How to open a closed shape

[Jennifer]

I created two closed shapes using the line tool. Now I would like to combine them to make a single more complex shape.

How can I open each closed shape so that I can attach the ends to make a single shape?

I'd like to be able to break the shapes open at one of the nodes (vertices?).

Thanks

[Paul Herber]

I doubt it's possible to suggest anything without access to the shape. Do you want to post a document here?

[Jennifer]

Paul,

I've attached a small Visio document, but the problem is very simple. I created a triangle using the line tool. When I connected the third leg of the triangle, the shape became "closed". Now I would like to break one of the connections so that I can add more lines to the shape.

Thanks

[JuneTheSecond]

How would you like to edit Geometry section in shapesheet window?

[Jennifer]

Well, the last time I tried something like that, I didn't do so well. But I'm always up for trying to follow simple instructions!

Is there really no simple way to just un-connect two lines that used to be unconnected? Seems like a useful function.

[wapperdude]

Per JuneTheSecond's reply: 
  1.)  Open triangle shapesheet
  2.)  Last line in Geometry section has entries: 
        Xcell:  Geometry1.X1    Ycell:  Geometry1.Y1
   3.)  Change these entries to:
        Xcell:  Width*0             Ycell:  Height*1

That breaks the lock between 1st point and last point.  Keep Line 4 entry selected.  Now you can use pencil tool to grab that point (it's at node A), click to change cursor to move and drag the point.

However, if you don't want to edit the shapesheet, hold the Cntl key down and use pencil tool to click on a line.  That inserts a node.  You can than grab the node with the pencil tool and drag it.  You will still have a connected shape, but now have one more line segment.  Do as often as you want.

Ah!  A third method, which is visual equivalent of shapesheet method.  Note, this only works on Node A, because that's where the joining is.  Take pencil and select Node A of the shape.  Then go to menu bar>shape>operations>subtract.  That's it.  Subtract unjoins.

Wapperdude

[JuneTheSecond]

And if you need to open a closed shape, how would you like to trim the shape?
Here is an example video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76bu2doyfFE&feature=youtu.be

[wapperdude]

Nice video!  The "trim" approach seems to have the advantage that it will work with any node.  It is easy enough, though.  Just a few more steps than the "subtract" method.

Wapperdude