Moving a shape without minimum pointer movement

[Paul]

In Visio 2003, when I drag a shape, the pointer has to move some
significant distance before the shape starts to move. Makes it hard
to move things just a smidgeon. All snapping is turned off. How can
avoid this minimum threshold displacement of the pointer before the
object that is being dragged starts to follow? Thanks.

 

[John Goldsmith]

Hello Paul,

Have you got your 'Snap & Glue' toolbar turned on (right click on your
toolbars and check that it's enabled)? This makes it easier to see which
'Snap' are active (ie ruler, grid etc.).

You can also move selected shapes with the arrow keys and if you hold the
Shift key down at the same time you get even finer control. The zoom level
also has an effect with finer control the greater the zoom
(Ctrl+Shift+Left-click to zoom in and Ctrl+Shift+Right-click to zoom out).

Let me know if that helps.

Best regards

John


John Goldsmith
www.visualSignals.typepad.co.uk
www.visualSignals.co.uk

 

[WapperDude]

Hi John --
Didn't know about the shift key AND the move arrows. How about the shift
key and angular rotation to get finer degrees of rotation?

Wapperdude

 

[Paul]

Don't have access right now, but the features sound cool. I'll have
to try them out. Thanks!

 

[David Parker]

You can get finer degrees of rotation due to the distance away from the
point of rotation ... check the status bar to see that the angle jumps get
finer as you move the mouse further away from the point of rotation...

 

[WapperDude]

Cool. Never would have thought to try that!
Thanks.
Wapperdude

 

[Paul]

Yes, it's turned on. The problem isn't the fine-ness of control, but
rather that the pointer has to move some minimal distance before the
object even starts to move. Thereafter, the object tracks the
pointer.

 

[WapperDude]

Hi Paul --
I don't know that there is a setting to change the initial "grab" delay
"feature" associated with mouse dragging. Perhaps someone from Visio can
weigh in on that. But, I believe it's been present in all of the recent
releases of Visio. John's point was by using either (or both) 1.) the arrows
and the shift key, you can move very tiny amounts and not overshoot your
desired position (plus, I don't think there is a delay), or 2.) zoom in a
large amount and then re-position since the precision will be much greater.
Another option is to bring up the Size and Position window (located under
toolbar > View), and enter literal coordinates for the object's position.

Hope this helps.
Wapperdude

 

[Paul]

Yes, and his information will be helpful. Thanks.