Distributing midpoints like objects?

[TheWaterbug]

I am interested in the possibility of programmatically distributing midpoints of connectors like we do with objects. Basically what this post is about, but with a solution based on scripting rather than a grid (which doesn’t work in the generic case anyway).

The question is whether midpoints are selectable as objects to be distributed. I have an ancient version of OG (5.4.4), so I can only Copy as AppleScript, but this is more a question of object structure than of language.

These 4 connectors have only the default handles that are automatically generated when a connector is connected. But whether they’re here:

or here:

they Copy as AppleScript identically:

	make new line at end of graphics with properties {point list: {{175.9608, 481.73}, {293, 536.7249}}, line type: orthogonal, stroke color: {0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000}, head type: "FilledArrow", head scale: 0.5}
	make new line at end of graphics with properties {point list: {{175.9608, 476.8676}, {293, 531.8624}}, line type: orthogonal, stroke color: {0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000}, head type: "FilledArrow", head scale: 0.5}
	make new line at end of graphics with properties {point list: {{175.9608, 491.455}, {293, 546.4498}}, line type: orthogonal, stroke color: {0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000}, head type: "FilledArrow", head scale: 0.5}
	make new line at end of graphics with properties {point list: {{175.9608, 486.5925}, {293, 541.5873}}, line type: orthogonal, stroke color: {0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000}, head type: "FilledArrow", head scale: 0.5}

The location of the default handle doesn’t appear to get saved.

Is this true in the latest OG via Save As Javascript?

If I double-click to add Midpoints, like this:

then those get copied as discrete points:

	make new line at end of graphics with properties {point list: {{175.9608, 481.73}, {248, 503}, {293, 536.7249}}, line type: orthogonal, stroke color: {0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000}, head type: "FilledArrow", head scale: 0.5}
	make new line at end of graphics with properties {point list: {{175.9608, 476.8676}, {261, 503}, {293, 531.8624}}, line type: orthogonal, stroke color: {0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000}, head type: "FilledArrow", head scale: 0.5}
	make new line at end of graphics with properties {point list: {{175.9608, 491.455}, {225, 519}, {293, 546.4498}}, line type: orthogonal, stroke color: {0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000}, head type: "FilledArrow", head scale: 0.5}
	make new line at end of graphics with properties {point list: {{175.9608, 486.5925}, {235, 514}, {293, 541.5873}}, line type: orthogonal, stroke color: {0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000}, head type: "FilledArrow", head scale: 0.5}

It seems like that would be a fairly straightforward programming exercise to distribute evenly the X or Y positions of each non-terminal point.

[GraffleGuru]

@TheWaterbug

Basically what this post is about, but with a solution based on scripting rather than a grid.

I am not responding to the scripting issues, or suggesting that you should not proceed with that.

I am clarifying the references to that post, particularly your question, and my answer. I added an entire section for Lines (probably after you read my answer yesterday, and posted this new topic). Look for the heading Answer B • Line

(which doesn’t work in the generic case anyway)

Yes, it is generic. I do not understand how a higher level standard (higher than the objects and lines) is not generic, or how it does not serve the “generic case”.

• Certainly, the seconds it takes to draw a line is slower than a scripted production, as long as the lines do not have to be moved, which takes more seconds, and nullifies the value of the script.

• Your third diagram Added Midpoints doesn’t look very good (scripted or not). The Lines are not evenly spaced. Only a Grid can accomplish that.

• If you do use a script, it must have knowledge of the Grid, and perform its “Even spacing” on GridPoints, not on points relative to the StartOfLine.

The question is whether midpoints are selectable as objects to be distributed.

Yes,

• MidPoints are selectable, same as objects.

• MidPoints are placeable on GridPoints and GridLines, same as Objects. MidPoints SnapToGrid

• And if for some reason a MidPoint is off the Grid (sorry) you can correct it with AlignToGrid.

Please read my detailed answer.

I have an ancient version of OG (5.4.4)

Hah! That is what I use every day, day in and day out. It may be ancient, but it is far less problematic than OG 6 or 7.

Cheers

[TheWaterbug]

Have things improved on this front with OG 7.12.1? I recently upgraded from 5.4, and I’m curious to see whether there is an programmatic way to distribute connecting lines without using a grid.

Yes, I know a grid the solution in some cases, but it is not the solution in my case.

I want to know if there is a way to distribute the handles and/or midpoints. I did a Copy as Javascript and I still don’t see that the default handle coordinates are getting copied.

Thanks!