Visio Guy

Visio Discussions => General Visio => Topic started by: mirageservo on April 03, 2018, 03:52:52 AM

Title: Increase connection points in a shape
Post by: mirageservo on April 03, 2018, 03:52:52 AM
Hello,

Is there any way to increase the connection points in each shapes, currently a box has only four(4) points to which a connector can be attached, the nesw (north east south west), any chance we can attach more connectors without several connectors overlapping one another?

Please advise,

Thank you,
Mirage
Title: Re: Increase connection points in a shape
Post by: Paul Herber on April 03, 2018, 08:30:32 AM
Each shape would have to be edited individually, the master shape within the stencil or a copy of it if it is one of Microsoft's own shapes (editing the built-in shapes is not allowed directly).
Another way to do this is to change your connector glue settings:
On the ribbon View -> Visual Aids -> the small down arrow in the bottom corner
This brings up the Snap & Glue settings.
Change the Glue To settings to include Shape Geometry and/or Shape Vertices.
Title: Re: Increase connection points in a shape
Post by: Hey Ken on April 03, 2018, 12:54:43 PM
Mirage:

   It's pretty straightforward to add new connection points. 

   Open the shapesheet for the box.  If the Connection Points section isn't there, right click and select Insert Section, then click Connection Points.  Right click inside the section and choose Insert Row.  You now have an additional connection point.  Change the X and Y cells to position the new point where you want it.  I've found it best to use multiples of Width for X and Height for Y.  You can do the same trick and edit the master shape's shapesheet if you want all boxes to have the extra connection points.  (Note that you need to turn on the Developer Mode option to be able to see the shapesheet.)

    While Paul's suggestion will also work, I find that playing with the glue settings can get aggravating.  Too strong a setting and lines will unexpectedly jump to your box, like fans flocking to a rock star.  Too weak a setting and lines jump to the wrong spot, like your girlfriend deciding to date your roommate.  But connection points are much better behaved, like a kid in church when Santa is watching.  As you can tell, I'm not stuck on glue.

    Good luck!

    - Ken

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