In a recent post we discussed some of the techniques for using 1D shapes. We received an excellent question from a visitor who asked:“I’ve played with the techniques mentioned. However, I can’t seem to find the way to insert an image onto the line as suggested in the article. Can you please elaborate?”
Now enter a height of .175” into the Size & Position box. This represents 1RU (Rack Unit) at 1/10 scale.
Enter height of .175"
Select the shape and Group it using the Shape menu. This places a group around the line and the group defaults to 2D behavior.
Grouped shape
Convert it to 1d using the menu Format > Behavior and check Line 1D for the Interaction style.
Select 1D in the Behavior box
You now have a line contained within a group that is 1D. However, the endpoints of the 1D shape are at the midpoints of the left and right sides. In fact, the grouped shape now looks exactly like the ungrouped 1D line shape with height. Let’s place more geometry into it. Select Edit > Open Group. You now have a place to draw that’s inside the group:
Open the Group to draw within it
We’ll add several simple boxes and delete the original line:
Add geometry to the group
When we close the Group window, we can see the image inside the group.
Grouped shape with image
The last step is to move the 1D endpoints down to the lower left and right corners of the shape so that the shape snaps properly onto a rack. To do this, open the ShapeSheet with the menu Window > Open ShapeSheet. Click on the LocPinY cell and enter “0” then close the ShapeSheet. The result is a 1D shape that will snap into a rack properly.
- Shape in a rack
At Visimation where we produced thousands of network equipment shapes, we have automation programs that perform similar steps, as well as many other behavioral modifications, on a device drawing. The result is a Visio equipment shape that eases the drawing process and looks great. Again, you can download free equipment shapes at our ShapeSource online store.
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