Connector Algorithm

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The connector (conn) algorithm lays out and routes connecting lines, arrows, and shapes between layout nodes.

Parameters

Parameter	Values	Description
srcNode	The name of the preceding or parent node.	Specifies the name of the layout node from which to start the connection. This value is optional.
dstNode	The name of the following or parent’s child node.	Specifies the name of the layout node from which to end the connection. This value is optional.
bgPts	A comma-delimited list that can include the following values: bCtr (bottom center, default) bL (bottom left) bR (bottom right) ctr (center) midL (middle left, default) midR (middle right, default) tCtr (top center, default) tL (top left) tR (top right) radial (radial)	Specifies all points on the shape at which the connector may begin. The default is bCtr, midL, midR, tCtr.
endPts	auto (automatic) bCtr (bottom center, default) bL (bottom left) bR (bottom right) ctr (center) midL (middle left, default) midR (middle right, default) tCtr (top center, default) tL (top left) tR (top right) radial (radial)	Specifies all points on the shape at which the connector may end. The default is bCtr, midL, midR, tCtr.
bendPt	beg (beginning) def (default) end (end)	Specifies the bend point.
connRout	straight (default) bend curve	Specifies whether the connector is drawn as a single straight line, orthogonal lines with a single bend, or a curve that uses the diam constraint.
begSty	arr (arrowhead) noArr (no arrowhead, default)	Specifies whether the beginning of the connector has an arrowhead.
endSty	arr (arrowhead, default) noArr (no arrowhead)	Specifies whether the end of the connector has an arrowhead.
dim	1D 2D (default) custom	Indicates that the connector should use a 1-D line or a 2-D object that has width.
alignTx	true (default) false	Specifies whether the text is aligned.
horzAlign	l (left) ctr (center, default) r (right)	Aligns all the child nodes in the space reserved for the parent node and adjusts child positions along the x-axis.
vertAlign	t (top) mid (middle, default) b (bottom)	Aligns all the child nodes in the space reserved for the parent node and adjusts child positions along the y-axis.

Constraints

Constraint	Default value	Description
w	100	Specifies the width of the bounding box for a node.
h	100	Specifies the height of the bounding box for a node.
connDist		Specifies the distance between connectors. This constraint is intended for use with operator constraints, and it overrides values specified in the layout definition part.
stemThick	h * .6	Specifies the thickness of the arrow shaft.
begMarg	3.175	As a constraint, specifies the initial beginning margin value; as a rule, specifies when the algorithm decreases the padding. It also decreases the padding when the connector bends.
endMarg	3.175	As a constraint, specifies the initial ending margin value; as a rule, specifies when the algorithm decreases the padding. It also decreases the padding when the connector bends.
begPad	connDist * .22	Specifies the distance between the edge of the destination node and the connector shape.
endPad	connDist * .25	Specifies the distance between the edge of the destination node and the connector shape.
bendDist	connDist * .5	Specifies the distance from the start of the connector to a bend in the connector.
hArH	h * 1	Specifies the height of the arrowhead portion of the connector.
wArH	h * .5	Specifies the width of the arrowhead portion of the connector.
diam	connDist * 1	Specifies the curvature of a curved connector.

See Also

Concepts

Algorithms, Parameters, and Constraints