3.11 Using Containers to Control Objects
Container can help you group objects with more options and control over objects than the standard grouping feature.
There are three types of containers that can be used with the Layout view:
-
Simple Container: groups one or more objects in an outer container.
-
Stack Layout Container: layers multiple objects . Stack Layout Container are useful to create node styles that show a different graphic based on the element state.
For information about using stack containers to create a node style, see Section 9.6, Looking at the Source Code with a Toggling Graphic Node Style Example.
-
Children Container: shows one or more levels of child elements.
For more information about using children containers, see Section 5.7, Element Children Containers.
This section covers how to group multiple objects with a simple container:
3.11.1 Grouping Components with a Container
To group drawing components with a container:
-
Use the selection tool to select the desired components.
For example, this might include elements, shapes, and associated text labels.
Elements generated by an Automatic layout cannot be grouped with other items.
-
Right-click anywhere on a selected component and select > > .
The selected components are wrapped in an outer container.
3.11.2 Adjusting the Wrapping Container
While outer containers can be modified just like any other rectangle or drawing shape, there are some options that are unique to containers.
To adjust the outer container and wrapping attributes:
-
To adjust the wrap settings, right-click the container and select > > > . The Adjust Wrap Settings dialog box opens.
Do any of the following:
-
Select any of the radio buttons to adjust the spacing between the components.
-
Specify the minimum width of the outer container in the field.
-
Specify the minimum height of the outer container in the field.
Click .
-
-
To hide or show the outer container do one of the following:
-
To hide the outer container, right-click the container and select > > .
The outer rectangle is invisible to the view.
-
To restore the outer container, right-click the container and select > > .
-
3.11.3 Adjusting Container Layout Type
There are many types of layouts available for a container that set how components are displayed in the container. Grid and Flow layouts have additional settings for configuration.
To adjust the outer container and wrapping attributes:
-
In the drawing, right-click the container, then select > > > . The dialog box opens.
-
Select the layout type in the drop-down list.
-
Click .
The view updates to the new layout type.
-
To adjust setting on a Flow Layout, right-click the container and select > > > . The dialog box opens.
Specify options as desired for the number of columns, node alignment, spacing widths, column width and row height.
-
To adjust setting on a Flow Layout, right-click the container and select > > > . The dialog box opens.
Specify options as desired for the spacing and width.
Click .