Presented below are answers to frequently asked questions and other tips on drawing networks.
Q. How can I keep the network from being inadvertently changed?
A. In the Options|Global Data|Parameters dialog screen set the "Lock Network?" field to Yes.
Q. How do I turn off the Link tool?
A. Double click when placing the second end of a link, or press ESC at any time to cancel the link currently being drawn and turn the Link tool off.
Q. Why doesn't the node get placed exactly where I click?
A. The Snap to Grid preference is turned on, so nodes will only be placed along a grid pattern with the spacing indicated by this preference. Turn this preference off before placing, if you don't want the grid pattern to be maintained.
Q. Why won't the node stay exactly where I move it?
A. The Snap to Grid preference is turned on, so nodes will only be placed along a grid pattern with the spacing indicated by this preference. Turn this preference off before moving nodes, if you don't want the grid pattern to be maintained.
Q. Why does the node move when I try to select it?
A. The Snap to Grid preference is turned on, so when you click on the node it is automatically repositioned along the grid pattern with the spacing indicated by this preference. Turn this preference off before selecting items.
Q. How can I make TRAFFIX™ draw the links automatically as I place the nodes?
A. Point to the node tool you wish to use, RIGHTCLICK, and choose Draw One-way Link or Draw Two-way Link. Then as you place each node, a link will automatically be drawn from the last node to the newest node as you place them. To make this active for all node types, press the Ctrl key while you select this option.
Q. How do I delete a node or a link?
A. Point to the item to be deleted, making sure the item is displayed in the Item Selection Line at the bottom of the screen. Then do CTRL-SHIFT-LEFTCLICK and a deletion dialog box will appear. For two-way links, both of the directional links can be deleted in one operation by selecting Delete All from the deletion dialog box.
Q. Why can't I get a link to connect to a specific side of a node box?
A. At zoomed-out scales (where one-way link pairs between nodes appear as single two-way links), it is not possible to force links to connect to a specific side of a node; however, at zoomed-in scales (where individual one-way links become visible), links can readily be connected or moved to specific sides of nodes.
Q. How do I move a link?
A. Zoom in on the link to be moved until individual one-way links are visible. Choose the Link tool and point at the end of the link to be moved until a small square appears on the link near its end. Then CLICK and DRAG the end of the link to its new connection point near the mid-point on the side of a node. When the small square reappears on the side of the node, release the CLICK and the link will be connected.
Q. I only have one or two nodes in my database. Why do they appear so large on the screen when I open the database?
A. The Show All Database On Open preference is turned on, so when you open the database TRAFFIX™ automatically zooms the network to fill the screen. If you don't want this, simply turn this preference off.
Q. How can I change the coordinates of an entire network?
A. This can be done by moving the entire network to a new position within the drawing space as follows:
Choose Edit|Select All;
While holding the Shift key, click on any selected object (all items will then be outlined) and drag the entire network to the new location (observe coordinates at lower right corner of screen);
Release.
(Use the same procedure to move only a portion of the network, except only select the objects to be moved.)