Smart Layouts

Smart Layouts give the ability to throw thoughts into a modelling tool quickly without having to spend time laying them out. However that approach is likely to look messy, so an ‘auto-layout function’ has been attempted to transform those views into something so they are more comprehendible.

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There are 3 new layout styles in the Layout Ribbon: Hierarchical, Circular and Stretch.​

Features:​

• Nodes, lines and line labels are moved to make the diagram look nice.​
• Crossing lines are reduced.​
• The layouts attempt to maintain aspect ratio of the diagram (but can place nodes outside it).​
• You can Undo the layout if you don’t like it.​
• You can flip the layout horizontally or vertically (most applicable to hierarchical layouts)​
• The Stretch layout keeps your existing layout but allows you to resize it, keeping line bends and labels in the same relative positions.

Caveats:​

• Locked symbols are not included in the layout.​
• Flipped symbols are not included in the layout.​
• Grouped symbols are included in the layout but symbols selected inside the group are not.​
• Lines which have a Symbol Style applied cannot change their line shape to be a straight line.​
• Symbols which aren't selected, or are on the Model Master are not considered as part of the layout.​
• The layouts are not incremental (the current position of symbols isn't taken in to account in the layout).​
• The layouts don't take different line types in to account. (e.g. Parent / Relationship lines are considered to be the same).​

Example: Parental Hierarchy, Stretched and Flipped​

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Example: Parental Circular, Stretched​

Example: ArchiMate View using ‘Hierarchical’ Smart Layout

Delete All Bends​

The Layout Ribbon has an option to Delete All Bends. This works with multi-select and allows you to remove bends which were added by layout, should it produce too many.​

Delete All Bends will not affect symbols which have a Symbol Style applied and a hierarchical line shape.​

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Line Shape Ribbon menu added​

This option was formerly only available on the bend context menu but is now available ​

on the Ribbon (and hence works with multi-select).