Abstract: Generating a child timeline on a drawing sheet of a diagramming program such that the child timeline is dynamically linked to a parent timeline. An automated method allows for the automatic placing of information on the child timeline that was on the parent timeline when the child timeline is created. Parent and child timelines can be modified and a child timeline can be automatically updated when changes are made to the parent timeline and these changes affect the time interval corresponding to the child timeline.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium are provided for generating graphics having a finite number of dynamically sized and positioned shapes. According to the method, a relative size and position are defined for each of the shapes in a graphic. The relative size and position of the shapes may be defined relative to a canvas size or relative to other shapes. Once the size and position have been defined, the size and position are translated into size and position values expressed as relative to a canvas size. A mapping is also created between specific locations in a data set and the shapes. The graphic is generated utilizing the mapping and by sizing and positioning the shapes relative to the current canvas size. If a new canvas size is detected, the size and position of the shapes may be recomputed relative to the new canvas size. The graphic may also be utilized within a dynamic graphic.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium are provided for fitting text to shapes within a graphic. According to the method, initial constraints are defined that comprise initial values describing how a shape and text within the shape should be laid out. Constraint rules are also defined for use in modifying the initial constraints when application of the initial constraints to the text in a shape results in the text overflowing the boundaries of the shape. A change may be detected to the graphic that would affect the size or position of one or more of the shapes or the text within one of the shapes. If such a change causes text to overflow when laid out using the initial constraints, the constraint rules are applied sequentially to modify the constraints. The modified constraints are then reapplied to the shapes to create a new layout for the graphic.

Abstract: Structuring graphics with placeholders may be provided. A first diagram may be displayed configured to display data associated with a data model. The first diagram may have a first diagram type. Next, a request may be received to display the data model in a second diagram configured to display the data associated with the data model. The second diagram may have a second diagram type. Then, the second diagram may be displayed configured to show the data associated with the data model.

Abstract: Generating a dynamic legend for a drawing developed by a diagramming software program. A drawing sheet module and legend module, logically-coupled to the drawing sheet module, are useful for generating and updating a dynamic legend. The legend module can support the addition of a legend to a drawing sheet. The legend module can also determine if legend symbols should be automatically added to the legend. If legend symbols are added to a drawing sheet, that addition can be automatically reflected in the dynamic legend. Symbols can be converted such that they may be reflected in a dynamic legend.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for laying out content. Constraints and rules are defined for one or more content objects. The constraints are utilized to lay out content objects on a canvas. Content is received for one of the content objects. The constraints and rules for the content object are utilized in an attempt to fit the content to the selected content object. If the content cannot be fit to the selected content object, the rules are utilized to modify the constraints for the other content objects and the layout for the canvas is regenerated. If the available content cannot be fit to the content objects on a page without overflowing, one or more additional pages are added to the canvas. Once the additional pages have been added, the content objects are laid out and content is fitted to the content objects across all of the pages.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for creating and laying out a graphic within a drawing application program. The method includes receiving a data model defining a set of data and data relationships to be represented in the graphic, receiving a graphic definition describing the mapping of the data from the data model to a set of algorithms, algorithm parameters, constraints, constraint rules, and shape properties, determining a shape size and position for the layout nodes utilizing the set of algorithms, constraints, and constraint rules from the graphic definition, and creating a list of shapes and shape properties for the graphic, including size and position. The method further includes determining if the graphic fits a given layout into a specific area based on the set of constraint values and if the graphic does not fit the specific area, then modifying the set of constraint values using the constraint rules.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for creating and laying out a graphic within a drawing application program. The method includes receiving a data model defining a set of data and data relationships to be represented in the graphic, receiving a graphic definition describing the mapping of the data from the data model to a set of algorithms, algorithm parameters, constraints, constraint rules, and shape properties, determining a shape size and position for the layout nodes utilizing the set of algorithms, constraints, and constraint rules from the graphic definition, and creating a list of shapes and shape properties for the graphic, including size and position. The method further includes determining if the graphic fits a given layout into a specific area based on the set of constraint values and if the graphic does not fit the specific area, then modifying the set of constraint values using the constraint rules.

Abstract: Wrapping nodes in a drawing canvas may be provided. A plurality of nodes may be received and a location to wrap the plurality of nodes may be determined. The location may be between two consecutive nodes in the plurality of nodes. Furthermore, a direction may be determined to place a first subset of the plurality of nodes comprising at least one node in the plurality of nodes and being subsequent to the determined location. The plurality of nodes may be balanced using at least one of the following: i) placing nodes within the plurality of nodes to an end of available space within the drawing canvas; ii) placing a first predetermined number of nodes of the plurality of nodes per row; and iii) evenly spacing a second predetermined number of nodes of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: Structuring graphics with placeholders may be provided. A first diagram may be displayed configured to display data associated with a data model. The first diagram may have a first diagram type. Next, a request may be received to display the data model in a second diagram configured to display the data associated with the data model. The second diagram may have a second diagram type. Then, the second diagram may be displayed configured to show the data associated with the data model.

Abstract: Generating a dynamic legend for a drawing developed by a diagramming software program. A drawing sheet module and legend module, logically-coupled to the drawing sheet module, are useful for generating and updating a dynamic legend. The legend module can support the addition of a legend to a drawing sheet. The legend module can also determine if legend symbols should be automatically added to the legend. If legend symbols are added to a drawing sheet, that addition can be automatically reflected in the dynamic legend. Symbols can be converted such that they may be reflected in a dynamic legend.