Manipulating associations

Straightening associations


Use the Straighten associations command to remove unnecessary angles or curves from associations.

The Straighten command lets you straighten the line of an association in order to eliminate unnecessary angles or curves. Also, when the association line makes the reading of a model difficult because of too many bend points, you can straighten it and then add new bend points to fit your particular needs.

To straighten an association:
  1. Select the association to be straightened.
  2. Select Display > Straighten.
  3. Click an empty area in the diagram window to change the selection.
Or, you can do the following:
  1. Select the association to be straightened.
  2. Right-click it and from the pop-up menu choose Straighten.
  3. Click an empty area in the diagram window to change the selection.
If all the associations need to be straighted, first choose Edit > Select > Select all associations.


Reshaping associations

It may sometimes be necessary to reshape associations to avoid crossing through a graphical object, or to differentiate two associations linking the same two objects or an entity linked to itself. In such cases, the association must be modified into several segments.

You can reshape a association by selecting and dragging it until it has the shape you desire.

To create a association with several segments:
  1. Click the source object (table) with one of the association tools selected.
  2. Move the mouse and click for each bend point of the association.
  3. Click the target object.

Modifying right-angled or segmented association lines

If the shape of a right-angled or segmented association is not satisfactory, it can be easily modified with the pointer tool. In order to modify right-angled or segmented association lines, click anywhere on the line and drag it while holding down the mouse button: the line will follow the movement of the mouse.

By clicking on a segment of the association and dragging it, you create an anchor and a new segment. If you click and drag an existing anchor, the angle between the two segments will be modified.