Making the dynamic connector line style appear as double lines.

[SWL Developer]

I am creating a connection shape on my stencil which behaves like the dynamic
connector. However, I would like the line to appear as double lines. =====

I have two concepts in mind:

1. Use the dynamic a connector with color=blk, weight=.25 first. Then
create a second dynamic connector with color=wht, weight=.2 on top. But as
soon as I put it into my stencil, it becomes a 2-d shape and doesn't behave
like a dynamic connector anymore.

2. Programmatically create extra geometry offset from the orginal line.
And have this update anytime the connection changes.

Is there an easier/better way to do this? If not, how do I write the code
for my second concept?

 

[Chris Roth [ Visio MVP ]]

Create a double-line custom pattern and apply it to the connector.

Check it:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d..._Managing_Styles,_Formats,_and_Colors_431.asp


--

Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP

 

[Chris Roth [ Visio MVP ]]

Not sure what to do. Are you encountering such "finely bent" connectors very
often?


Tip: (I think you've probably done this already)
Did you choose the "stretchy-mode" for your pattern? It's the third green
icon over when you right-click and choose Properties for the pattern...

--

Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP

 

[Mark Henning]

Chris,

I am having a similar problem. I need not only a double line pattern but a
tripple as well. I made the custom line patterns, and made them "stretchy"
type. The application of these connectors is to use center-to-center object
connecting, and for the most part this is working well.

The problem I am having is, especially in the case of the tripple line, the
center of the pattern (middle line in this case) is perpendicular to the
tangent of the oval at point of incidence (as one would hope). however, the
other two lines are not extended or truncated to intersect with the oval.
This leaves a gap on one side of the central line, and if the oval is not
higher in z-order, an over-stroke on the other side.

One possible fix I can see is to alter the oval nodes so that they have a
connection point physically near the center, and connect the connectors to
that point, not to the shape itself... Then put the oval nodes on top as a
group, thus clipping the connectors with the ovals themselves. This makes
for a lot of extra work making sure the connnectors are connected where you
think they are, and making sure the nodes are on top.

Is there another solution that is less obvoius, that would allow me to do a
little work up-front but have subsequent drawings behave as I wish them to
(1, 2 or 3 lines, each intersecting the outline of the object, regardless of
shape, and terminating in that intersection)?

-Mark Henning