Working with connectors
Connectors are lines that can be anchored to particular places, called glue points, on the graphic object. The advantage of connectors is that when the graphic object to which the connector is attached is moved or resized, the connector automatically adjusts to the change. When creating a flowchart, organization chart, schematics or diagrams, it is highly recommended to use connectors instead of simple lines.
Impress offers a wide variety of predefined connectors, which differ in the termination shape (none, arrow, custom) and in the way the connector is drawn (straight, line, curved). See Connectors options on the
Drawing toolbar.
Unlike normal lines, when a connector is drawn or selected Impress displays red handles; in particular, the termination points are identified by red circles, while square handles are used to modify the routing of a connector (where applicable).
Draw a connector in a similar way to drawing any object. First select the connector style from the Connector toolbar, then move the mouse cursor over one of the objects to be connected. When the cursor is brought near an object, small black crosses appear around the object; these represent the glue points to which the connector can be attached. Click on the required glue point to attach one end of the connector, then hold the mouse button down and drag the connector to the second object and click on a glue point on that object to connect the other end.
For instructions on how to format a connector, refer to the corresponding section in
Chapter 6 (Formatting Graphic Objects).