EazyDraw Connector Tool Connector Cursor EazyDraw Raw App For Help

The connector cursor is used for drawing connectors. Connectors are lines (or paths, lines with multiple segments) whose ends may be attached to other graphics. If the target graphic is moved or resized, the attached end of the connector moves too. Connectors are useful in flow charts or schematics.

The connector cursor becomes active after selecting a connector tool (shown below). These tools are found on the Technical tool palette. All of the Dimensioning tools are connectors and follow the behavior rules described here.

To draw a connector move the cursor over the desired attach position of a graphic. Then start a drag operation with a mouse click and hold. If there is a graphic with a target point in range, the connector will attach the first end to the graphic. If not the connector’s point will be positioned at mouse location. The connector line is drawn by dragging the mouse, the line is shown as the mouse is moved. When the mouse position is within range of a target point the free end of the connector will snap to the attach point.

You can pull the connector away from the attach point by moving the cursor a distance away from the snap point. Lifting the mouse completes the procedure and creates the new connector graphic.

Typing "Tab" (or "Enter" for left handed users) during the drag operation will add a vertex to the connector path. This is used if the connector needs to be a sequence of line segments rather than a simple line.

There are parameters that control the behavior of the snap process. One parameter, the range, specifies how close the mouse must get for the connector to attach. Another parameter, resolution, specifies the number or spacing of different attach points a target graphic will offer. For example just end points, or end points and mid points. These parameters are found on the Connector Panel which is found on the "Tools" menu of the "Main Menu".

Don't be concerned if the connector doesn't attach as desired during the creation procedure. The connections may be established after the initial drawing step. Just select the connector and then drag the red handle to the desired connection spot. If the target resolution or range parameters need to be refined use the Connector Panel with the connector path selected to modify the conditions.