Lars Clausen wrote:
I have found that you can take a line an add a whole bunch of connection point to it, then attach the line to the class box at the corners.On Sun, 10 Nov 2002, David Hickerson wrote:I have done enough class diagrams in Rat Rose to hate the way they do lines, and I am sure that everyone has opinion one way or the other. I suggest the API programmer's approach: "Extend do not change". Make it an option of the line to behave either way or make additional new lines.I'd like to hear what is considered better with the 'middle' connection. If it's the ease of connecting to the object, we could have it snap to the nearest connection point. If it's about the limited number of connection points, that's more tricky. I think the first is a more valid concern -- not having to find a connection point would be great, interface-wise.
I played with class shape and the zigzag line a little bit. I still find it hard is some cases to get he line to match up with the connection point exactly to make the arrow head point into the class shape. This is especially the case when zoom in on the class. Also, this behavior only happens when connecting to the sides of a shape. Connecting from the top or bottom is fine, the arrow head always points correctly. This is do to the end control point behavior of expanding in only the vertical direction and the middle segment handling the horizontal direction expansion. I don't know hard this would be, but could the zigzag line be given an attribute to act in either horzontal manner or a vertical manner at the end control points, basically the ability to turn it 90 degrees. This I think would fix side attachments to a shape.There is definely one improvement needed for lines. And that is the arrow head needs to also be manully rotatable. Having the line horizontal and the arrow head vertical when connected to a class because the line is pixel hair off the point of connection is pain. Give me a control point for the rotation of the arrow head.Before we go in and add more control points, let's consider when it is really necessary. One change that's started is to have zig-zag lines be more intelligent about their orientation. It hasn't propagated beyond the standard zigzagline and box yet, and only works at creation (though I have a way to have it work for later, too). It makes sure that the arrow points into the object, instead of being placed on the line of the object. The only case where you could get a funny angled arrow is at a corner connection point. Try it out and see if you still feel that arrow handles are necessary.
On another note. I am interested in creating and contributing some shapes, specifically software design patterns. I have tried to create one pattern and export it to a shape, however it loses its UML properties in the translation to a shape. Is there a way to do this a shape?
Dave
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