straight connector grayed out

[millerpa]

I have been using visio for about 5 years now. I just did a new install of
2003 on a desktop and I cannot seem to use the straight connector. The icon
is grayed out in the tool bar and none of the settings appear to enable it. I
have never been able to get the right angle connector to route in a
presentable manner, so this is keeping me from using the application. Any
help out there?

 

[Paul Herber]

I have been using visio for about 5 years now. I just did a new install of
2003 on a desktop and I cannot seem to use the straight connector. The icon
is grayed out in the tool bar and none of the settings appear to enable it. I
have never been able to get the right angle connector to route in a
presentable manner, so this is keeping me from using the application. Any
help out there?

It took me a while to work out what i think has happened as there
isn't normally a Straight Connector icon. I think you have got the
Straight Connector formatting icon. What this does is to format a
pre-existing connector as Straight and will only be enabled when a
connector shape has been selected.

The icon has probably been placed there from the command bar
customizing dialog at menu Options -> Customize. The icon can be
removed by opening this dialog and dragging the icon into the dialog
box where it will show a x.

 

[millerpa]

Thanks, Paul. Yes, I added this icon as I assumed that it was the same button
I used in previous versions to do a 'manual' route. Maybe this is not the
case. Do you know how I prevent the application from trying to route the
connection for me?

 

[Paul Herber]

menu File -> Page Setup -> Layout and Routing
for controlling the whole page and for individual (or many) connectors
select the connector(s) and menu Format -> Behavior

 

[millerpa]

Thanks again, Paul. I have already tried just about all the configurations
possible and the routing is still eratic at best. I think there is just too
much 'smarts' in the app now and it has just made it much more difficult to
use.

No further questions to waste your time. Thanks again. I appreciated the help.