Custom Visio Icon - D-Tools Forum

04-14-2006, 07:00 PM

Can anyone tell me the steps to creating a custom Icon in Visio and relating it to a D-Tools item so in plan mode I can grab the item and my custom icon pops up.

garym · 04-16-2006, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by ASoundintheDesert

Can anyone tell me the steps to creating a custom Icon in Visio and relating it to a D-Tools item so in plan mode I can grab the item and my custom icon pops up.

What are you trying to accomplish? I'm not sure I understand your question, by icon do you mean Visio shape?

04-17-2006, 04:45 PM

Yes a shape. I've done it before...but i never know what i have done to make it work. It's usally just trial and error until it works. And then I don't know what i have done. If someone knows the actual steps that would be helpful.

garym · 04-18-2006, 09:02 PM

You may find this helpful, although the linked pdf files are long gone. Maybe someone from d-tools could get them from Bryn and post them.

http://www.imakenews.com/d-tools/e_a...FkkDV,a1rTVykb

The short answer is, you right click the shape and select "link to database", but I found Bryn's article very helpful.

04-18-2006, 10:25 PM

Thanks for the input Gary.

Yeah, if I place the shape on the page and then link it to an item that works for that one item. But what I want to be able to do is build a bid in Text and then go into Visio with a completed Text Bid and when in Plan View, grab the line item from the bid and have the image pop onto the plan.

What I need to figure out is after I create a custom shape in visio (let's say a custom wall plate layout), and I link it to a D-Tools item (tiverton UHC plate for example), what steps do i need to take so that everytime I put a Tiverton UHC Plate into a bid, the shape I have assigned it to will pop up when I drag it onto the plan view page. I can't seem to get the shape I have just created to show up in the list of shapes that are available when I "right-click>D-Tools shape>change>plates" the box that shows up now. DO I need to protect the shape, if so what do I need to protect. Do I assign it to a item before or after protecting. How do I get the shape to show up on the list in the Visio tab>Plan View pull down of the item window?

Am I making sence?

Beuller???

Is anyone understanding me???

I don't think anyone is understanding me, Martha.

Hello?

Yes I hit enter, Martha!!

04-19-2006, 05:49 PM

See link on post below

04-19-2006, 06:11 PM

That is cool, but there is no data to tell you what that item is. I walked through this, but I like to have the CompID showing and all that jazz. I think the idea is to copy an existing shape, modify it and then save it like you said. I will try that now and let you know how it works out.

garym · 04-19-2006, 07:48 PM

Those Fields can be added to any shape. Category, manufacturer, model, type, comp ID, and HxWxD are all custom properties and can easily be added to any shape.

Bob Pothier · 05-01-2006, 01:18 PM

I have posted a complete walk through of creating (modifying) shapes in Visio. Please click on FAQ in the bar above and then click on Support FAQs. If you have comments or questions please post them here.

05-01-2006, 08:15 PM

I was planning on doing this. I ran through this and it is really close to what I was doing. The lock thing had thrown me off though. Nice! Now my drawings will certainly look sweet!