Re: [Fwd: Re: Problem with Dia Website]

[Ricardo Larrañaga <rrl adinet com uy>]

Michael Ross wrote:
> Ricardo,
>
> I hope someone else will try to help you becasue I too have trouble 
> making new shapes.  I actually quit doing this and instead I make 
> groups of diagram entities.  I have diagrams that contain related 
> groups that I can copy and reuse.  I believe this method will work for 
> you also.  Instead of using the shape palettes I call up a diagram 
> with groups that are useful for copying.  Then I copy and paste them 
> from one diagram to another.
>
> I do not think shapes are really intended for detailed representations 
> of parts, but more they are primitives used to create more complicated 
> groups of parts.  Or to make schematic elements, for example flow 
> diagram blocks, and so on.
>
> It has been years since I tried to make shapes and there was no 
> documentation at the time.  I do not know if there is any 
> documentation now as I have not looked recently.
>
> I understand that when diagram is converted to a shape it takes the 
> size of 2cm square. 
>
> I think this is how it works: However large you may make it, it is 
> scaled to fit into a 2 cm square.  Say that you make a diagram that is 
> 4 inches square and another on the is 12 inches square.  When made 
> into shapes the 12 inch square one will be reduce three times as much 
> as the 4 inch square one to fit into a 2cm square size.  So it now 
> appears to have a smaller scale whe both are used in a subsequent 
> diagram.  A major caveat is that I have not tried to do this myself 
> since I learned it.  Some people have made large groups of shapes but 
> i has not been discussed in any detail on this list.
>
> If I am correct you will need to work within a the same exact square 
> area when making a diagram that you will convert to a shape.  If you 
> make all your shapes within the same square you will not be surprised 
> by their scale later.
>
> When I was experimenting with shape creation I investigated the text 
> format and syntax of pre-existing shape files.  You should probably do 
> that also.  It is useful to become familiar with how they work at that 
> level. 
>
> I never had much luck understanding the placement of connection points 
> and text within a shape.  Perhaps it is easier now.
>
> I know some people have been successful with shape creation so it is 
> probably worth some time and effort.  I on the other hand have change 
> what I want to do to fit the basic functions of Dia as it comes "out 
> of the box."  The only shapes I use are some basic electrical and 
> circuit shapes.  I don't try to make shapes anymore.  It would be nice 
> if an expert at this would write down the method for a simple shape 
> creation.  I tried to work it out, but I failed to gain enough 
> understanding to write a cogent set of instructions.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
>     Yes, Mike, my question is about the program.
>
>     I have created many shapes and a sheet to save them for my diagrams.
>     When i created the shapes y was very careful with the size of each
>     chape, because they represent real things (connectors), and i
>     wanted to
>     be able to create a 1:1 scale diagram. The problem is that when i
>     drag a
>     shape created by me from my library sheet into a new diagram, i
>     get the
>     shape with another size that isnt the one i created it with. Can
>     someone
>     help me find out how can i drag a shape created by me from the
>     sheet and
>     get the real size of the shape in the new diagram. Does it have
>     something to do with diagram scales?.
>     Thanks
>     Ricardo
>
>
>
> --
> Michael Ross
> =================================
> Cycling in Central North Carolina
> Schwinn Voyageur 11.8
> Linear LWB, Greenspeed GTO, BikeE CT, AT
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dia-list mailing list
> Dia-list gnome org
> http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/dia-list
> FAQ at http://live.gnome.org/Dia/Faq
> Main page at http://live.gnome.org/Dia
>
>   
Yes, that is what i have been doing (i saved the .dia version of the 
shape when i make it), but it is more convenient to have the shapes.
Thanks For your help.
Ricardo