Align and distribute diagram elements

VP-UML supports two types of positioning features: alignment and distribution which allow the positioning of selected shapes in accordance with the alignment/ distribution option through the toolbar or grouping resource icons. Alignment refers to the edges and the centers of selected shapes are aligned to each other while distribution refers to selected shapes are distributed in same direction based on their centers or edges.

Aligning diagram elements

Select a few model elements with the mouse on the diagram pane before executing alignment.

Selected shapes

Through main menu

1. Select Edit > Align Shapes and then an alignment option from the main menu.
2. As a result, the alignment of all selected shapes is based on the last selected shape. Note that the last selected shape refers to the shape with no-filled selector.

   Shapes are aligned

3. For turning the non-selected shape into the last selected shape, click a shape with pressing Ctrl key.
   

   Change the last selected shape

Through grouping resource icons

1. When move the mouse over one of the selected shapes, grouping resource icons will be shown.
2. Select an alignment option from the drop-down menu of Align Top on the grouping resource icons.
   

   Select Align Left on resources

3. As a result, all selected shapes are aligned in accordance with the last selected shape.
   

   Shapes are aligned

Setting model elements same width and height

Besides aligning the shapes, shapes can also be resized through the main menu, grouping resource icons or Align Shapes Dialog.

Through main menu

Select Edit > Align Shapes and an alignment option from the main menu.

As a result, the shapes are resized.

Shapes are resized

Through grouping resources

Select an option from the drop-down menu of Same Width on grouping resource icons after select a few shapes on the diagram pane.

Resize through grouping resources

Through align shapes dialog

After select a few shapes on the diagram pane, select Edit > Align Shapes > Align Shapes... from the main menu to unfold Align Shapes Dialog. You can select an option by clicking the option button directly.

Align Shapes Dialog

Distributing diagram elements

In addition, model elements can be distributed in various directions through Distribute Shapes Dialog, the main menu or grouping resource icons.

Through Distribute Shapes Dialog

After select a few shapes on the diagram pane, select Edit > Distribute Shapes > Distribute Shapes... from the main menu to unfold Distribute Shapes Dialog. You can select an option by clicking the option button directly.

Distribute Shapes Dialog

Through main menu

Select Edit > Distribute Shapes and then select an distribution option from the main menu after select a few shapes on the diagram pane.

Through grouping resource icons

Select a distribution option from the drop-down menu of Distribute Horizontally on grouping resource icons after select a few shapes on the diagram pane.

Distribute shapes on grouping resource icons