Flow Chart Tools

Tools | Flow Chart | Basic Shape

This tool creates flow charts using all the recognized flow diagram shapes and connectors,

Options Include 

• Basic Shapes
• Attached Text
• Connector

Basic Shapes

Tools | Flow Chart | Basic Shapes

This tool is used to draw all basic shapes used in a Flow Chart. Currently, there are 10 shapes available in the local menu, which can be inverted with an option available.

Examples of the basic shapes are shown below.

Flow Chart Basic Shapes

Example

1. Select Tools > Flow Chart > Basic Shapes.
2. Select the Basic Shape from the options shown below, inputting the Width and Height.
3. Position the shape in the editor.

TIP

To create a filled shape, select the basic shape, set the size, then right click in the editor and select Properties from the local menu. Set the Brush Pattern to solid.

Connector

Tools | Flow Chart | Connector

The Connector Creation tool is a part of the Flow Chart in the Tools menu.

This tool is used to connect different shapes.

Options Include :

• Straight
• Perpendicular 90
• Parallel
• Perpendicular 270
• Flip
• Smart
• Link

TIP

If the Smart option is enabled, the type of connector (the direction of the arrows) is determined by the connected segment.

If the Link option is enabled, then a link is created between the connector and the connected object.

Link between Object and Connector

A connector can create a link to a closed polyline. If the connected object is moved or updated, the connector follows the object.

Double-sided Arrow Connector

Two points define connectors, and each point can have arrows. This can be changed/specified in the Selection Information Palette properties of the connector.

The connector will be curved if the “Curved” property is checked from the Selection Information Palette options.

Attached Text 

Tools | Flow Chart | Attached Text

A new tool Attached Text has been added to the Tools > Flow Charts menu. This adds the ability to attach text to any object.

The text is attached to the object so that the center of the text is the same as the center of the object. Whenever the object changes, the position of the text also changes.

Before moving shape

Text moves along with the shape, as does the linked connector.

After moving shape