Showing Hierarchies with Block Diagram Shapes

In a block diagram, you can graphically represent many types of systems. The components of the system are represented by blocks, which are often labeled, as shown in Figure 11-2. You can add arrows to show the direction in which a process flows or to depict system inputs and outputs. Most people create block diagrams with the goal of including them within a presentation, report, Web site, or other document. Manufacturers of equipment, such as electronic and computer equipment, often create block diagrams and add links from each component to another page that describes the component in detail.

Figure 11-2. This block diagram represents an audio system.


Creating Block Diagrams

When you create a block diagram, you start by dragging out the shapes you want to create and then go back and type the text. Finally, you arrange the shapes where you want them on the drawing page. Visio 2007 contains a number of alignment tools that can help you position the shapes. For example, display the Action toolbar (choose View, Toolbars, Action) to put the alignment and other useful tools close at hand.

Follow these steps to create a block diagram:

1.
Choose File, New, General, Block Diagram.

2.
From the Blocks stencil, drag shapes onto the drawing page.

3.
Select the Connector Tool before you drag a shape so that the shape automatically connects to the previous shape you dropped. To add text to a shape, select the shape, and then type. Visio 2007 automatically zooms in so you can read the text more easily.

Connector Tool

4.
To change the order of overlapping shapes, select a shape, and then choose Shape, Order, Bring Forward or Send Backward.

5.
To nudge a shape a tiny amount in any direction, select the shape, and then press an arrow key.

6.
To add arrows to your drawing, drag shapes from the Blocks or Blocks Raised stencil.

Note

To add shapes, such as triangles, squares, and other geometric shapes, open the Basic Shapes stencil by choosing File, Shapes, General, Basic Shapes.

7.
To align shapes more precisely, use the Align Shapes and Distribute Shapes tools on the Action toolbar.

For details about aligning shapes, see the section titled “Positioning Shapes Precisely” in Chapter 16, “Measuring and Dimensioning with Precision.”


Using Auto-Connect to Connect Your Diagram

Auto-Connect can help you quickly and neatly connect shapes in your diagram. Instead of trying to get the perfect straight line with the connector tool, just use Auto-Connect.

There are different ways to use Auto-Connect. Here’s one way: When you already have one shape in your diagram and you would like to connect it to another shape that is not on the page, follow these steps:

1.
Drag the shape you wish to connect to the shape already in your diagram from the stencil on top of the shape already in your diagram. This should make one of the blue arrows on your original shape become a darker blue.

2.
Release the mouse button, and your two shapes will be connected.

Another way to use Auto-Connect is when the two shapes you want to connect are already on the page. Make sure there are no other shapes close to the two shapes you want to connect, or Auto-Connect might get confused and connect the wrong shapes. To connect two shapes that are already on the page using Auto-Connect, follow these steps:

1.
Place the two shapes you wish to connect in the places you wish them to be.

2.
Click on one of the blue arrows on the side of one of the shapes you wish to connect. The shape you wish to connect to should then be highlighted in red. Click on the arrow. Your two shapes should now be connected.

Enabling and Disabling Auto-Connect

To enable or disable Auto-Connect in all Visio 2007 drawings, follow these steps:

1.
On the Tools menu, click Options.

2.
Click the General tab.

3.
Under Drawing Window Options, select the Enable Auto-Connect check box.

To enable or disable Auto-Connect in the current drawing, only click the Auto-Connect tool on the Standard toolbar.

Modifying Block Diagram Shapes

With block diagram shapes, you can safely use the generic Visio 2007 editing techniques described elsewhere in this book. For example:

  • Drag a green selection handle to resize a shape.

  • Use the Pencil tool to add vertices and reshape shapes.

    See Chapter 22, “Drawing and Editing to Create New Shapes,” for additional information on the Pencil Tool.


  • Glue 1-D arrows to 2-D blocks at the blue connection points.

A few shapes include shortcut menu options and control handles that you use for reshaping and editing. As Figure 11-3 shows, a control handle is the yellow, diamond-shaped handle that appears when you select a shape. You can drag a control handle to change the shape’s appearance. Table 11-2 includes the names of common block diagram shapes with descriptions of how you modify them.

Figure 11-3. Drag the yellow control handles to change the shape’s appearance.


Table 11-2. Shortcuts for Editing Block Shapes
Shape NameEditing Shortcut
3-D BoxUse the control handles to adjust depth and orientation of the shape’s shadow.
Arrow BoxUse the control handles to adjust the size and position of the arrow with respect to the rectangle.
1-D Single, 2-D SingleRight-click the shape, and then choose Open Tail to remove the ending line.
1-D Single Open, 2-D Single OpenRight-click the shape, and then choose Close Tail to add an ending line.
Curved ArrowRight-click the shape, and then choose Close Tail to add an ending line.

There are many ways to modify block diagram shapes. The best advice is to play around, have fun, and realize that whatever you do to a shape can be undone when you choose Edit, Undo (or press Ctrl+Z).

Creating Tree Diagrams

Tree diagrams show hierarchical relationships, which cover everything from hardware connections to tournament playoffs, as Figure 11-4 shows. Use a tree diagram for the following:

  • To show the relationship between a central idea and its subsidiary concepts

  • To show the connection between one component and others within a process or system

  • To indicate descendants and ancestors

  • To represent taxonomy

Figure 11-4. With a tree diagram, you can document many types of hierarchical structures.


Starting a New Tree Diagram

To create a tree diagram, begin by dragging as many boxes as there are components in your tree structure. Then, drag a tree shape and connect the branch ends to the connection points of the boxes. Finally, position your boxes on the page. If you glue the boxes to the tree structure, they stay attached as you rearrange shapes.

Follow these steps to create a tree diagram:

1.
Choose File, New, General, Block Diagram.

2.
Drag box shapes or other shapes from the Blocks stencil onto the drawing page to represent the components in your structure.

3.
Drag one of the four tree shapes from the Blocks stencil onto the drawing page (Double Tree Sloped, Double Tree Square, Multi-Tree Sloped, or Multi-Tree Square).

4.
If you want two branches, use a Double-Tree shape. If you want more than two branches, use a Multi-Tree shape. Drag a control handle on the branch of a tree shape to a connection point on a block shape. The endpoints turn red when they are connected.

If a tree shape doesn’t point in the right direction, select the shape, and then press Ctrl+H to flip the shape horizontally or Ctrl+L to rotate it 90 degrees to the left. By the same token, Ctrl +R rotates the shape 90 degrees to the right, and Ctrl+J makes the shape jump. Just kidding... Ctrl+J flips the shape vertically. To add branches to a Multi-Tree shape, drag the control handle on the trunk away from the shape to create up to six more branches. Drag the control handle at the end of a branch (horizontally or vertically) to change the branch length or position.

5.
Drag arrows and other shapes to emphasize your main idea.

6.
To add text to a shape, select the shape, and then type.

7.
To move a main branch up or down the tree trunk, select the tree shape, and then press an arrow key.

Modifying Tree Diagram Shapes

The tree shapes on the Blocks stencil look pretty simple but include some clever behavior. For example, when you select a tree shape that’s glued to box shapes on the drawing page, you can use the arrow keys to move the branches without moving the entire structure. Table 11-3 describes other shortcuts for working with tree shapes.

Table 11-3. Shortcuts for Editing Tree Shapes
TaskEditing Shortcut
Adjust the position of a branchDrag the control handle on the end of a tree shape to a new position.
Move the trunk of a tree shapeIf the tree is glued to other shapes, select the tree, and then press an arrow key.
Create up to six branches on a Multi-TreeDrag the control handle on the trunk of a Multi-Tree shape away from the shape.
Adjust the distance between branches in a connected tree structureDrag the box to which the tree is connected to a new location.
Remove a branch from a tree shapeDrag the control handle for the branch you want to remove back to the trunk of the tree shape. If you subsequently wish to add it back, you need only grab the control handle on the tree trunk and drag it out again.

Troubleshooting: When moving a tree branch, the entire tree structure moves instead

Tree shapes, as specialized as they are, can be challenging to modify. Your best option when shapes move unexpectedly is to immediately press Ctrl+Z to reverse the effect. If you have performed several actions since the inadvertent move, press Ctrl+Z several times to back up and undo them all. For better success when moving branches, zoom to the tree shape before dragging it (or its control handle) to a new position. To zoom in quickly, hold down Shift+Ctrl and click with the mouse. (Hold down Shift+Ctrl and right-click to zoom out.)


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