Managing the grid and rulers

In UML visualization, you can use a grid in diagrams to snap diagram elements to the grid. You can also use rulers and guidelines.

The diagram editor supports a grid that you can adjust to provide a coordinate system. The grid can affect connectors that have bend points and determines the results of the commands that you use to arrange and align diagram elements.

With the snap-to-grid feature enabled, you can move existing diagram elements in increments based on the grid size. When you move existing diagram elements or add new ones to the diagram, the top-left corner of the shapes snap into alignment with the grid. However, enabling the snap-to-grid feature does not cause existing diagram elements to move into alignment with the grid, unless you move them after.

When you turn on the rulers, the guidelines turn on simultaneously. You can drag the vertical and horizontal guidelines, which are anchored at the upper-left corner of the diagram editor, onto diagrams and then line up diagram elements to the guidelines.

Customizing default settings for the grid and rulers in new diagrams
In UML visualization, you can customize default settings for the grid and rulers in new diagrams.

Showing the grid
In UML visualization, you can show the grid in diagrams.

Hiding the grid
In UML visualization, you can hide the grid in diagrams.

Snapping diagram elements to the grid
In UML visualization, you can snap diagram elements to the grid in diagrams.

Showing rulers
In UML visualization, you can show rulers in the diagram editor.

Hiding rulers
In UML visualization, you can hide rulers in the diagram editor.

 

Parent topic

Managing diagrams

 

Related tasks

Customizing default settings for diagrams
Creating UML diagrams
Linking diagrams
Managing diagram files
Selecting diagram elements
Selecting a group of diagram elements
Changing zoom levels of diagrams
Adding text to diagrams
Adding notes to diagrams
Managing page breaks
Saving diagrams as image files
Printing diagrams