Automated filled arc generation..

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

Trying to create "gauge" faces for a work project and am having a bit
of trouble with arcs of less than 90 degrees..

Basically, I create the "face" of the guage with a circle and then
"Array" hash marks around the center point of the circle. I need to
indicate up to 3 different colored ranges within these hash marks and
I can do the arcs to whatever angle I need, but arcs over 90 degrees
take a lot of time to "tweak" to make look right.

How would I automated the arc creation? Ideally I'd like to be
prompted like so:

Start angle position; (Where to start the beginning of the arc)
End Angle Position: (Where to end the arc)
Outer radius from center (the "outer" line of the arc)
Inner radius from center (The "inner" line of the arc)
fill color

Of course I'd need to be able to make this a completed shape so I can
fill it..

Automated solution(s) would be nice, but some tips on an easier manual
method would be appreciated as well.

Thanks

 

[junethesecond]

I cannot realize the complete image what you mean, so I would like to limit
the topic to the arc.
You may be using the arc tool in toolbar sets, but one recommendation is
the arc shape that may be found if you search at the shape window with
keywords "arc", and that is a shape having center point, radius and arc
length by angle, and much stable.
I think it would be better, if you could make new shape by applying this
arc shape, new shape has outer dia and inner dia and fill color.

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

Since you are dealing with different colours, you will need to deal with at
least three different shapes. So the best way to tackle this is as a group
shape. The main shape can represent the background and gauge markings and a
seperate shape for each coloured wedge. As a group shape the coordinates of
the wedges can reference information from the main shape. You can use
control handles or custom properties in the main shape to set the angle of
the pie slices.

You may want to look at some of the pie chart shapes in the marketing
stencils for hints on how to do it.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://www.mvps.org/visio/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://www.mvps.org/visio/VBA.htm
Common Visio Questions http://www.mvps.org/visio/common_questions.htm

 

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

Since you are dealing with different colours, you will need to deal with at
least three different shapes. So the best way to tackle this is as a group
shape. The main shape can represent the background and gauge markings and a
seperate shape for each coloured wedge. As a group shape the coordinates of
the wedges can reference information from the main shape. You can use
control handles or custom properties in the main shape to set the angle of
the pie slices.

You may want to look at some of the pie chart shapes in the marketing
stencils for hints on how to do it.

Well, I'm not exactly using pie slices.. More like the crust.
I've been able to create the arcs by hand using the arc tool and then
setting the pin position to get them to "rotate" to where I need
them..

Ideally I'd like to be able to set and inner and outer radius and
specify the arc "range" if you will. (i.e from 35 to 87 degrees
etc..) An automated solution is the goal, but the solution I'm
employing right now works..

I'll have a gander at the stencils in the morning..

Thanks!

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

In that case, take a look at "Special Pie Slice" in the "Charting Shapes"
stencil.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://www.mvps.org/visio/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://www.mvps.org/visio/VBA.htm
Common Visio Questions http://www.mvps.org/visio/common_questions.htm

 

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

In that case, take a look at "Special Pie Slice" in the "Charting Shapes"
stencil.

Will do. Thx!

 

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

Will do. Thx!

Came up with a kludgy but effective solution today.. Found a bit of
code I was able to modify that would array shapes around a point and
using a simple line with squared ends and a heavy line weight, I'm
able to create arcs of up to 180 degrees and then just "trim" off the
segments I don't need. Works good, takes a little effort to get set
up initially, but it's a start.

Gonna go check out the Special Pie Slice right now...

 

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

Will do. Thx!

Oh that's perfect.. Almost. Any way to "thin" the filled section in?
Or "reverse engineer" the whys and hows of how to make a shape like
that??

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

Play with value of Scratch.B2. Change it to something like =9/10

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://www.mvps.org/visio/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://www.mvps.org/visio/VBA.htm
Common Visio Questions http://www.mvps.org/visio/common_questions.htm