How to Tidy-Up Diagrams with Sweeper and Magnet?

When you need to insert/ remove a diagram element between two diagram elements, you may find it annoying and time-consuming to move model elements one by one and to keep the layout neatly.

February 19, 2016
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Compatible: Enterprise, Professional, Standard, Modeler

With the sweeper and magnet tools, you can increase or narrow the space between diagram elements. Furthermore, you can easily insert or remove diagram elements while maintaining the layout.

Preparation

This tutorial will show you how to use the sweeper and magnet tools to adjust diagram spacing and layout.

Creating Space Using the Sweeper

  1. Create a new project. You can create a project by selecting Project > New... from the application toolbar.
  2. In the New Project window, enter Tutorial as the project name and click Create Blank Project.
  3. Create a business process diagram. Select Diagram > New from the application toolbar. Select Business Process Diagram in the New Diagram window and click Next. Click OK to confirm creation.
    New business process diagram
  4. Draw a simple diagram like this:
    Simple business process diagram
  5. Now, let's add shapes in between the two tasks by using the Sweeper. Select the Sweeper tool from the diagram toolbar.
    Select sweeper tool
  6. Click the space between the two tasks.
    Click on diagram
  7. Hold the mouse button and drag to the right to create more space.
    Drag on diagram
  8. Release the mouse button to complete the action.
    Sweeper applied

Adding Shapes in the Created Space

Now, you have enough room to create shapes. To edit the existing flow by introducing new shapes, you can delete the flow and redraw it with the new shapes. Alternatively, you can use the split resource to split a flow with new shapes. In this section, we will show you how to use the split resource.

  1. Move the mouse pointer over the sequence flow connector to show the split resource.
    Mouse over sequence flow
  2. Click the split resource.
    Split sequence flow
  3. Select the type of shape to create. In this case, select Gateway.
    Create gateway
  4. Name the gateway Is Order Valid? and press Enter to confirm.
    Gateway created
  5. Complete the diagram by creating other shapes.
    Diagram created

Removing Space Using the Magnet

When you are finished, there may be redundant space between shapes. Use the magnet tool to remove that space.

  1. Select the Magnet tool from the diagram toolbar.
    Using magnet
  2. Click the redundant space.
  3. Hold the mouse button and drag to the left to remove the space.
    Using magnet
  4. Release the mouse button to complete the action.
    Final business process diagram

Watch This Tutorial on YouTube

Here is the video version of this tutorial.

Introducing Sweeper and Magnet