Shapes within a group: Maintaining size?

[beradio1]

I've searched for this, so I may not be asking the "right" question in the
search box.

I've created, for simplicity, two shapes. I position them where I want and
then group them together to make a new shape. My issue is when I resize the
whole shape, the smaller piece changes size too. I do NOT want that to
happen. The overall width of the shape must stay the same while allowing the
length to change. The smaller shape that makes up the whole shape MUST stay
the same no matter what. How can I do this?

I've tried formatting the little shape so the height and width are
protected. I even protected the shape "from group formatting". No luck. I
looked at behaviors but do not see anything that helps.

Thanks for any insight.

Bill

 

[beradio1]

John,
Thanks for the response. I'll try this. I thought I did that when I set
the formats of each component before grouping. One shape I fixed the height
and the width, the other shape I made 1-D. Maybe I should make the first
shape 1-D also?

Still messing with it. I wish it was a bit more intuitive. Looks like I am
getting mo better with it and may have to spring for some classes to refine
my knowledge. I'll see how this works.

Bill

 

[beradio1]

John,

I make it 1-d so I can stretch it. I'm a broadcast engineer and I am
designing a layout for a transmitter site. I want to make a piece of
transmission line with a fixed width and a flange piece on one end. The
piece/shape then can be lengthened or shortened depending on placement.
Ideally a flange piece would be on both ends, but I decided to start "small"
or easy. ;-)

If you feel this is a mistake and I should keep it 2-d, that's ok with me.
I just need to make sure if I make a flange and group it into one shape, the
flange does not change size.

Regards,
Bill

 

[John... Visio MVP]

What you are describing suggests you consider line patterns and line ends.
John G has a good two part article on them and the second part of the
article
http://visualsignals.typepad.co.uk/vislog/2008/03/creating-rand-1.html has
some examples that may be applicable to you situation.

In general terms, the flanges you are describing are the same as arrow heads
that can be placed on the end of lines.

John... Visio MVP

 

[beradio1]

Thanks for the link. I'll hit that next.

Interesting comparison of the flanges as arrow heads. That is very much
like I treat them now. I make my "pipe" which is a section of transmission
line and then I "attach" the flange. It's a multipart process and I would
like to make one that is length adjustable without changing the dimension of
the flange.

Very cool thought.

Bill

 

[John... Visio MVP]

The article has a set of downloadable examples that you can play with.

John...