Visio 2000 - Creating Stencils...

[clnun]

This is a bit long, so please bear with me...

Take as an example, a stencil object of a pre-made network patch panel. If you drag and drop this stencil onto the page, it acts as if it is one simple, single object: it draws/moves/duplicates pretty much instantly.

Now, let's say that I ungroup that stencil object and separate it from the "master stencil". It will subdivide itself into the many smaller objects that actually make up the whole (sometimes into hundreds or even thousands of separate objects).

If I want to make a change to the object, (let's say remove a small group of lettering from the original) then regroup it back together, it takes much longer to draw/move/duplicate. I understand this because there are so many objects there.

Now, if I were to take this changed object and create a "master stencil" object from it, then drag and drop that new stencil, it still acts as if it's just a group of hundreds of objects and draws/moves/duplicated slowly.

Now the question: I want my new object to act like a simple, single object like those that were pre-made. What am I doing incorrectly?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Chris

 

[Guest_imported]

You must use ShapeSheet to make changes to the objects.
1. Set Group Behavior.Selection = Group First (Select oject, then go Format > Behavior).
Now you can select individual segments of the group.
2. Select one segment that you want to change and open it's ShapeSheet (Window > Show ShapeSheet).
3. On the ShapeSheet find Geometry sections(might be more than one). As you click on the cells of that section while observing selected shape you will notice black square handle
jumping around the drawing. Now you can locate MoveTo and LineTo/ArcTo cells corresponding to the segments of your shape.
4. Make desired changes to the numbers or formulas.
5. Set Group Behavior.Selection = Group Only.

 

[clnun]

That works great! Thanks for the help.

Cheers,
Chris