Common Features > Other Features > Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) > Drawing Objects
Drawing Objects
How do I insert text into a diagram? 
To insert text in a diagram:
1. In the insert toolbar, click then Text.
2. Click in the diagram.
3. Type your text in the rectangle that appears. When you have entered your text, click outside the rectangle.
To change fonts:
*by means of the dialog box opened by command Format > Font.
How do I insert a title in a diagram? 
You can insert a field containing the diagram title. It is updated automatically.
To insert a title:
1. In the insert toolbar, click then click Field.
2. In the dialog box that opens, select the Title field.
• "Short title" displays only the diagram name.
• "Title" displays the diagram name preceded by that of the described object.
3. Select the desired format (case) at the right in the dialog box and click OK.
To change fonts:
*Right-click the title and select Font.
*The Insert field dialog box also enables you to insert the Date/time or the Page number.
How do I insert a background in a diagram? 
In HOPEX Windows Front-End, an image can be used as a background for your diagram:
To do this:
1. Select View > Background.
2. Indicate the Image to be displayed as background. You can use the Browse button to browse folders and find the file (MGS, MGD, BMP, DIB and WMF extensions or HOPEX shape) containing the image to be used as the background for your drawing.
*You can also select a background color.
3. Select the type of background display: On screen, In printed document, In reports (MS Word) and Web sites.
*You can remove the background without deleting it by clearing all three options.
4. Select the Position of the background: coordinates of the upper left corner (X, Y), and dimensions (Width and Height) in the drawing, by selecting values or by manually positioning the background in the view.
How do I move around quickly in a diagram? 
Is there a quick way to find an object in a diagram? 
An object in a diagram can be located graphically. This function in HOPEX Windows Front-End is useful when your entire diagram cannot be displayed on the screen.
To do this:
1. In a diagram, select Edit > Search in diagram.
2. In the dialog box that appears, double-click the object type to which the object you are searching for belongs.
3. A list of objects is displayed. Select the one you want and click Next.
The desired object is selected and appears in the center of the window.
How to change the appearance of a line? 
To modify the appearance of a line:
1. Select Colors and Borders from the pop-up menu of the line.
2. The dialog box that opens allows you to define the appearance of the line (simple, orthogonal, arc, etc.) and of its ends.
Is there a quick way to divide a link into segments or create a broken line? 
To create a joint in a line in order to segment the line, for example:
1. Select the line by clicking it, making sure not to click on a handle.
2. Position the pointer on the line and press the Ctrl key until the pointer changes to form +.
3. Holding the <Ctrl> key down, left-click and move the pointer to where you wish to segment the line.
A joint represented by a handle is added to the line.
To delete a joint (except at the two ends):
*Point on the joint and hold down the <Ctrl> key (the pointer shape changes to +) and click to delete the joint in the line.
The joint is deleted.
I can't draw a link or I can't see a link in my diagram 
This may be because you have not selected the view you need to draw or see this link. Carry out the following check:
1. In the flowchart, click .
2. In the dialog box that appears, check that all link types are correctly selected.
*If you have the same problem with other object types, check that the view corresponding to the object type is selected.
Objects that I insert into my diagram are covering other objects 
I would like to modify the default shape of messages in my diagrams. 
This is possible in HOPEX Windows Front-End. To do this, you must duplicate the standard shape and copy it in the "Mega_Usr" folder before modifying it.
To change the shape of a message:
1. In a diagram, create a message.
2. In the pop-up menu of the message, select Shapes and Details to view the name of the shape file and its location.
3. Start the shapes editor by selecting Tools > Shapes Editor from the desktop and open the default shape of the message.
4. In the File menu, select Save as and save the shape in the user folder of the environment (/Mega_Usr) keeping the same name.
5. Modify the file (for example its color).
6. Open a diagram that contains messages.
7. In the diagram Drawing menu, select Reinitialize shapes.
*It is necessary to activate this command when you have changed elements of the shape that are stored in the diagram, as is the case for color of the text.
Messages that have the default shape are automatically modified.
*You can select another shape as required by selecting Shapes and Details in the pop-up menu of the object.