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Custom Properties
In ConceptDraw you can create custom properties for shapes. That is, a shape can act as a visual database field that stores data you can retrieve in a report. For instance, a computer shape in a network diagram can store data about the cost, model, inventory number, system configuration and other.
You can set the program to ask for desired parameters when you insert a library shape in the document. For instance, when you are adding a computer shape from a library, ConceptDraw may ask you to specify its configuration, manufacturer or cost.
Custom properties data can be used in calculations in ConceptDraw Basic scripts. This is useful for creating automatic reports based on your drawings.
To assign or modify custom properties, choose Custom Properties from the Format menu, or from the shape's context menu. If the shape has no custom properties, the program will bring up the Define Custom Properties dialog, where you can create them. Otherwise, the Custom Properties dialog will come up, where you can edit existing properties.
In the open Custom Properties dialog use the Define button to set a new custom property.
Here is a simple example of how to use shape's custom properties:
For instance, let the program request to assign shape's text each time the shape is copied.
Create a new document (from the File / New Document menu), then on the Drawing Tools toolbar select the Rectangle tool , and draw a rectangle. This is the shape we are going to work with.
Then from the Format menu select Custom Properties.
A message will come up, asking if you wish to create a new custom property.
After you confirm it, the Define Custom Properties dialog will open, where you can define one property at a time. In the Label field you can enter a name for the property (for instance, "Shape's Text"). Choose String in the Type field. In the Value field enter the text you wish to assign to the shape. Enable the Verify option so that the Custom Property window come up every time you copy the shape or drag it from the library. Click OK.
The Custom Properties dialog will appear. In the Shape Text field you can modify the text you have assigned. Click OK.
Now you need to make the shape's text dependant on the custom properties value. This can be done in the shape's parameter table. Select the rectangle you've created and press F3 (or choose Show Table from the Shape menu. The shape parameter table will open in a separate window. Now you need to insert a section in the table, that controls the shape's text. Choose Insert Section from the Edit menu. The Insert Table Sections dialog will come up. In the dialog, check the Text option. Click OK.
The TextField section will be added to the parameter table. In the TheText field of the TextField section enter the following formula:
=CustomProp.Value1
Now close the parameter table window.
Copy the rectangle by dragging it with the mouse with the Ctrl (Win) or Option (Mac) key held down. For each copy the Custom Properties window will appear. You can change the custom property text in that window. After you click OK, this text will be assigned to the rectangle and will show up in the drawing.
Custom properties are useful for creating library shapes. When you drop a shape with custom properties on a document, you can specify additional parameters for it.
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