Attach Methods |
The attach method controls how connectors will connect to figures when
you click on the figure in connect mode. You select an attach method
from the Connectors menu. The attach method applies only when you are
creating a connector. Once it is created, changing the method does not
affect whether it remains attached or where it attaches. The following
attach methods are available:
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Freeform (no attach)
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With this attach method objects are ignored. The connector begins where
you first click the mouse and terminates where you double-click, not
becoming attached at either end. This method is helpful for free drawing
such as adding an arrow pointing from one part of a diagram to another
rather than from one figure to another.
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Centers
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With this attach method, connectors attach to the centers of figures.
The connector extends from the center of the first figure that you
click on, to the center of the second figure you click on. Even though
the connectors are attached to the center, they still terminate at the
border of the figure for drawing purposes. When using this attach method,
the CTRL key temporarily switches to freeform.
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Click Point
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With this attach method, connectors attach to figures at the point where
you click. A temporary connection point appears where you click. (However,
“Use Connection Points” does not need to be enabled.) When
clicking on a figure to initiate or terminate a connector, a form of
snap gravity is used to snap to the center, the horizontal and vertical
axes, and the edges. If the snap grid is enabled, click points can only
occur on the grid or at a gravity point. When using this attach method,
the SHIFT key temporarily switches to the Centers attach method
described above.
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Use Connection Points
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This option affects how connectors attach to figures independent of the
attach method. Figures can have connection points either in their original
definition or ones that you add. When this option is enabled, connection
points are visible and enabled with any of the attach methods other
than freeform (which doesn't attach anything).
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For most diagramming, Centers attach mode combined with occasional use of
CTRL is the most useful.
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