Can I add connection points to an imported image?

[David Anderson]

I have created a complex line diagram in Adobe Illustrator CS2 of all the
connections on the back of an AV amplifier. Is it possible to import this
image into the latest version of Visio? If so, is it then possible to add
connection points in Visio to the imported diagram?

David

 

[Chris Roth [MVP]]

You'll want to export your illustration in some sort of vector format.
Metafile or tiff or something.

Then you can import it into Visio and add connection points as you wish!

- You get the connection point tool, which is under the Connector toolbar
button (there's an arrow to drop-down - then click the 'x')
- Select a shape, then hold Ctrl while clicking to add connection points.

--
Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP

More Visio shapes, articles, development info and pure diagramming fun at:
www.wanderkind.com/visio

 

[David Anderson]

Hi Chris,
I have the latest version of Adobe Ilustrator, but my copy of Visio is much
older (i.e. Visio 2000). I had to export from Illustrator in a Version 8
compatible mode before Visio would accept it for import. However, I couldn't
find any way to make the connection point tool interact with the imported
diagram. Also, exporting from Illustrator CS2 in V8 mode messed up my text
fonts when viewed in Visio.

Are you saying that a more recent version of Visio will be able to add
connection points to an imported Illustrator diagram? If so, please clarify
exactly which versions of Visio will do this. BTW, there appears to be no
need to convert to another file type such as TIFF, as Visio accepts the
native Illustrator format (.ai files).

David

 

[David Anderson]

To clarify further, every time I try to add a connection point (to anything)
I get the message "Operation failed because connection points are disabled".
Is there some configuration setting I need to tweak?

 

[Chris Roth [MVP]]

Go to the View menu and check Connection Points. They're just turned off.

I don't know why Visio doesn't just ask; "Not visible, wanna see 'em?"

*sigh*

--
Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP

More Visio shapes, articles, development info and pure diagramming fun at:
www.wanderkind.com/visio

 

[David Anderson]

I guess it makes sense that you first have to make connection points visible
before Visio will let you add new ones, though (as you say) it would have
been a trivial change to make the warning message more informative. The
actual warning message of "Operation failed because connection points are
disabled" is total nonsense, as the existing connection points work perfectly
even when not made visible!

However, my basic problem still remains. Even when they are made visible,
there is no obvious way to make new connection points that attach to any part
of an imported image. They only seem to attach to shapes created within Visio
itself. Have I missed some other piece of wizardry in Visio 2000? Is the
situation any different in later versions of Visio?

David

 

[Michel LAPLANE]

Visio 2003 accept lot of image file format.
As soon as an imagefile has been imported through the insert menu, it behave
like a normal shape so the connection point work assuming that the
connection point are enabled in the display menu.
How do you import you indesign file in visio ?

 

[David Anderson]

Bonjour Michel,
Thanks for the information, which sounds encouraging and might persuade me
to upgrade to Visio 2003, or later. Are you using the Standard or
Professional version?

Visio 2000 is happy to insert some of the older flavours of native
Illustrator .ai files, along with many other graphic file formats. I'm using
Insert/Picture.. and then browsing for my Adobe Illustrator (not InDesign)
file. How certain are you that Illustrator files inserted into Visio 2003 can
have connection points added? Have you actually tried this? If not, would you
be prepared to try it if I were to email you a test file?

Best regards,
David

 

[Michel LAPLANE]

Give me one couple of day i will try and give you feedback

 

[David Anderson]

Merci beaucoup, Michel.
I have emailed you two versions of my Illustrator file. Check them out
whenever you have the time. There is no rush.

Regards,
David

 

[Michel LAPLANE]

Hi David,

Several remarks.

- Visio 2002 or earlier does not support Adobe Illustrator 10 and later
version format file. So you cannot import the file with the "Insert image"
command.
- The import Adobe Illustrator format has been dropped from Visio 2003.

Nevertheless, you can :

- Export from Adobe Illustrator to image format (jpg. bmp, ...)
Visio 2002 or 2003 can import image file ("Insert=>Image") so the
image will be available as a shape on wich you can add connection point.
(verify that the Display=>connection points is checked, choose the
connection point tool, select the shape, clik on the image with control key
pressed).
Use the connector tool.
- Export from Adobe Illustrator to structured format (DWG, DXF)
Visio 2002 or 2003 can import image file ("Insert=>CAO Drawing").
You got a shape on which you can right click to display the context menu
and have the opportunity to convert the image to Visio native shape.
You must notice that the graphic illustrator objects have been
transformed into mastershape (look the document stencil - well the icon are
not so representative but you have native mastershape).
Due to a bug the text must be moved to reflect its original
position.
(verify that the Display=>connection points is checked, choose the
connection point tool, select the wanted shape, click at the right point
with control key pressed).
Use the connector tool.
PS : I have created an addon DWG, DXF to Visio converter that works
better and that gives correct icon and correct text position.
- Export from Adobe Illustrator to vector format (EMF, WMF) or copy from
Illustrator and paste into Visio
Visio 2002 or 2003 can import image file ("Insert=>Image"). You got
a shape that you can ungroup (Form=>Group=>Unground). You will got
native Visio shape but no master shape. Due to a bug, the ungroup
process scattered the text out af the page (in the lower left) so the texts
are not usable and must be recreated.
(verify that the Display=>connection points is checked, choose the
connection point tool, select the wanted shape, click at the right point
with control key pressed).
Use the connector tool.

I send you some results obtained by the second method with Visio DWG
Converter and with My DWG Converter (WCADGraphics) for your first file by
mail.

You can use older version than Visio 2003, nevertheless, I suggest you to
migrate to Visio 2003 and if you want to be able to import DWG and DXF
migrate to Visio 2003 professional.