Moving model diagram elements around

You will inevitably want to change the layout of the elements in your model diagram. For the elements you have placed on the diagram yourself, such as compartments and variables, you will find that at some stage you need to move them around, to make the diagram neater, easier to understand, etc. For some elements, such as the route taken by arrows and the placement of labels, you will want to arrange them to suit yourself: perhaps an influence arrow goes behind a compartment, or two labels run together.

The basic steps are:

1. Select the pointer tool if not already selected.
2. Move the mouse to the element you wish to move.
3. Click to select the element.
4. Drag the element to the new position.

For node-type elements, the effect is pretty obvious. But note that:

• All arrows are sticky, so that moving any node-type element causes all the arrows associated with it to move around, according to the built-in arrow pathway algorithm.

• Nodes cannot be moved into space occupied by other nodes. However, if you keep on dragging past an obstruction, then the element you are moving will leap into position as soon as there is sufficient free space.

Special considerations apply to the following elements:

• Moving labels
• Moving flow valve symbols
• Moving influence arrows
• Moving role arrows
• Moving and re-sizing submodels
• Moving groups of elements

In: Contents >> Working with model diagrams