Tips on Managing Relationship Lines in Workspace - Part I
Hello,
Today I’d like to start a series of tips and tricks relating to relationship lines and break points.
A situation is always given and then possible solution is suggested.
I’m sure, you already know some of the options and techniques presented here. However, I believe you will find something new and interesting.
Let’s begin with a topic:
STRAIGHT LINES AND RIGHT ANGLED LINES
Situation A:
I want to set Right Angled mode as default for a new model and all its Workspaces.
1. Select Settings | Options | Physical/Logical Model | select the Right Angled Lines checkbox.
2. Now create the model. All relationships you will create in WS will be right-angled.
Situation B:
I want to change Straight mode to Right Angled in all Workspaces in my existing model.
Change at one jump is not possible.
1. Already existing Workspaces in the model: You need to edit each of them. Right-click the Workspace | Workspace Format | General tab | select the Right Angled Lines checkbox.
Note: The existing lines will not change. If you like to change them, right-click the WS and select Change Lines to Right Angled. OR Select the line you like to change, right-click and select Change Line to Right Angled.
The model in Straight mode:
The WS option Change Lines to Right Angled has been selected:
2. New workspaces: For new WS, you can set it up in the Settings menu | Options | Physical/Logical Model | select the Right Angled Lines checkbox.
Situation C:
I work in Straight mode and created several right angled lines. I need to straight them.
Right-click the Workspace and select Straight All Lines. OR Right-click the selected relationship(s) and select Straight Line.
Situation D:
I work in Right Angled mode and would like to create a straight line or change right-angled line to straight.
It is not possible. In Right Angled mode, the options Straight All Lines and Straight Line are disabled. You can only turn off the Right Angled mode, create the straight relationship and turn on the Right Angled mode again.
Note: The straight line will remain unchanged after you turn on the Right Angled mode again. However as soon as you create a new relationship to any of its related entities, the straight line will change to right-angled. This is not a required behavior and we will fix it in the future.
Situation E:
I need to redraw the relationship line to be more clear and simple. (Possible reasons: I made the line too complicated (many break points etc.) OR I deleted/removed some entities from the Workspace etc.)
Right-click the relationship line and select Simplify Line. -> Number of break points of the line will be set to minimum. Entities will be connected in the shortest possible way.
Note: Straight lines will change to right-angled.
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Next time we will create relationship lines - in various ways, in both modes - and will solve possible problems (e.g. crossing a table etc.).
Regards,
Vladka