Single ended connector

[Andy]

Anyone know if its possible to create a single ended dynamic
connector. I know strictly speaking its not really a connector then.
What I would like is a right angle connector, that only glues at one
and at the other end is a shape, e.g. arrow head. If I just do this
with a line end, it means it can be connected. I could prevent the
connection in VBA and disconnect it, but I was hoping not to have the
glue behaviour (or green connection) at the arrow end.

 

[John Goldsmith]

Hello Andy,

The Dynamic Connector is a shape like any other (although Visio does special
layout things with it when it finds it), so this means you can drop it onto
the page (as a Master) in just the same way.

Have a go at recording a macro of the steps you want to take, ie:

-Drop a Dynamic Connector shape onto the page
-Connect one end to a shape
-View your macro code

Hope that helps.

Best regards

John


John Goldsmith
www.visualSignals.typepad.co.uk
www.visualSignals.co.uk

 

[Andy]

What I'm after is creating my own modified version of a dynamic
connector that only connects at one end.

 

[John Goldsmith]

Hello Andy,

Can I ask why you want it to be dynamic (rather than static)? How do you
want the 'tail' to behave? ....and last one...in what situation do you want
to use it?

Best regards

John


John Goldsmith
www.visualSignals.typepad.co.uk
www.visualSignals.co.uk

 

[Andy]

Ideally I'd like to have the right-angle with routing behaviour. I'm
modelling electrical networks with automation, connecting switches,
fuses etc together with dynamic connectors representing the cables. In
some cases I have cables that connect to external circuits (not part
of my diagram). These are currently handles by a shape containing an
arrow head (with text) and connect this to a fuse with a dynamic
connector. I was trying to reduce the number of shapes on the diagram,
by combining the dynamic connector with the arrow head shape.

An example can be found at, http://pcmd.myzen.co.uk/sample.html

Each arrow has a piece of dynamic connector to join to the fuses. I
have several hundred of these on the diagram. So if I could combine
the connector and arrow head it would reduce the number of shapes. But
the arrow head needs to be positionable to accomodate text etc.

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

No need to combine the arrow head to the end of the line, the Dynamic
Connector has a line end built in. Go to Format, Line and choose the
appropriate line end.

I would add a guideline for the arrow end of the Dynamic Connector to
connect to.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm

 

[Andy]

I need a shape on the end of my line as the fill changes depending
upon the electrical condition. Guidelines aren't pratical as there
would be dozens of them. Also, you can't control the direction of the
line end, even if a guideline is used its difficult to control the
direction.

 

[WapperDude]

You can sort of do what you want. Create your "arrow head" shape, add a
connection point to it, route a piece of dynamic connector attaching one end
to the arrow head. Group these shapes. You can copy and paste as you
desire. Double click on the dynamic connector and drag the free end. It
should behave as normal. It's a bit clunky and I don't know if it really
saves you any steps.

Wapperdude