This post examines the programmability features for Containers , Lists and Callouts in Visio 2010. It supplements an earlier post that describes how these special shapes are constructed and how they can be customized. Collectively these shapes are known as Structured Diagram elements, and the part of the Visio API that manages these elements is known as the Structured Diagram API. This API enables developers to use Structured Diagram elements in their solutions. Developers can identify the relationships...

Workflow design often takes a lot of communication and collaboration. Business stakeholders may send IT professionals business flowcharts to further automate as workflows. On the flip-side, once the IT professional has implemented the workflow, he/she may want to store the workflow as a Visio diagram so that all stakeholders are clear on what is being implemented. Such diagrams can also serve as copies that can be archived for auditing purposes. Such collaboration is made easier with the workflow...

In a previous blog post about new ShapeSheet functions , we introduced a set of new functions called the Point Along Path functions. These functions allow interactions with geometry paths of shapes. This post provides more detail about these new functions. The following functions open up a broad set of shape interactions for shape and solution developers: Function/Syntax Description ANGLEALONGPATH( section , travel[,segment] ) Returns the angle of the tangent to the path at a given point. DISTTOPATH...

In previous posts we introduced you to Containers and some of their special capabilities . We also introduced Lists through their use in Cross-functional Flowchart , Data Graphic Legends and Wireframe shapes. Finally we introduced Callouts as annotations on Visio diagrams. Containers, Lists and Callouts can be used in a wide variety of diagram types. This article explains how shape designers can go beyond the built-in shapes and create their own custom content. Structured Diagrams Collectively Containers...

Diagram Validation is a new Visio 2010 feature that provides a way for users to check their diagrams for common errors and for companies to ensure that employees are following certain diagramming standards. The basics of diagram validation and creating custom validation rules have been previously discussed on this blog. In this post, we focus on the details of using the validation API to create validation rules, trigger validation, and manage validation issues. Visio provides an extensive Diagram...

Our previous post introduced the improvements we made to the ShapeSheet window for shape developers. In this post, we will continue with ShapeSheet development and dig deeper to examine the new ShapeSheet cells and functions available in Visio 2010. New Cells A number of new cells were added to both the PageSheet and the ShapeSheet to support new features in Visio 2010 and to expand the possibilities for shape development. We will examine each one in turn. New PageSheet cells in Visio 2010: Section...

In this post, we’ll be covering improvements to the ShapeSheet in Visio 2010 that make it easier for shape developers to create and modify existing Visio shapes. For those who don’t know, Visio shapes are more complex than they may seem at first; behind each shape is a ShapeSheet (you can get more details here and here if you're unfamiliar with the ShapeSheet). In Visio 2010, you can access a shape's ShapeSheet by selecting the shape in question and clicking the "Show ShapeSheet" button...

Some of you have recently noticed that your install of the Visio Viewer isn’t working – this is by design and can easily be fixed. Microsoft has recently released Security Bulletin MS09-55 through Windows Update which deactivates Visio Viewers 2002, 2003 and 2007 because of a security issue. With this fix we are retiring Visio Viewer 2002 as well as Visio Viewer 2003. To get your viewer installation back into a working state you have 2 options: If you can, we recommend that you install...

Visio has long been regarded by interaction designers and information architects as an essential tool in their work. Many software wireframes (aka software mockups) are built using Visio, and they can range from mobile software, interactive web sites, to enterprise application software. In the past, Visio included a set of Windows XP stencils for such work. For Visio 2010, we decided to refresh those stencils by providing a brand new set of Wireframe shapes that are generic and not specific to the...

Windows 7 is here, and it makes it easier to find and work with your favorite applications. This post details the work we did in Visio 2010 to take advantage of new Windows 7 features, to make working with Visio documents even easier. Multiple Documents in Visio 2010 and the new Windows 7 Taskbar The new Windows 7 taskbar presents a unified interface for launching and switching between applications and documents within them. With Windows 7 and Visio 2010, it is now easier to work with multiple Visio...