#1
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not-rectangular container or doted line
I am quite new to Visio and I am using Visio 2013 professional.
I´ve got a quite complex diagram with a lot of shapes. Now I´d like to group some of the shapes optically with a doted line or so arround them. My first Idea was to use a container but now there is my problem: I only can draw a rectangular container arround the shapes which also covers other shapes in the neighborhood which are not part of the group. Question: How can I use a not-rectangular container - for example in L-form. The other Idea would be just to "draw" a freehand doted line arround the shape but I don´t find how to do this either. Any help is very welcome. Thank you in advance! |
#2
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I do not have the 2013 Professional version of Visio; however, for what you are asking can be done in any version...So, here is my input:
(1) Group all of the shapes that you are wanting to be within your outside dotted line; (2) Use any shape you want to completely cover the grouped shapes and send that shape to the "back" (or, behind) the grouped shapes; (3) Remove the background color of your shape (or, recolor to what suits your needs); (4) Change the outside line of shape to dotted, dashed, or desired line type; (5) Group the entire objects/shapes together as one. It has been awhile since I last used Visio in a professional environment, so hope this works for you. |
#3
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Dear Jim,
thanks a lot. I really tried but it did not work for me. (2) is my main problem- how to draw a custom shape or freehand line round the grouped shapes. I try to post a screenshot to illustrate my needs - hope it works. There are 4 shapes - 1, 2, 3, 4 I want to have a dotted line arround 1, 2 and 3. Not arround 4. The best thing for me would be if there was just a possibility to draw a line freehand. Edit: Screenshot does not work. Very easy: 4 rectangles First line: 1, 2 second line: 3, 4 Last edited by cosmicyes; 01-04-2018 at 12:40 AM. Reason: Screenshot does not work |
#4
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I have attached a file illustrating the grouping scenario I referred to in my earlier post. The only thing I did that you did not refer to is that rather than using free-form drawing around the grouped objects is that I simply used another shape and enlarged it. (FWIW, I never used free-form drawing in Visio...so many other/better/professional options available.)
HTHs... Original file did not upload (invalid file), converted to .pdf for uploading. Last edited by JimP; 01-04-2018 at 01:23 AM. Reason: Attachement did not attach |
#5
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oh, I did not see that it is possible to attach files here
Thank you once again, Jim. But what if my shapes are for example arranged like in the attached file. I want the dotted line like the red line excluding shape No. 4. For many reasons I do not want to re-arrange the shapes. Do I need to build an own shape that fits exactly in the red line or is there a simpler way? See attachement |
#6
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You can use the "Connector Tool" from the Standard Toolbar to create the shape you want indicated in your red line. You do this by using a series of straight lines (however many is needed) ... connecting each line with each other, then grouping the lines together. See my attachment.
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#7
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Thank you so much, Jim!
I solved it know using your help and freehand-tool (it is Freihandtool in my german version). As my file has really a lot of shapes this might be the best solution. |
Tags |
container group line |
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