Using links in Diagrams

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Shapes (free form and components) and Connectors (free form or connections) within diagrams can be linked to your existing architectural representations in ABACUS, as well as external files/folders and URLs. These links can then be managed (created, modified and deleted) via the ABACUS toolset. This feature can be used to enhance the navigation and overall understanding of your architecture diagrammatically.

To add links to your diagram

1.Ensure that you have an existing diagram open.

2.Select the relevant shape or connector from your diagram.

3.Right-click on the shape or connector.

4.Select Open Links and a Links window appears.

5.Click on the Add icon and a New Link window appears.

6.Select the relevant Catalogue | Matrix | Diagram | 3D View | Chart radio buttons, then select the relevant catalogue, matrix, diagram, 3D or chart view in the project from the Link To drop-down menu.

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6.Select the Website radio button then, enter the relevant URL (e.g. www.avolutionsoftware.com) in the field to link to a web page. Any spaces should be entered with a '%20'.

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6.Select the Absolute File | Relative File radio buttons, then click on the '...' button to browse for an external file to link to your diagram.

7.Click OK and the new link will be shown in the Links window. Note: The Links window can be resized to see the full name if necessary.

8.Repeat steps 5-7 to create more links.

9.To follow the created link, select the relevant link displayed in the Links window and click Open Link.

Note

When multiple annotations are being shown for a shape or connector the link is shown on the first annotation in list of annotations in the Edit Annotations dialog.

To follow links from your diagram

1.Ensure that you have an existing diagram open.

2.Select the relevant shape or connector from your diagram.

3.Click on the relevant hyperlink (blue underlined component name) on a shape or connector in the diagram to open and view the first link from the shape or connector. Note: The cursor should change to a 'hand' when the link is ready to be clicked.

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3.Select the relevant shape or connector from your diagram.

4.Right-click on the shape or connector.

5.Select Open Links and the Links window appears.

6.Select the relevant link that you would like to view.

7.Click on the Open Link button to open and view the relevant link.

To delete links in your diagram

1.Ensure that you have an existing diagram open.

2.Select the relevant shape or connector from your diagram.

3.Right-click on the shape or connector.

4.Select Open Links and the Links window appears.

5.Select the relevant link that needs to be deleted.

6.Click on the Delete button. and the link is removed from the Links window.

Organising links in your diagram

You can choose which linked diagram, external file, or web URL is displayed when a shape label is Ctrl + clicked in the diagram.

1.Ensure that you have an existing diagram open.

2.Select the relevant shape or connector from your diagram.

3.Right-click on the shape or connector.

4.Select Open Links and the Links window appears.

5.To modify the order of the links click on the Move Up | Move Down buttons on the right hand side of the Links window.

6.The first link that appears on the left hand side of the Links window is the link that displays when you Ctrl + Click a hyperlinked shape or connector name.