Gavino

I am having difficulty modifying Visio shapes while keeping the component ID.
I know that D-Tools does not support Customization, but is there somewhere else to turn for visio customization tips and procedures?

While editing the shape, the text under the shape will read "componentID" or "the name of the equipment", but as soon as you drag the equipment onto the visio drawing from the DataMatrix, the componentID may or may not be displayed. I don't understand why. I want to standardize the drawings so that all the shapes have a componentID.

I would like to understand how to edit these properties or characteristics of the shapes. Anyone have a suggestion?

Thanks, G

jess@lavacorp

It took me years of messing with the SHAPE SHEET and inserting fields to figure out how to customize all my icons and images and show any D-tools info I wanted with them. I'm sure there is an easier way but did it through trial & error, comparing my icons & shapes with generic D-tools shapes, and looking for tutorials.

I wish I could explain it to you but I'm afraid I would fail miserably since I think the process is fairly complicated, at least for me. I'll try and point you in the right direction and from there you'll have to figure it out yourself, sorry.

I keep my shapes in a stencil so my directions apply accordingly. Editing a shape directly on a page works the same way but without doing it in a stencil.

1. Open a stencil from the stencil tree, ie. Speakers stencil.
2. Right click the little green icon and select edit stencil.
3. Open icon for editing by double clicking it.
4. Select icon and in the Edit drop down select Open "name of icon"
5. Make a text line and name it whatever you want, ie. ComponentID
6. Select text and in the Insert drop down select Field
7. Choose Custom Formula
8. For the Custom Formula you have to enter the formula for whatever field you want to show up. In this example it is for ComponentID. The formula would be =Sheet.5!Prop.ComponentID
9. Close each window and when it asks if you want to update say yes.

These directions only apply to a icon that is not linked to D-tools. It gets even more tricky to get that to happen. But in order for it to work for your D-tools equipment you either setup the visio shape in the Component Properties, or if the shape is already on the page right click>D-tools Shape>Change.

I hope these directions help. If I've got something wrong or need to add more let me know and I can update it so others can use it as well. (Great now I'm giving out my secret stuff that I use to win D-tools contests!).

Newman

That is very well explaind. Good job. I dont think you need to win any more d-tools contests, it has been every year they have done one right? Just kidding, you have taught me so much, Thanks

Newman

jess@lavacorp

Originally Posted by Newman

That is very well explaind. Good job. I dont think you need to win any more d-tools contests, it has been every year they have done one right? Just kidding, you have taught me so much, Thanks Newman

Alright, Newman taught me how to do it. I can't take the credit. This cat can get it done whatever it is, I'll give ya his email if you need it!

Newman

Thanks.

Samk

how can you not display the number in comp id on a page, i dont need it on my line diagram. ie "spk-den' not "spk-den-023"

SNIFFER111

Does anyone know how to modify the component ID to display at the cable ends as opposed to the middle?

Newman

I tried this many years ago with little to no success. Sorry, i am no help here.