Two part question...
First, I'm connecting my shapes with thick lines to resemble cables and need to represent a certain number of loops made by the cable between the two shapes. There's no intuitive way to do this with drawing tools. The Arc tool is too rigid and the Freeform tool can but is very sloppy. How to draw smooth lines with symmetrical loops?
Second, Is there any way to apply a pattern to a line? Or create a shape that behaves, bends and twists like a line, with a specific fill pattern? Particularly the pattern of an RG braided coaxial cable? ;D
For the 2nd part of your question: custom line patterns ...
Perhaps the best references include:
http://www.visguy.com/2008/03/03/release-the-power-of-visio-custom-line-patterns/
http://www.visguy.com/2008/03/29/smart-lineweight-bigger-shape-thicker-lines/
The 1st reference, which includes links to John Goldsmith's development on custom line patterns, is a must for understanding, creating, applying line patterns.
The 1st part of your question, when you say "coils" are you saying you want something that would look like a cable coilled up on the floor near the equipment, or are you saying you want something that looks more "springy-like", e.g. a telephone cord, that stretches between the various shapes?
Wapperdude