grouped rack shapes

[goltoof]

Since I mostly do rack diagrams, the generic "Rack-mounted Equipment" shapes come in handy.  Just about everything i draw has a panel.  So I use the "Cable tray/spacer" shape for both front and back views since it resizes by RUs and snaps perfectly onto a rack.  Problem is when I group a bunch of shapes to that shape it doesn't snap or resize anymore.

How do I go about grouping shapes to smart rack shapes like this while retaining it's RU sizing/snapping properties?  Or a basic procedure for making resizeable rack shapes from scratch would be good too.

[aledlund]

I'd start over here
http://www.visiozone.com/?p=298
al

[goltoof]

That's excellent.  Now that I can make a shape that'll snap into a rack, how do I get it to resize by 1.75" increments?

[aledlund]

That takes some smart's in the shape, usually done by creating a 'multi-shape'.  Multi-shapes have (usually) a couple of different geometry sections. There are examples over here on how to get started.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visio/archive/2006/07/21/673305.aspx

David Parker also did an article on his blog that might give you some ideas

http://davidjpp.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/a-patch-panel-that-can-be-1u-too/

al