Keep a shape within a shape on top of connectors

[nortont]

I have been trying to make a shape to represent a piece of electronic equipment and its terminals.
I started by creating a terminal shape that has a property for the terminal text and text size. I managed to keep this on top of connectors by setting the Shapesheet > Shape Layout > DisplayLevel to a high number.

When I added that shape into a new shape, I loose this functionality. The connector is either behind the new shape group or in front of everything.

I have placed the 2 examples here for you to assess if you have any ideas.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/6747070/Visio/connector%20issue.zip

Tim
http://cctvdesign.com.au/visio

[aledlund]

Part of you problem is that in the process of creating  a group, you are creating a new shape that overrides the properties of the shapes that you use to make it with. You'll have to modify the new group as well.
al

[vojo]

I think you are mixing too many behaviors in this

If you want to.....then
- If you want the new shape always on top when you make a group automatically....use one of DOCMDs in a user cell and trigger off
  action or format change
- If you want connector always on top but part of the shape behind something other shape....then 2 shapes; connector "shape" and "real" shape
- if you want new shape to be added to current group.....set behavior of group and new shape to be acquired by group, then move to the front

I typically do this kind of thing without layers  (build shape, set z order manually, etc)

If you choose to tunnel into the shapes below, you can see other behaviors of interest
  - turn connectors on and off
  - amatuer attempt at light / shading
  - etc.

Visio 2003