Visio 2003 Developer's Survival Pack Additional Notes

	Visio^® 2003 Developer's Survival Pack Additional Notes
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Additional Notes, Errata etc Organized by Table of Contents

Section	Page	Comment
Part 1: Overview Of The Visio Development Environment
Chapter 1: Introduction	23
Programmable Diagramming: Enter Visio	24
The Development Challenges	24
Who This Book Is For	25
What This Book Covers	26
What This Book Does Not Cover	26
Caveat: This Book Is Probably Wrong!	26
Companion Website for Tools, Samples, Updates	27
Visio Version Information	27
Acknowledgements	28
Chapter 2: Overview of Visio Territory	29
The User's View	29
The Developer's View	30
Generic Solution Structure	31
At the Heart	31
Automation	32
Added Functionality	32
Connections To Data	34
Example Scenarios	35
First Look At Visio Structure	36
"Model + View + Controller" Structure	37
Document Types and Roles	37
Where The ShapeSheet Environment Fits In	38
ShapeSheet Heavily Used In Automation Too	39
The Automation Environment	39
Visio Model vs. Solution Model	40
From Here	40
Chapter 3: A Plan For Coping	41
Planning Your Course Of Study	41
1. This Book Builds On Other Essential Sources	41
2. Use the Automation Object Model as Mental Scaffolding	43
3. Reading Strategies	43
Preparation	44
Multiple Monitors	44
Get Comfortable With VBA	44
Companion Website For This Book	44
Visio 2003 Developer's Survival Pack Browser Tools	45
Document-Page-Window Browser	45
Drag-And-Drop Spy	45
Geometry Helper	45
ShapeSheet Developer Helper	45
Screwdriver for Directional Connection Points	45
Animation Addon	45
Events Browser	45
UIObjects Browser	45
CommandBars Browser	45
Inheritance Browser	46
XML Browser	46
Bulk VS?-to-XML Converter	46
Visio.bin Browser	46
Download and Installation	46
Visio 2003 Developer's Survival Pack Utilities	46
VB-to-VSL Adapter Component	46
Registration Tools	46
Other References and Support	46
Books	46
Newsgroups	47
Websites	47
More Visio Tools	47
Preliminary Visio and VBA Skillset	47
Preliminary User-level Visio Activities	48
Some ShapeSheet Activities	49
Preliminary Developer-Level Activities	49
From Here	50
Part 2: Visio Structural Breakdowns
Chapter 4: Visio Object Model	53
Object Model Developments in Visio 2003	53
Expanded Object Model	55
Objects with Cells	55
Collections Versus Individual Objects	55
User Interface Objects Shown Abbreviated	55
Layer Objects	55
Relationship To DVS and Poster Object Models	55
Browsable Object-Property-Method Tables	56
Tools for Object Model Browsing	56
Visimation Xpose	56
VBA Object Browser	57
VBA Locals Window	57
XML Browser	58
Additional Tools	58
From Here	58
Chapter 5: ShapeSheet Structure and Functions Introduction	59
Orientation	59
Complete Automation Understanding Must Include Cells!	59
ShapeSheet-Environment Covers "Content" Branch of Object Model	60
ShapeSheet Organized as Sections, Rows and Columns	60
ShapeSheet Section-Row-Cell Reference Tables	62
ShapeSheet Orientation Continued	62
"All ShapeSheets Behave the Same"	62
How the ShapeSheet Applies to Diagram Shapes	62
Objects Which Contain Cells Via Dummy Shapes	63
Objects Which Contain Cells Directly	63
ShapeSheet Sections and Rows	64
Varying Section-Row Structures	64
Sections and Rows vs. Objects	66
ShapeSheet Formulas and Functions	66	Table 5-2: Sections Reviewer, Annotation and SmartTag should have their Applicability marked with "3" (instead of "Y") to indicate they are new to Visio 2003.
From Here	68
Part 3: Visio Functional Areas In Depth
Chapter 6: Visio Files: Drawings, Stencils, Templates	71
Top Concepts	71
Organizing Our Overview	72
Use XML Browser	73
File Relationships	73
Drawing File Point-of-View	73
Drawing File With Stencil	74
Template file	75
Summary of Roles of Document Components	77
Silly Visio File Tricks	77
File Architecture Implications	77
Developing Masters and Styles	77
Where To Put VBA Code?	78
How Visio Groups Solution Components	78
Directory-Based Component Grouping	78
MSI-Based Component Grouping	79
MSI 5 Cent Tour	80
Alternate Names: How Visio Finds Templates and Stencils	81
Conclusions	81
From Here	82
Chapter 7: Shapes	83
Comfort First	83
Shapes and Masters	83
"Hello World" via Automation and VBA	84	Example in book shows "Basic Shapes.vss" as stencil name. Prior to Visio 2003, this selected the appropriate stencil by virtue of matching the actual filename. In V2003, this no longer matches the stencil's actual filename, and also may not be provided as an alternate stencil name, to avoid confusing US and metric stencils. Instead use the universal name for the desired stencil, as in the sample code in HelloWorld.vsd: Set ADoc = Documents("BASIC_U.vss")
Single Shape Type, Distinguishing Attributes	84
Shape Features Overview	84
Identity and Name	86
Some Subtleties	88
Coordinate Space and Alignment Box	89
Coordinate Space	89
One-Dimensional Shapes (Connectors)	90
Alignment Box	91
Selectively Enabling/Disabling Various Geometry-Controlling Features	92
Geometry and Geometry Attributes	92
Geometry Row Types	92
Geometry Attributes	93
Geometry-Related Formatting	94
Adjusting Feature Positions: Controls	94
Text	94
Studying Visio's Supplied Stencils and Templates	95
From Here	95
Geometry In Detail	95
Text in Detail	95
Shapes With Member "Sub-Shapes" (Group Shapes)	95
Connectors, 1-D Shapes	95
Glue, Connections and Connection Points	95
Solution-Specific "Data"	96
Styles and Masters	96
Layers	96
Right-Click Context Menu: Actions	96
Events	96
Foreign Objects	96
Hyperlinks	96
Chapter 8: Shape Geometry	97
Overview of Visio Geometry	97
Visio Geometry Types	99
Playing with Shape Geometry	100
Automation: Don't Overlook DrawXxx Methods	100
ArcTo, Ellipse and EllipticalArcTo	100
ArcTo Row	100
Ellipse Row	101
EllipticalArcTo	102
Some EllipticalArcTo Tricks	102
Related Automation Methods for ArcTo, Ellipse and EllipticalArcTo	104
Developer Aid: GeoHelper	104
PolyLineTo Row Type	104
Related Automation Methods for PolyLineTo	105
NURBSTo Row Type	105
NURBS in the Drawing Window	106
NURBS Foundation	107
In More Detail	107
Correspondence to NURBSTo Row	111
Closed (Periodic) NURBS: The Rap on Wrapping	112
So What Are Those Visio Adjuster Handles Anyway?	113
Solving Some Problems	113
Summary Comparison of Visio UI Versus NURBS Features	114	Table 8-3, last row: "near begin point"
Dynamic Connector Geometry	115
Related Automation Methods for NURBSTo	115
References	115
Ink	115
From Here	116
Chapter 9: Masters and Shapes	117
"Master" versus "Shape Instance"	117
Master-To-Shape and Shape-To-Master	118
Starting From the New Master Command	118
Starting From Drawing Page	118
Stencil File versus Document Stencil	119
Instances Are Always Created From Local Stencil	120
Master Matching Alternatives	120
Development Implications	120
Other Notes	121
From Here	121
Chapter 10: ShapeSheet Mastery	123
ShapeSheet Cell Reference Syntax	123
Finding Out Cell Names	124
Universal and Local Row and Cell Names	125
Changed in Visio 2003	125	"(and their cells)"
Which Names Are Which?	125	p126, Developer Caution for Visio 2002/200 and Before: delete "and Before"
ShapeSheet Calculation Dependencies	126
Cells Set Multiple Ways	127
Monitoring Recalc Loops	128
Keys To Solution	128
Trickier Example	128
To REALLY Break A Loop	129
Twin Peaks Example	129
Flaky Recalculation Problems	131
The DEPENDSON( ) Function	132
Visio 2003 SetAtRef Functions	133
SetAtRefExpr(Last-Formula-Stuffed-In)	134
SetAtRef( ) and SetAtRefEval( )	134	User.CtlPt2 formula had not updated at time of screenshot. Should be: User.CtlPt2 = (Width*0.375)
Previous Examples Revisited	135
Fancy Path for Control	136
Glueable Stay-Horizontal Connector	136
Guard( ) Function Revisited	137
ShapeSheet Cell Types and Units	138
Internal Numeric Value versus Output Appearance	138
"Magic" X, Y Extraction	138
Assumed Units	138
Formula Change Tracking	139
Aids for Developers	139
Macro Recorder	139
ShapeSheet Formula Tracing Window	139
Cell Dependents and Precedents	140
ShapeSheet Developer Helper Tool	140
ShapeSheet Editing in XML Text Format	140
Named-Row Reordering	141
Automated Aids for Building Shapes	141
Shape Studio	141
Do-It-Yourself Shape Builder	141
Editing and Studying XML Files	142
From Here	142
Chapter 11: All Things Text	143
Shape.Text	143
Overview	143
Text Position	144
Text Appearance	144
Fields: ShapeSheet Values to Text	144	Table 11-1, rows 8 and 9: Columns G and H do not appear in ShapeSheet window.
Text To ShapeSheet: SHAPETEXT( )	144
Text To ShapeSheet Value: EVALTEXT()	145
Setting the Text from the ShapeSheet	145
Selectively Enabling/Disabling Text Behaviors	146
Text Formatting: Details	146
Overview	146
Character and Paragraph Sections: Controlling Text Format	146
Paragraph Section	148
Visio's Text Format Model Revisited	148
ShapeSheet Text and String Functions	149
Basic String Functions: New in Visio 2003	149
Testing String Equality: STRSAME	150
Making Text Fit	150
Alignment Box Expands To Accommodate Text	150
Text Scales Proportional to Shape Height	150
Text Scales Smaller to Fit More Text	150
Text Clipped to Shape Interior	150
Level Text	152
Text Follows Angle, Right-Side-Up	152
Text Positionable by User	153
Text Positioned Near Connector Endpoint	153
Improved Text Quality and Behavior in Visio 2003	153
Quality Settings	153
Text Events	154
Comments and "Screen Tips"	154
Visio Style Comments (aka "Screen Tips")	154
Office Style Comments	155
Add Office Comment to Shape	155
Related Text Topics	155
Other Text Data Notes	155
Smart Tags	156
From Here	156
Chapter 12: Composite Shapes Using Groups	157
Group Structure	157
Group As Holder Only	157
Group As Shape With Sub-Shapes	158
Member Coordinate Space	160
Group Behavior Variants	160
Resize Behavior	160
Add On Drop, a Very Promising Feature	161
Controlling The Alignment Box	162
Controlling Formatting	162
Controlling Selection During Shape.Drop	163
A Composite Shape Example	163
Structure	163
Behavior	164
ShapeSheet	165
Editing The Structure With VBA Functions	166
Embellishments	169
Protection/Enablement Issues	170
Cell Dependents and Precedents	170
Form-Style Text Behavior	171
Navigation	171
Text Clipping	171	Keyboard events: Issue: These do not fire when a shape is in *text* editing mode.
From Here	172
Chapter 13: Connectors, Routing and Layout	173
Plan of Attack	173
Connectors Using Ordinary ShapeSheet Features	174
1-D Coordinate Space	174
Straight Connector	175
Curve Connector	176
Right Angle Connector	176
Shortcomings	177
Universal Connector	177
Further Caveats	180	Small-font section, after "This workaround..." The reference to SR1 was Visio 2000 SR1. The ability to disable dynamic connector vertex handles was resolved in Visio 2002.
Summary of Simple Connectors Implementation	180
Dynamic Layout Services	181
Overview of Dynamic Layout Services	181
Basic DLS Participation Eligibility: ObjType	182
Dynamic Layout Services Details	183
Routing	184
Connector "Appearance"	185
Line Jumps	185
Plowing	185
Layout	186
Dynamic "Walking" Glue	187
Page-level DLS Disable: DynamicsOff	187
Connector Splitting	187
Dynamic Connectors	188
Dynamic Connector Geometry	188
Implications For Geometry Dependents	189
Text Pin	189
Connection Points	190
Control Points	190
Enable/Disable Dynamic Connector Functionality	190
Some Dynamic Connector Developer Issues	190
Alternative Solutions to Fancy Routing	193
Comments	195
Dynamic Layout Performance Hints	196
Comparison of Connector Strategies	196
From Here	198
Chapter 14: Glue and Connects	199
Orientation	199
What Glues to What	201
Glue In Action	201
Initialization	201
How Gluer Depends on Gluee	203
Control Point to Connection Point	203
Connector Endpoint to Connection Point	203
Connector to "Shape": Dynamic or "Walking" Glue	203
Various Parts to Guide Lines	204
Visio's Gendered, Directional Connection Points	204
Working with Gendered Connection Points	205
Factors Affecting User Operation of Glue	207
Enhanced Snap and Glue Control in Visio 2002/3	207
Lock/Guard Glue Formulas	209
Connections To/From Group Member Shapes	209
Some Glue Issues	209
Dynamic Glue (_WALKGLUE) Issues	209
Connects Objects: Reporting On Connections	210
Connects Just Reports on Cells	210
Some Connections Report As Two Connect Objects	210
Connector-Sensitive Connection Points	210
Other Notes	211
Temporary Connection Points	211
Visio 2003's Connector Splitting Feature	211
From Here	212
Chapter 15: Formatting Via Masters and Styles	213
Mastering Master Concepts	214
Copying versus Inheritance	214
The Initial Master-Instance Relationship	214
Verifying Inheritance/Local Behavior	215
Creating and Removing Local Override Formulas	216
Severing Master-Shape Inheritance	216
Master Identity and Names	216
Styles-The Basics	216
Style "Attribute Sets": Three Sets of Cells	217
Style-to-Style Inheritance	218
Master and Style Inheritance, Together At Last	218
Developer Aid: Style Clues in the ShapeSheet Window	219
Developer Aid: Inheritance Browser	220
Three "Sub-Style" Attribute-Sets Versus Overall "Style"	220
Applying a Style	221
Applying a Style Switches Inheritance For Entire Attribute-Set	221
Applying a Local Formula or Value to a Cell	221
Does "Apply Style" Beat Guard() and LockFormat?	222
Reverting a Section or Cell to Inheritance	222
Un-Applying a Style (Revert to Inheritance-from-Master)	222
Style Collisions	222
Style Philosophy and Application	223
Styles as Named Sets of Attribute-Values	223
Styles for Conveying Semantics	223
The Evil "Color Scheme" Add-On	224
Rethinking the Motivation	224
Bottom Line	225
Some Development Implications	225
Seemingly Superfluous Style Sections?	225
Incomplete Inheritance Visibility	225
The Need for Tools	226
From Here	226
Chapter 16: Line and Fill Patterns and Line Ends	227
Relationship Between Pattern Masters and Instances	227
Parameters	228
Line Pattern and Line End Miscellany	229
Creating Unscaled Line-Ends	229
Line End Sizing Ratios	230
Line Pattern and Line End Positioning	231
Line Patterns vs Overlaid Lines	231
Other Wrinkles	232
From Here	232
Chapter 17: Documents, Pages, Layers and Markup	233
Document	233
Page	235
PageSheet	236
Background Pages	237
Markup	237
Markup Pages	237
View with DocPgWin Tool	237
Working with Markup	238
Markup's Default Behavior	238
Implementing Rigorous Markup Behavior	239
Markup Task Pane Markup List	241
Convert Markup to Normal Page	241
Layers	241
Layer Structure And Behavior	242
A Page's Layers Versus the Layers Object	242
A Shape's Layer Membership	242
Adding/Deleting Layers	242
Assigning Shapes to Layers	242
Using Layers	242
Layers For Shape Data Attributes and Querying	243
Querying Made Feasible	244
Layer Control Tricks	244
From Here	245
Part 4: Building Visio Solutions
Chapter 18: Building Solutions: Introduction	249
Overview	249
Alternative Solution Forms	250
Summary	251
Orientation to Visio User Interface, Events and Windows	252
Preview of Some Key Issues	253
Angle of Upcoming Solution Topics	254
A Note on Visual Studio.NET	254
Different Visio Roles, Different Forms of Solution	255
Visio for Rendering/Output	255
Visio for Information Capture	255
"Discipline-Specific Drawing Environment"	256
Discrete Operations on Drawing	256
Adding Intelligence to Shapes: "Shape Services"	257
Adding Intelligence to Drawings: Drawing-wide Semantics	257
Drawings as Views of Models	257
Visio as Control Panel	258
Visio Drawing Control Opportunities	258
From Here	258
Chapter 19: Menus, Toolbars, Accelerators	259	See suppplemental info, end of this chapter section
Orientation	260
Two User Interface Models to Choose From!	260
Study Sequence	261
Overview of UIObject-Based Object Model	261
Items	261
"Groups" of Items	262
"Sets" Handle "Context"	262
Extent of User Interface Data	262
Three "Levels" Of UI Customization	263
UIObjects: Messy Details	265
UIObject Browser: Completing the Picture	265
Overview of CommandBars-Based UI Object Model	266
Visio's Use of CommandBars	267
CommandBarControl Events	268
CommandBar Browser	268
Document-Specific CommandBars?	269
UIObjects and CommandBars, Together At Last	269
UIObject-Based Model to CommandBars	270
CommandBars to UIObject-Based Model	270
Implications for CommandBarControl Events	272
Usability of CommandBar Model	273
General UI Strategy Using the UIObject-Based Model	274
Constructing a Custom UI	274
Details	274
Persisting and Instating a Custom UI	276
Other Sources of Menus and Menu-Like Things	277
Don't Forget ShapeSheet Actions Section!	277
Visio 2003: SmartTags Piggyback on Actions	278
MouseDown Popup Menus	278
Wrinkles	278
Potentially Confusing UIObject Names	278
Persistent Events on Visio Templates Caused UI Confusion	278
Disappearing Toolbar Items	279
Example UI Exercises	279
Adding UI Elements	279
Minimal UI	281
From Here	282
SUPPLEMENT: Macro Shortcut		Not mentioned in this chapter, but relevant is: Visio 2003 adds the ability to associate a shortcut key with a particular macro, via the Macros dialog box (Tools > Macros > Options). This is limited to Ctrl-something where something is an alpha character -- note: many of those are already dedicated to built-in function (eg: Ctrl-B for bold and so on). The mechanism this uses is to attach a VB_ProcData.VB_Invoke_Func attribute to the macro (VB Sub) in question... something you can see if you save the VBA module as text. It's not clear to me if this is a Good Idea... but it's good for a quick hack.
Chapter 20: Events and Other Notifications	285	"See page XXX" references: note_ch20_xxx
Overview	285
Several Different Event Mechanisms	288
Event Persistence	288
Notifications from ShapeSheet Activities	288
CALLTHIS	289
RUNADDON	290
RUNADDONWARGS	291
Dedicated Event Cells	292
QueueMarkerEvent	292
Automation Events Overview	293
Spectrum of Events Exposed	293
Event Filters	294
Document Events	294
WithEvents Event Handling	294
WithEvents Overview	295
Code for WithEvents: Simple Case	295
Forgetful" VBA?	296
Example With Model	296
Code for WithEvents: More Realistic Case, Using Class Module	297
Further Issues	300
Events Via EventList.Add and AddAdvise	301
Developer Aids	301
Events Browser	301
Event Trace	302
SDK Event Monitor	302
EventList.Add	302
EventList.AddAdvise	304
Simple Event Sink Example	305
Event Sink with Forwarding	306
Persistence	307
AddAdvise Compared To WithEvents	307
EventList Interacts With WithEvents	307
Filters	308
Miscellaneous Issues	310
QueueMarkerEvents Revisited	310
NoEventsPending versus VisioIsIdle	311
BeforeXXX Events	312
VB/VBA Issue With Signed Two-Byte EventCode Values	312
Mouse and Keyboard Events	312
.NET Implications	313
From Here	313
Chapter 21: VBA-Based Solutions	315
Visio VBA State-Of-Play	315
Overview	316
Benefits and Drawbacks of VBA-Based Solutions	316
The Modules of a VBA Project	317
"Ordinary" Modules	318
Class Modules	318
Forms	319
ThisDocument Module	320
Be Aware of VBA Project Behavior Options!	321
Getting Rid of a VBA Project	321
Where To Put Solution Code	321
Put VBA Code In Stencil	322
What About Document Events?	322
Copying Code From Stencil To Drawing	322	p323 small-font Note on accessing VBE from code. This is further complicated by the issue that access to the VBE object model is governed by security checks -- I think this is new in Visio 2003. Check MSDN Library for details (this is a generic VBA/VBIDE issue).
Cross-Project and ShapeSheet-to-Project References	323
Project to Project	323
Calling from ShapeSheet, (and UI Items and Events)	324
Establishing Drawing-to-Stencil References	325
Project Paths	326
Project Names	326
From Here	326
Chapter 22: "Visio Solution Library" Solutions: VSLs and Addons	327
Overview of VSL Features	328
The VSL API	328
The Visio-to-VSL Conversation	329
Introducing the VBVSL_Adapter	330
Overview of VBVSL and Adapter	330
Minimal "VBVSL_Min" Example	331
IVBVSL Interface Details	331
Fulfilling the Needs of VBVSL.cls	334
Structure For More Complex VSLs	338
Breaking Down Functionality By Addon Or "Command"?	338
Installation, Registration and Uninstallation	339
VSL/Addon Registration With Visio	340
VSL Unregistration	340
Additional VSL Installation Considerations	340
.NET and VSLs	341
Summary of Benefits and Drawbacks to VSLs	341
Benefits	341
Drawbacks	342
From Here	342
Chapter 23: Exe and Out-of-Process Solutions	343
Out-Of-Process Concerns	344
Integration With Visio	344
ReflectArgs Exe Example	346
Conclusions	347
.NET Exe Solutions	347
From Here	347
Chapter 24: COM Addin Solutions	349
COM Addins Overview	349	MSDN: Creating COM Add-ins for Visio
COM Addins In Visio	350
Conclusion	351
From Here	352
Chapter 25: Solution Window Management	353
Visio's "Windows"	353
Windows	354
Window methods and Attributes	355
Example: Hiding the Shape Search Window	355
Task Pane	356
Solution Windows in Visio	356
Out-of-Process vs. In-Process Windows	356
Default Visual Basic Form Behavior	357
Modal Form	357
Modeless Form	357
Coordinating modeless windows with Visio	357
Plain Desktop window	358
Plain MDI Child window	360
Anchor window	361
Stencil window	365
From Here	366
Chapter 26: Visio ActiveX Drawing Control	367
Basic Visio Drawing Control Container	367
"Single Document" Concept	368
File > New	368
File > Open	369
File > Save As	369
File > Save	370
Additional Sample Functions	370
Open a Stencil	370
Tidy Windows	370
Access the Automation Model from Host App	371
Respond To Events	372
Respond to Visio Object Events	373
Other Ideas	373
Further Considerations	374
Drawing Control's Relation to Visio Application	374
VDC.HostID	374
Using Multiple Controls	374
User Interface	375
Utility of Addons and Addins in VDC Scenarios	375
From Here	376
Chapter 27: ShapeSheet Service Addons	377
Event Lifetimes and "ShapeSheet Services"	377
ShapeSheet Services Pattern	378
Demo ShapeSheet Services Sample	378
Main ShapeSheet Services Concepts	379
"Demo ShapeSheet Services" Sample	379
I-Am-Selected Service	380
Supporting Utility Functions	383
Connect Count Service	383
Navigation Keys Service	384
Further Notes on Demo ShapeSheet Services Sample	386
Conclusions	386
From Here	386
Chapter 28: Visio and XML	387
Visio 2003's XML Features	387	IMPORTANT: Visio 2003's default installation sets Visio to output XML in a format with no indents and few linebreaks. This is very difficult to use in a text editor. To get Visio to output semsibly formatted XML, there's a registry setting: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Visio\Application] "XMLEmitIndents"="1"
Optional XML File Format: "XML for Visio"	387
VDX-Format IDataObject and Drag and Drop	388
Solution-Specific XML In Document	388
Solution-Specific XML in ShapeSheet	388
SVG Format Export	388
Making Sense of XML	388
What XML Looks Like	388
It's A Document, No Wait, It's A Database, No Wait...	389
MSXML	390
XSL and XSLT	390
Schemas	391
Namespaces	391
Hands-On "XML for Visio"	392
Studying VDXs To Learn Visio Structure	392
"XML for Visio" for Hard-to-Fix Fixups	393
SolutionXML Examples	394
Processing "XML for Visio" Files	396
Ideas	396
Using MSXML to Iterate Through All Nodes	397
View	397
Change: Re-Mastering Shapes	399
Let MSXML Do The Walking: XSL Patterns and XPath	399
Visio XML Straight To HTML, in Code	400
Visio XML Straight To HTML, in Browser	401
Wrinkles	402
Generating XML for Visio	403
From Here	406
Chapter 29: IDataObject and Shape Drag-and-Drop	407
Visio's Use of OLE Drag and Drop	408
Drag and Drop Objects	408
Introducing IDataObject	410
From Visio Shape to IDataObject	410
"Clipboard" Data Formats	411
Summary So Far	411
Stencil-Like Features, Using Various Languages	411
Visual Basic 6 and VBA	411	Bottom of page: the "hard work" demo is actually the example described starting on page 417, with the code on p419 showing how to repackage the IDataObject data.
C# .NET Implementation	414
VS 6 C++ and Borland Delphi Implementation	415
XML IDataObject	415
XML Data To Visio	415
XML Data From Visio	416
Persisting IDataObject Data	417
VB6 Drag and Drop The Hard Way	417
Drag And Drop Demo	417
From Here	422
Chapter 30: Visio and ActiveX	423
Using Ordinary ActiveX Controls in a Visio Document	423
Dynamically Adding ActiveX Controls to Drawing	424
Documents Linked/Embedded In Visio	425
Visio ActiveX Control?	426
Accessing Visio from Within an "ActiveX Shape"	426
AXShape Sample	426
From Here	428
Chapter 31: Animation	429
"Manual" Animation	429
Move Disappointing, Rotate Works	429
Live Dynamics Option and Shape Cell	430
Overcoming Move Problem: Use Control Point	430
No VBA While Dragging--Some Alternatives	431
"Real" Animation	431
Animation Component	431
Following A Path	432
Off-Screen Drawing	435
Faster Roads (and other Path Patterns)	435
From Here	436
Chapter 32: Export and Bitmap Topics	437
Working with Bitmaps In Visio	437
Bitmaps, Start to End In Visio	438
Other Factors Impacting Bitmap Output Quality	439
Shape With Swappable Bitmap	440
Save As Web Page	441
Controlling Bitmap Export From Code	441
Document's Preview Picture	442
From Here	444
Chapter 33: Some Utilitarian Odds and Ends	445
Persisting Solution Data	445
Text In Cell	446
XML	446
VisXData and IStorage	446
When to Persist	448
Undo	448
Undo Sample VBA	448
Document Protection	449
Registry	450
Version Info	450
From Here	452
Chapter 34: Some Deployment Notes	453
Considerations for Stencils and Templates	453	454, top line: "applies to the use of Layers"
Considerations for VSL and COM Addins	455	Notes on signing code (avoiding macro security warnings] note_signcode.htm
From Here	455
Chapter 35: Internationalization Features	457
Overview of Internationalization Features	458	paragraph 4: "consistent rule that, for the end-user, the user interface"
Automation Model	458
Shape Sheet Window: Changed for Visio 2003	458
Details	459
"First time sets both names" Behavior	459
Named Rows	459	near bottom of page: "...perhaps edited a row name several times (in a legacy document, using Visio 2002 or 2000), probably didn't get..."
Default Collection Properties	460
Cells() Special?	461
Cell.Formula Not Just Local	461
ShapeSheet Formula Units	461
Decimal Points and Argument Separators	461
Special Case: SETF	461
Visio-Supplied Stencil Names	462
Migration Issues	462
From Here	462
Part 5: Browsable Reference to Visio Structure
Chapter 36: ShapeSheet Section-Row-Cell Structure	465
Reading The Tables	465
Constants	465
Finding The Section Of Interest	466
Chapter 37: ShapeSheet Functions	487
Chapter 38: Visio Objects, Properties and Methods	497
This Section Available for Download Only	497
Chapter 39: Events Table	503
Index	507
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Performance Notes

A few additional notes for faster performance:

For faster construction or editing of complex drawings with large numbers of shapes:
- Use in-process rather than out-of-process Automation client -- so use VSL or COM Addin.
- Temporarily disable time-consuming activities like:
  - Application.ShowChanges off
  - (Application.ScreenUpdating is unneeded if you use ShowChanges)
  - Application.DeferRecalc on
  - Application.LiveDynamics off
  - Application.Autolayout off
  - Application.UndoEnabled off
- Drop multi shapes at once using Page.DropMany and related methods
- Write multi cells at once using Shape.SetFormulas and related methods
For more responsive UI
- If possible structure complex shapes using multi geometry sections rather than groups.

Article Created: 2003-10-01 Last edit: Last edit: 03-11-24 Graham Wideman Go to: DiagramAntics.com