When creating a link for the first time, each possible geometry is ranked by a scoring system based on how many grids it passes through, or if it crosses over other objects or overlaps with other links, for example. The more intersections and overlaps, the higher the score. Whichever geometry receives the lowest possible score will be chosen. The default scoring system is intended to discourage intersection and overlap and favor shorter links. To modify the default scoring penalties, see Link Scoring. To disallow diagonal geometries, see the Placement Tab section of Running the Engine.

As more objects or relationships are added, once-optimized links may soon become convoluted. In these cases, the user can choose to optimize a link based on its link score. Alternatively, a geometry can be chosen manually without considering link score. Instructions for both are provided. To optimize geometries across the entire network at once, see Running The Engine.

Steps

Choosing Manually

1. With the Select Tool  chosen in the toolbar, right-click on the desired link.
2. Click Change Link to from the menu and choose a new geometry accordingly.
3. The menu will close and the link will update automatically.

Optimizing Automatically

1. With the Select Tool chosen in the toolbar, right-click on the desired link.
2. Choose Optimize Link Shape from the menu.
3. The menu will close and the link will update automatically.

Notes

Geometries

Abbreviation	Definition
V	Vertical
H	Horizontal
VH	Vertical-Horizontal
HV	Horizontal-Vertical
VHV	Vertical-Horizontal-Vertical
HVH	Horizontal-Vertical-Horizontal
VDV	Vertical-Diagonal-Vertical
HDH	Horizontal-Diagonal-Horizontal
HDV	Horizontal-Diagonal-Vertical
VDH	Vertical-Diagonal-Horizontal

 

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