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Removing Kinks from a Flow

Sometimes connectors between elements require rerouting. This can occur when you rearrange elements in a display or when you import a model. The following methods describe how you can control connection routing. For best results, experiment and combine two or more of the methods.

Choose Options in the Modeler Preferences Window​

To choose a Modeler Preferences option:

  1. Select Tools > Modeler Preferences, to open the Modeler Preferences window.

  2. Click on Connections tab.

  3. Enable the automatic avoidance feature for connectors as shown in the following figure.Figure 915: Connectors option

    The options ensures that any new connections you create will automatically avoid any elements already on the display.

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Reroute Connections​

To reroute connections:

  1. Select an individual connection.

  2. To rearrange all connectors, press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all.

    All the connections and elements are selected in the display as indicated by the blue X's shown in the following figure.Figure 916: All connections and elements selected

  3. On the Formatting toolbar, click the Reroute button.

    Alternatively, you can select Edit > Reroute from the menu.

    The connector forms a new path and straightens the arrows as well, as shown in the following figure.Figure 917: New reroute path

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Adjust Grid Size​

The size of the grid affects the path that a connector takes.

To adjust the grid size:

  1. Select Arrange > Grid Size from the menu.

    The Grid Size window opens.Figure 918: Grid Size window

  2. Click on the Lines per Screen Unit up or down arrow to adjust the grid size.

    You can choose a value between 1 and 30 for the lines per screen unit. Larger values for the grid tend to improve the appearance of the connectors. We suggests that you experiment with values between 15 and 20 for the best results.

  3. Click OK to save your selection and close the Grid Size window.

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Move Connectors Manually​

When you click a connector line and drag it to a new location in the display, it maintains its connections as you move it. However, it no longer reroutes automatically.

To re-enable automatic rerouting:

  1. Select the connector.

  2. On the Formatting toolbar, click the Edit Connectors button.

    The Edit Connectors window opens.

  3. Check the Auto Avoid checkbox.

  4. Click OK to save your selection and close the Edit Connectors window.

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