Lay out Shapes (No Overlap, No Mess)

[Raterus]

I have a diagram that represents the flow of an entity throughout a system. It is made of about 30 rectangle shapes, with curved connectors.

What I'm trying to do is configure the diagram in such a way, that when I choose "Layout Shapes" Visio will nicely rearrange all my shapes and connectors in such a way that there is no shape overlap, no line/connector jumps...anywhere!

Here is what I've done,
I've messed with File >> Page Setup >> Layout and routing, changing the Separate and Overlap settings to "No Lines". I've also messed with the routing styles some.

What I'm getting confused on is all the possible routing styles you have to choose from. I really don't have a preference, and the diagram I have doesn't have a set "flow", it jumps all over, and there are many circular paths. As long as it looks good with no overlap, I'm fine with it!

Can someone help me configure some more settings so that hopefully "Layout Shapes" will play nicely with my diagram. As it stands now, my connectors overlap each other, sometimes they overlap shapes, and it looks like an awful mess!

Also, if there is another way to rearrange the diagram, I'm all ears!

Thanks,
--Michael

 

[Al Edlund]

you might check this out

http://blogs.msdn.com/visio/archive/2006/09/15/756352.aspx

al



I have a diagram that represents the flow of an entity throughout a system.
It is made of about 30 rectangle shapes, with curved connectors.

What I'm trying to do is configure the diagram in such a way, that when I
choose "Layout Shapes" Visio will nicely rearrange all my shapes and
connectors in such a way that there is no shape overlap, no line/connector
jumps...anywhere!

Here is what I've done,
I've messed with File >> Page Setup >> Layout and routing, changing the
Separate and Overlap settings to "No Lines". I've also messed with the
routing styles some.

What I'm getting confused on is all the possible routing styles you have to
choose from. I really don't have a preference, and the diagram I have
doesn't have a set "flow", it jumps all over, and there are many circular
paths. As long as it looks good with no overlap, I'm fine with it!

Can someone help me configure some more settings so that hopefully "Layout
Shapes" will play nicely with my diagram. As it stands now, my connectors
overlap each other, sometimes they overlap shapes, and it looks like an
awful mess!

Also, if there is another way to rearrange the diagram, I'm all ears!

Thanks,
--Michael