Using Auto Layout for diagrams
With auto layout, Modeler automatically rearranges items in a diagram in certain preconfigured layouts. Auto layout provides the ability to rearrange the selected items in a more structured format on the canvas.
Auto layout initially requires you to select a root item that will be the start of the diagram tree, and then it rearranges all the items connected to the root item recursively based on the selected options. The layout follows a single direction only even if there are multiple links between the same pair of items.
You must also note that while rearranging the diagram, when an item that is found higher up in the diagram tree is also referenced in the lower part of the tree, then the layout of that item and its connected links will not progress further.
To use auto layout, select the root item of the diagram, and on the Format tab, click Perform Auto Layout. A dialog box appears displaying the following options:
• Layout Style: You can select your layout style. The available styles are:
◦ Center Aligned Tree Layout: An option to rearrange the selected item with the connected links and items aligned in the center in a tree layout. The items can be rearranged centered horizontal or centered vertical on the canvas.
◦ Edge Aligned Tree Layout: An option to rearrange the selected item with the connected links and items aligned to the edge of the canvas in a tree layout. The items can be rearranged centered horizontal or centered vertical on the canvas.
• Orientation: Select Vertical or Horizontal orientation of the selected layout.
• Horizontal Gap: The horizontal distance between the items in the resulting layout. If you have selected Edge Aligned Tree Layout and the orientation as Vertical, then this option is disabled.
• Vertical Gap: The vertical distance between the items in the resulting layout. If you have selected Edge Aligned Tree Layout and the orientation as Horizontal, then this option is disabled.
• Include Notes: Select this check box if you want to include Notes (if any) in the resulting layout.
• Unhanded Items: You can select what you want to do with the items that are not affected in the resulting layout.
◦ Do Nothing: Does nothing on the unaffected items.
◦ Delete From Diagram: Deleted the unaffected items from the diagram.
◦ Move to Bottom: Moves the unaffected items to the bottom of the canvas.
◦ Move to Bottom and Delete Links: Moves the unaffected items to the bottom of the canvas and deletes the links from the diagram.
◦ Move to Side: Moves the unaffected items to the (right)side.
◦ Move to Side the Delete Links: Moves the unaffected items to the (right) side of the canvas and deletes the links from the diagram.
• Link Types: You can select the types of links that you want to included in the resulting layout. Click Select All or Deselect All to select all links or to clear all selected links.