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JAMNGLS

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Right angle connector tool behaves as a straight connector on some connections?

I select right angle connection tool to connect points between two different objects.  On some connections the connector tool behaves as a straight connector even though the properties indicate right angle.  This only happens some time.  Is there a property of the objects that I am not setting correctly.  I am working in VISIO 2010
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Scott Helmers
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A dynamic connector will have bends when it needs to but will not if the objects at its ends are aligned horizontally or vertically. User generated image I'm guessing, however, that you are talking about something other than this.

If you have a question about a specific connector, right-click the connector and check the lower part of the context menu. You should see something like this: User generated image Do your "straight" connectors show "Right-Angle Connector"?
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Jeff Nash

I am having the same problem with Visio pro 2013.  The property of the connector shows as Right-Angle BTW, in answer to the question above.  Sometimes it behaves as  a right angle, and sometimes behaves as straight, making a diagonal connection.  I can only have right angle connections on these drawings.  thanks for any ideas.
You can see my original post of the problem here.  https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29048556/Right-angle-connectors-some-want-to-go-diagonal.html?anchorAnswerId=42242474#a42242474
Very curious... any chance you can post the diagram so I can take a look? You can either attach it here, or send it to the email address in my profile.
connectorTest1.vsd
Here is a simplified copy of my orig file showing some connectors performing as right angle, some performing as straight.
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John Marshall
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Scott and I took a look at your drawing and we can confirm that there is an issue.
Where did you obtain these shapes from? For a good EE shape, there should be exact connection points that match the location of the screw heads, rather than just anywhere on the edge. The bigger shapes contains a number of smaller shapes that are only used to create the attachment points of the devices (the D shaped tabs at the top)
I will try and clean this up to see if the simplification solves the problem. This will be pro bono.
I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction, I think I got some of the shapes from vendors and created others.  I added connection points to have a definite origin point.
ok, I found the Drawing Explorer, I see what you mean, long list.
I created a new version of the smaller device from the larger one.  Connectors do seem to behave properly now, so you must be right, that messy shape was too much for visio.
What are Geometry sections?  How do I create them instead of groups?
Thanks for all your help,
Jeff
Jeff -- John and I have conversed about another aspect of your diagram that he's looking at now. One of the shapes, the temperature probe, contains a lot of connection points that really shouldn't be there. They overlap with the legitimate connection points on the numbered terminal blocks and I think they are a big part of what is causing the straight vs. right-angled connector issues. Stay tuned... more information is on the way.
Jeff, it sounds like you are about to be introduced to the world of the shapesheet.
The Geometry section contains rows that describe the lines and curves of a shape, If you do Developer -> Operations  -> Join you will combine some Geometry shapes. Sometimes you should take a step back and replace rather than try to combine. On the main shapes are rectangles with rounded corners. These can be created by drawing a rectangle and Home -> Line and chose Line Options then set the rounding size. The shapes have a flat side on the top and this can be done by positioning the top part of the rectangle above the top edge. draw a horizontal line at the top edge and Developer-> Operations -> Fragment. This will give you the shape you want. If you draw on top of a shape to get the size right, set the fill colour to be partial transparent so you can see the background shape.
Is the numbering at the top of the shape on the right correct? I see 13,14,15,17,18,13,14,15,17,18,18 It is not uncommon for an electrical device to have duplicate pads, but the are different except for COM which is 14,18,18
thanks Scott and John,
You are helping me to understand that Visio is sensitive about the construction of the shape object.  I had assumed all that mattered were the connection points.  I put that smaller object together by copying objects from other shapes.  When I recreated the smaller shape, starting from the larger shape and cutting objects, it appears I still have a viable shape now for the smaller object.

Connectors now seem to act correctly.  I appreciate you identifying the problem and will now examine/construct new shapes in a way that keeps them viable for connection.
I have finished a replacement for the smaller shape and should have it tested later today or tomorrow.
sorry to cause you to spend time but your tip as to the cause was enough for me to replace it as well.
thanks for spreading your knowledge!
Glad we could be of service!
big help, I was stuck
No problem. I enjoy tearing apart Visio shapes to see how they tick (or do not). The exercise also got me working on an article on how to actually create shapes.
The shape was too complex and Visio bailed and used the default diagonal line.