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Connectors connecting to connectors


I am helping to design a tool that follows the Business Model Process Notation (BPMN) specifications. As such, I need to have connectors (the lines themselves) be able to connect to other connectors. Each line should be its own atomic unit, not one line that forks or merges, etc. I have no trouble assigning shapes as in the SourceDirective and TargetDirective AcceptingClasses as seen in the code snippet below:

<ConnectionBuilder Name="AFlow">
<LinkConnectDirective>
<DomainRelationshipMoniker Name="ARTIFACT_AFlow_FLOWOBJECT" />
<SourceDirectives>
<RolePlayerConnectDirective>
<AcceptingClass>
<DomainClassMoniker Name="AbstractArtifact" />
</AcceptingClass>
</RolePlayerConnectDirective>
</SourceDirectives>
<TargetDirectives>
<RolePlayerConnectDirective>
<AcceptingClass>
<DomainClassMoniker Name="AbstractFlowObject" />
</AcceptingClass>
</RolePlayerConnectDirective>
</TargetDirectives>
</LinkConnectDirective>
</ConnectionBuilder>

However if I assign a connector such as MessageFlow (which is a connector) to the AcceptingClass of the TargetDirective then I get an error that says that the diagram can not resolve the moniker "MessageFlow"

My question is, "Can a connector connect to another connector, or are Shapes the only objects that can be connected to and from?"

Thanks for any help that anyone can lend.

-Paul
RedMage44x

Hi Paul,

I'm afraid this is a limitation of our drawing surface in V1. You'd have to create some sort of fake zero-sized point shape at the potential connection point and connect one of the connectors to that. You'd then have to patch that up as the line was rerouted.

Sorry there isn't a better story for your scenario.




Gareth Jones - Developer - DSL Tools & Software Factories Platform [MSFT]
GarethJ - MSFT
Gareth,

Will using a ConnectorMoniker in the AcceptingClass get around the problem that you've mentioned?

- David
David DeWinter

(Gareth's away on hols.)

No, I'm afraid not. The problem is with the drawing surface. It just wasn't built to link connectors to connectors.

Gareth's suggestion of some sort of intermediate object is the nearest you can get.

Alan




- Alan [Microsoft]
Alan Cameron Wills
reply 4

You can use google to search for other answers

 

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