Re: Feature proposal: custom connection point method

[Hans Breuer <hans breuer org>]

At 02.10.2011 05:30, Michael Ross wrote:
> Salutations,
>
> I had a discussion with Cedar about a new feature. Cedar asked me to try to
> describe it to the forum.
>
> It is a recurring theme of sorts where people want shapes to have
> connections points (CP) that were not placed in the shapes by the author.
Before jumping to the solution space, I think it is important to undestand 
the problem, which frankly I do not.
At the moment I can't remember any case, where I wanted to add arbitrary 
connections points. At least not after the addition of the "whole object 
connection point", aka. mainpoint. [1]

So please describe the use case where additional connection points are 
deemed to be necessary. Maybe even with a sample diagram illustrating the 
problem.

> It would be nice to have a way to add connection points to any shape.  I
> think of this as an on the fly option - you do it on a whim.

From the implementation point of view I would be also interested in the 
requested subset of DiaObjects to have dynamic conection points. (If that 
subset would include "UML - Class" I see exploding complexity, because UML 
- Class already has dynamic connection points by attributes and methods lists.)

> I imagine calling up the Properties, the pick the new Custom Connection
> Point (CCP) [...] just trying to sell the idea.
If I would design the custom connection point feature it most certainly 
would be started from the context menu, similar to Polygon's "Add Corner".
Given the right subset of DiaObjects it should not be too difficult to add 
this feature, I think. I can give more detailed pointers to someone 
interested in giving it a try, but dont plan to do this myself.

> I have a laborious work around that I came up with.  I create a polygon and
> arrange the points and valleys where I want connections, then I turn the
> polygon line color to the background color.  All that remains visible then
> is the CPs.  This polygon can be grouped with any shape to provide
> additional CP locations.  Or I can develop the polygon over top of the shape
> I am enhancing.
What shapes need such treatments. If these are specific ones maybe extra 
connection points should be added at the source for the benefit of all?

> This is better than my previous overuse of the annoying CP in the Electric
> sheet.
I thought this wo be a work-around of connecting two lines, which seems to 
be a completely sparated problem?

Regards,
        Hans

-------- Hans "at" Breuer "dot" Org -----------
Tell me what you need, and I'll tell you how to
get along without it.                -- Dilbert