2 September 2010

Network Diagrams:Locking the Background Shape

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The Problem

In a previous post, I covered how to create a shape that would create a type of 3D effect. You can read that article on Drawing a Background Shapehere.

It’s also worth looking at why you want to do this in “On the Art of Network Diagrams and Presentation” and see the full diagram we are trying to put together.

The problem with large shape on your diagram is that it keeps “getting in the way”. As you add other shapes it seems that you are always selecting the wrong element.

Shape Protection – Simple Method

The easiest way to solve the problem is to “lock” the shape that is in the background. Right click on the object and Format, Protection:

net-diag-shape-lock-1.jpg

And you will have a list of options. I usually just select “All” and OK.

net-diag-shape-lock-2.jpg

Just select OK for this.

net-diag-shape-lock-3.jpg

And now when you select the object, the handles are grey (not green blocks) and you cannot move the shape.

net-diag-shape-lock-4.jpg

This should make it easier to “draw over the top” of the background shapes.

Wrap up

There are better ways to do this, but this is a fast and easily explained solution and will work for most people.

If you have any suggestions or tips, don’t hesitate to send them in. I always have something to learn. Go to my contact page and send me some stuff.

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About Greg Ferro
Greg is a Network and Security Architect / Designer / Engineer working freelance in the UK and worked for Resellers, DotCom's, Large Corporate's and Service Providers across a variety of products & Vendors. He prefers to work for end users, believes in the life cycle, total cost of ownership and that near enough is often good enough. He likes talking about himself in the first person to feel "royal", even when hosting the Packet Pushers Podcast on Data Networking. More about Greg at http://etherealmind.com/who-am-i/ and you can follow him on Twitter.

Comments

  1. There could be more useful background elements on the page, like border, header, etc. All these shouldn’t get in the way. I prefer to put them in a separate layer and then lock it (View/Layer Properties). To prevent objects in this layer from interfering with the rest of the drawing, disable snap and glue in the same screen, too.

  2. Raj says:

    Yes, I too prefer to use Layer to lock it. Protection seems to be very specific and not easy to undo.

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