missing?

Also, regarding problem with nonsymmetric shapes, I don’t see that
problem. I made some very tall skinny ovals, and very flat, wide
ovals. The center-to-center connector between them are fine,
regardless of how I move the individual ovals about. The arrowheads
are always on the perimeter.

 

[Paul]

If I open up a new visio file of type “Blank”, I can set File-

PageSetup->LayoutAndRouting(tab)->Routing(section)->Style-
CenterToCenter and my connectors behave accordingly. Unfortunately,

I can’t drag this well-behaved page into the original file where I was
trying to achieve the same effect (I need the suite of pages in the
same file). Is there a way to transfer a page from one visio file to
another?

Also, I looked at the shapesheets of the new well-behaved file and old
misbehaving file with the suite of pages. Aside from different
physical length measurements, there are only two parameter
differences. In the new well-behaved file, DrawingSize Type is 2
versus 0, and it also has a “Connector” layer. Would this explain why
the old file misbehaves? If so, how would I migrate these parameters
to the old file’s shapesheet?

 

[WapperDude]

Hi Paul --

Very interestting discovery. I think the "key" might be located on a
different shapesheet. In the drawing that works correctly, select one of the
dynamic connectors and look at its shapesheet. Compare that with
"mis-behaving" drawing. Looks like there are some critical formulas in both
the 1-D Endpoints and Shape Transform sections.

Looks like you're getting closer!
Wapperdude

 

[WapperDude]

Hi Paul--
The PageSetup... approach would seem to be the correct method, generally.
But, there were instances as you noted, when the behavior didn't change as
desired. What I noticed was, that if I moved the end of a dynamic connector
away from the shape, and then back to it, such that the entire shape looked
like a large, red connection point, then the desired behavior was
re-established for that end. Bad that's ~ 2N moves for dynamic
connectors. So, if you have a lot, that's not good. But, at least, your
drawing can be salvaged. Sounds like a lot of work though.

Wapperdude

 

[Paul]

Hmm, I won't have access for a few days, so I can't see what were the
sections in which resided the differences I saw. I'm not sure if
you're implying that they are the same as the differences you describe
in your reply.

Oh, wait. I get it. Gotta scrutinize the shapesheet for the selected
object, not the page. Will give it a look see. Thanks.

 

[Paul]

I don't have access for a few days, so I can't check, but you might be
redoing connector lines rather than lines drawn with the line tool
For the latter, there is no setting corresponding to centre-to-
centre. So I'm basically redrawing all connections to get true
connection lines. Lots of work, but much less than the alternative.
What is the alternative? It is leaving all the lines with Glue-to-
Geometry. This means that whenever I move ONE node that has N
connections, I have to adjust both ends of each connection. This is
2N adjustments each time I move a node.

But thanks for lending your insight. The experience has been
"educational".

 

[WapperDude]

Yes, you are quite right, I was referring to dynamic connectors, not regular
lines. Unfortunately, I don't know on an easy way to replace the lines with
the connectors.

Wapperdude

 

[Paul Herber]

Yes, you are quite right, I was referring to dynamic connectors, not regular
lines. Unfortunately, I don't know on an easy way to replace the lines with
the connectors.

It's on my list of jobs to do.