Learn about the possibilities for using Visio to create mechanical drawings and configuration tools. In this demonstration built-in Visio features are combined with custom shape development and VB programming to create a useful system.
You are clearly on a more advanced level than many of us. I cant find standard PVC fitting stencils for Visio. Dont you maybe want to create PVC fitting stencils for us rookies?
How did you add the action element to the Multi-Value shape that let you move between options in the shapedata list? I've been attempting to do this myself using the actions section in the shapesheet window but have not had any luck.
Phillip Stevens Hi PS, It's not hard, but it IS hard to find an article on how to do this. You do, indeed add an Actions row or two to the ShapeSheet to get it tow work. Here's how I usually do it. My method is overly parametrized, but it makes future changes easier, in that you just have to change bits of data in the Shape Data row, but not in the right-click Actions ShapeSheet cells. We'll create a shape data value called ShapeType (Prop.Type) which can hold three possible values, then add three actions to get them to work. Note that “//” denotes a comment, and is not to be written into the ShapeSheet: Prop.ShapeType.Label = "Shape Type" Prop.ShapeType.Type = 1 //...this type is a fixed list Prop.ShapeType.Format = "Circle;Square;Triangle" Prop.ShapeType.Value = INDEX(0,ShapeType.Type.Format) //...item 0 in the list is Circle Add this helpful user cell that holds the index of the chosen value in the Shape Data row: User.Index_ShapeType = LOOKUP(Prop.ShapeType, Prop.ShapeType.Format) Here are three cells in the first action row that will set the shape to be “Circle”: // Display item 0 from the shape data list as the menu item text: Actions.Circle.Menu = INDEX(0,Prop.ShapeType) //…blast the menu as the value for the Prop.ShapeType Actions.Circle.Action = SETF(GETREF(Prop.ShapeType),Actions.Circle.Menu) // Show a check mark if item 0 is chosen. Expression in // parentheses is logical; it is either true or false: Actions.Circle.Checked = (User.Index_ShapeType = 0) // Two more action rows with similar formulas but different indices // will let you set Square and Triangle: Actions.Square.Menu = INDEX(1,Prop.ShapeType) Actions.Square.Action = SETF(GETREF(Prop.ShapeType),Actions.Square.Menu) Actions.Square.Checked = (User.Index_ShapeType = 1) Actions.Triangle.Menu = INDEX(2,Prop.ShapeType) Actions.Triangle.Action = SETF(GETREF(Prop.ShapeType),Actions.Triangle.Menu) Actions.Triangle.Checked = (User.Index_ShapeType = 2)
Chris Roth Thanks! I actually found a solution before you posted. I found a shape for download with a similar principle and copied that formatting. I was trying to to SetF(getref(prop.name),"namehere") but it would not work unless "namehere" was number. The solution I found was to do SetF("prop.name",Actions.Row_2) which sets the name field equal to the name of the action in row 2. I'm now working on a slightly different problem if you think you might be able to help. I know how to show shape data on a shape (via Insert>Field) but I want to create a two-way link such that I can edit the shape data from the shape data window and from a text field on the shape itself. Do you know how to do that?
@Graphic Systems In Visio 2007, there are AutoRecover options under Tools > Options > Save/Open tab. You can set the time interval there. Sounds like your drawing is really big, maybe it needs some cleaning up. Could be lots of unused shapes in the Document Stencil. Go to File > Shapes > Show Document Stencil. This shows masters that have been dragged into the document. You can try deleting them and if you don't get a "this master is being used in this document" warning, then you'll have deleted an unused master and reduced your file size. Otherwise, just cancel the delete operation when the pop-up appears.
