What is the correct way to modify an existing shape

[rlhawk]

I have a shape that i want to copy and modify to create a new shape. When i edit the master shape for the copy and make a few changes i save the modified copy. When i copy it to the screen i can select different sections of the new shape - i.e. i can select the original shape and also the changes that i made.
Even when i group the shape of the copy and my changes when i copy this new master to the drawing i can still select different sections of the shape.
Should i group the shape and the changes ?
Do i make changes to the shape behavior or do i use the
ShapeSheet to protect the new shape? What parameters would i change.
Sorry for asking help on what is probably a very simple question with a easy solution....New to visio

 

[VisioMVP]

When you create a group shape, you can set the selection behaviour by selecting behaviour from the Format menu. On the lower right of the first tab is a drop down for "Selection".

The Selection drop down lets you decide if you want to select the group, or a member first. There is also an option to only select the group.

Set the Selection dropdown to Group Only.

John... Visio MVP - Visio.MVPs.org

 

[rlhawk]

John,
thanks for the help..i know they are pretty basic questions for someone who has worked with Visio.

I have another question... I have a shape that i want to copy and modify and i want it to keep the same information that is in the ShapeSheet of the original shape. After i modify the shape i join them and then save the shape. When i copy the modified shape to a drawing it does not have the same data as the original - ie - user defined fields. Sometimes when i modify a shape and save the new shape keeps the data in the ShapeSheet. Should i do a 'join' after i modify a shape?

 

[VisioMVP]

Most of the operations will destroy a shape's custom properties, so it is best to do this first or within the group.

To modify a Group shape, either use Open Group (last item of the Edit menu) or select the group and the new shape and use Add to group. Since shapes in a group may not necessarily have custom properties, you can do the Join within the Open Group window.

John... Visio MVP - Visio.MVPs.org