Layer

If you have ever experienced how hard it is to deal with a number of shapes, try the application of multi-layers. VP-UML supports multi-layers to help you manage different shapes efficiently. The functions of layer assist you in assigning different shapes into different layers, hiding unnecessary shapes, locking shapes and selecting shapes in shortcut. 

Creating a layer

1. Right click on the diagram background and select Layers... from the pop-up menu.
   

   Select Layers... from the pop-up menu

2. In Diagram Layers dialog box, click Create new layer button to create a new layer.
   

   Create a new layer in Diagram Layers dialog box

3. Finally, define the name for the newly created layer.
   

   New layer will be an active layer

Sending shapes to a layer

The existing shapes are kept in default layer. However, both existing shapes and the newly created shapes on diagram can be sent to a new layer.

Create a new layer just like the steps of previous section. Right click on a shape and select Layers, and then select the new layer you have created.

Send the shape to a new layer

As a result, the shape you selected will be sent to the new layer.

Hiding shapes on a layer

In Diagram Layers dialog box, you can make a layer invisible on diagram. To do so, uncheck Visible of the layer.

Shapes on the layers are invisible on diagram

Locking shapes on a layer

In Diagram Layers dialog box, check Locked to make all shapes in that layer immovable and unable for editing while uncheck Locked to make them movable and editable.

Shapes on the selected layer are locked

Selecting shapes on a layer

You can also select all shapes of the selected layer. To do so, click Select shapes in selected layers button in Diagram Layers dialog box.

Shapes of the layer are selected on diagram