Custom connection sites on a Shape object with text

[olindude]

Hi,
I'm trying to generate a Shape object with custom connection sites (which can attach to a Connector object). I want to be able to place as many connection sites as I please, and place them where I want them. In addition, I need to be able to add text to the Shape. I've tried using the FreeFormBuilder, which will place connection sites at the vertices of the FreeForm object I define, but the FreeForm object apparently doesn't contain a TextFrame property. If I could get a rectangle with text and twelve (instead of four) evenly spaced connection sites, that would be enough for now.
Can anyone do this?
Thanks
- olindude

 

[Lalbatros]

What I do very often: grouping several objects including a text box. Unfortunaly you need to ungroup for typing in the textbox. In the group you can include invisible objects (no colors) just for the purpose of having anchor points. You can include a very small circle, then you have a special anchor point on with the connector direction can be choosen.

 

[olindude]

Thanks. That's what I've done: I have several invisible objects placed together with each visible object, giving me the connection sites I want, but causing other problems. If I need to edit the text, I have to ungroup and then regroup the objects. Or, I can leave them ungrouped, and hope I don't miss any when I move them. This is workable for me (though not ideal), but I want other people not as familiar with these issues to be able to update the shapes in the worksheet, and a custom object would do the trick.
-olindude

 

[IRstuff]

Have you tried posting this question on Tek-Tips?

TTFN

 

[Lalbatros]

Still possible:

- do as I mentioned before,
- link the content of the textbox to the content of a cell
(by typing =B23 for example in the formula bar)

drawback: not that nice, but works

One step further: remove the textox and work in a cell
decoration can give the same look finally

 

[TomSD]

Sounds like you are using standard object shapes which I believe have eight if circular and usually four connection points if rectilinear.
On the Drawing Toolbar click -> Autoshapes -> Lines -> Freeform and create a custom shape with as many vertices (points) as you want for connection sites; the points (vertices) can be edited (moved) or added/deleted. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to add text to a custom object created this way yet but this should reduce the number of grouped objects.
Cheers

 

[TomSD]

I should have read your first post a little better to see that you have already done the freeform. oops