Using Stencils

Using Stencils

Diagrams are created by placing different pre-drawn shapes called stencils on the page. Stencils can represent many different things and Kivio comes with a wide selection. For ease of reference they grouped into collections known as stencil sets. To use a stencil set select File->Add Stencil Set. The stencil sets have been sub-divided into several groups, a sub-menu lists these. The shapes in the stencil set are shown on the left-hand side of the document view.

Stencils are grouped into stencil sets for organizational purposes only, it is perfectly okay to add several stencil sets to a document and Kivio allows you to mix and match stencils from different sets freely.

To place a stencil onto the document simply drag it from the stencil area to the page.

Selecting Stencils

Kivio identifies the stencil currently being edited by displaying six green rectangles on the corners and edges of a square around the stencil. Stencils shown in this manner are described as being selected. The green rectangles are known as handles. To change the currently selected stencil move the mouse pointer over the stencil you wish to select and press the left mouse button. To select all the stencils in the current document select Edit->Select All. To deselect all stencils select Edit->Select None.

Moving Stencils

To move a stencil to another position on the page. Move the mosue pointer over the stencil, note the pointer will change to a cross with four arrows. Hold down the left mouse button and move the stencil to the new position. Release the mouse button.

Resizing a Stencil

Move the mouse pointer over one of the handles and note the mouse pointer change. Hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse, the size of the stencil will be adjusted continuously as the mouse is moved. When you are happy with the new size release the mouse button.

Undoing a Mistake

If at any time you are unhappy with a change you have made to the document you can select Edit->Undo to revert the change. There is also an icon on the toolbar.

If you undo an action and decide that was a mistake select Edit->Redo restore the change. Kivio stores multiple actions to undo/redo several changes.

Limitations of the Stencils

Note that stencils cannot currently be rotated.

Labeling Stencils

Stencils can contain text to describe their function. To add text to a stencil move the mouse pointer over the stencil and double-click. A dialog box will appear prompting for some text. Enter some text and click OK, the text should be shown inside the stencil.

The font, size, alignment and style of the text can be adjusted by selecting Format->Text. Alternatively by using the buttons on the Format toolbar. The adjustments will only affect the currently selected stencil.

Selecting Several Stencils

There are two ways to select multiple stencils in Kivio.

1. Click once inside the first stencil you wish to select. Hold down shift as you click inside subsequent stencils. All the stencils will be shown with handles around them. 2. Move the mouse pointer to a blank area of the document near the stencils you want to select. Hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse to the other side of the stencils you want to select, drawing a square around them. The square must completely emcompass the stencils for them to be selected.

Adjusting the Fill Color and Line Color

Stencils can be filled with a solid color and the color of the outline can be changed. Select a stencil then select Format->Stencils and Connectors.

There is also a Set Background Color button on the Format toolbar. Clicking on the arrow to the right-hand side of this button will produce a drop-down color selector, clicking on the button itself will display a color palette allowing you to choose any color. A similar toolbar button exists to adjust the line color.

Adjusting the Line Thickness

The width of a stencil's border can be adjusted by selecting Format->Stencils and Connectors or by using the Line Thickness spinbox on the Format toolbar. The line width can be entered in millimeters or increased/decreased using the arrows next to the text box.

Connecting Shapes Together

Kivio's connector tool allows lines to be drawn between shapes. The lines remain connected to the shapes even when the shapes are moved to new positions on the page.

The Connector tool is available from the Tools toolbar, by default shown on the left-hand side of the window. Click on this tool to begin using it, the mouse pointer will change shape.

Notice that all stencils have little blue crosses around their edges. These crosses mark points where connectors can be attached.

To connect two stencils move to one of the connection points on the first stencil, hold down the left mouse button and drag a line to one of the connection points on the second stencil. The green square at the end of the line will change to red when it is over a connection point indicating that the line is attached to a stencil.

When you have finished using the connector tool click on the Arrow tool to regain normal selection functionality.

Note

A stencil can have multiple connectors attached to it, even at the same connection point.

Various properties of the connector can be adjusted including line thickness and color, this is done in the same way as for stencils.

Connectors may also be labelled with text. To add text to a connector simply double click on it and enter the text In the dialog that appears. The text will be shown with a green handle next to it. Use this to modify the position of the text.

Arrowheads can be added to either end of a connector. Select the connector and then select Format->Arrowheads.

Limitations: Connectors do not currently reroute around stencils, you need to adjust them manually. Text is always displayed horizontally; rotated text is not currently possible.

Grouping Stencils

Several stencils may be semi-permanently grouped together. Once this has been done any changes made to one stencil will affect the others in the group.

To make a group select the stencils and select Edit->Group Selected Stencils.

The procedure can be reversed by selecting a group of stencils and select Edit->Ungroup Selected Stencils.

Overlaying Stencils

Stencils can be positioned on top of one another, a stencil drawn on-top of another stencil will obscure the stencil underneath it. To adjust the drawing order select one of the stencils and select either Edit->Bring to Front or Edit->Send to Back.

Send to Back will cause the stencil to be obscured by any stencil which overlaps. Bring to Front will cause the stencil to obscure any stencil which overlaps it.

Locking Stencils

A stencil's properties may be “locked” to prevent accidental changes. To alter a stencil's protection using the Protection docker. This can be displayed by selecting View->Docker->Protection. Select the stencil or stencils you wish to protect and then tick the properties you want to protect on the protection docker.

The protections available are: width, height, aspect ratio, X position, Y position and deletion. Deletion prevents a stencil from being deleted from the document.

Stencil Geometry

For accurately specifying the dimensions of a stencil use the Geometry docker. To display the docker select View->Docker->Stencil Geometry Panel. The panel contains four text boxes for specifying the horziontal and vertical position of the stencil and the width and height.

Tip

Although the measurements are displayed in points it is possible to enter other units into the textbox. For example, entering 2.5cm will be convertedinto points. Millimeters (mm) and inches (in) are also accepted.

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