The first step in solving a problem is to identify the problem, accurately. Most people never get past the first step. I will try to take you past it.
If you spend hours on this sort of problem, it is because you do not understand the basic principles of drawing. It has nothing to do with the drawing tool, it is not something you can expect the drawing tool to do for you.
I do not have the time to provide a tutorial, but I can give instructions. Execute the following, in the sequence given. Do not try to form conclusions about it until after you have drawn a few diagrams, that have some complexity, and that you are satisfied with.
- Use the Ruler
Use the ruler every single time. Do nothing in a diagram without reference to the ruler. That is the Grid, upon which every object must lie. This is the first of a few key items that cause the difference between a diagram that looks professional or amateur. If you think this step is a waste of time, it means that you do not care enough about drawing to learn the fundamentals, and thus you cannot draw.
- Set Canvas/Major & Minor Grid Spacing. I use 2cm major and 10 minor.
- Set the colour for Major & Minor to your fancy. I use a dull medium blue for major and light grey for minor.
- Set SnapToGrid
- You can ShowGridLines or hide it. I show it most of the time, and hide it when the diagram is close to final.
- Save this in a template, so that you do not repeat it for each diagram.
- Size all Objects to the Grid
That is easy with OG. This eliminates a host of problems, not the least of which is getting things to line up.
- Advanced point: if you use object size that is a multiple of 2 Minors, for all your objects (that you intend to line up) your objects will (a) line up perfectly when a bunch of them that are arranged vertically or horizontally, and aligned on their centres. Even the OG Magnets with match up (I seldom set custom Magnets).
Now you have the very basics of drawing. Now you can use a drawing tool affectively. Have fun.
Now for the requests.
You can’t get OG to do that automatically. If OG did that, it would have the same problems as lines that “jump around” when one or the other object is moved (refer to the numerous complaints).
But it is very simple to do, takes a fraction of a second once you get used to it (max one second until you do).
- This applies for lines that are far apart, but close to the same horizontal (or vertical) (eg, at opposite sides of the page), that should be on the same horizontal (or vertical). Failure to line up such lines is amateurish.
- For each line, double-click on the line, in order to create a MidPoint.
- That will create a little blue diamond, which behaves exactly the same way that a handle on an object does. Pick it up and move it.
- Now because (a) you have a Grid, and (b) you have Set SnapToGrid, and (c) the Grid is evenly spaced, your lines will be.
- If you want the diagram to be understood readily, always use orthogonal lines. If you must use diagonals, make them faint, and dotted or dashed, never harsh. (I don’t think I have a diagonal in my entire portfolio.)
- It is not worth fiddling with the default Line Handle, use a MidPoint.
- If you experience problems with Lines “jumping around”, you need to fix up your magnets. Again, the choice of Magnet Settings in OG, rather than custom, is much easier to use. Get to know them
I don’t think I have ever drawn lines that are close together, that are not evenly spaced.
An example of lines that are evenly spaced
You can’t get OG to do that automatically.
But it is very simple to do. A couple of fractions of a second.
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Use the Grid
In the first instance, assuming you want to maintain the Label as a Label, that is, you have stuck it on the line, it is centred, and it moves with the line. You have the Grid, and it is visible. Moving the Labels such that they line up vertically is a simple task. But I do realise it is fiddly, and not perfect. -
Use a Guide
Grab that Ruler (vertical Ruler for vertical Guide, etc) and move it to the position you want, then line up the Labels. This helps visually only, it remains fiddly. -
Advanced Method A
- To use this option, you must be willing to release the automatic behaviour of Labels on Lines (identified in [1] ).
- This is the only option if you use objects that are non-simple (all my objects are somewhat complex) as a Label, because OG allows only simple objects as labels.
- To be clear, think of this as a placed object, rather than as a Label.
- Use a Guide [2] to mark your desired line-up position.
- In the given example (OP) it would be a vertical Guide, a little to the left of the centre between Box A and Box B.
- Place each Label (or object intended as a Label) on the canvas, one Grid increment above or below the desired Line, and not on the Line itself.
- The object will be Selected. Move it into position simply by ↓ or ↑. Which will move it one Minor Grid increment.
- Fiddling eliminated.
- Advanced Method B
You need to understand Advanced Method B [3] and be able to use it without labour before you can use this.
- Treat all the Labels (or objects) that you intend to line up on the Lines, together. That is, as a group (but do not Group them)
- Place them on the canvas, in approximate positions, because you are about to treat them all together
- Select them all
- Use the Canvas/Alignment function, and Align them. In the example case, it would be Align/CentreLeft and EdgesOnGrid.
- If you had not placed them exactly an integral number of Minors apart vertically, you can do that now. Use the same tool to Space them evenly, and type in your Minor value
- the Labels (or objects) should be perfect aligned, left edges as well and vertically spaced
- Grab them (they are already a Selected collection) and move them onto the Lines
• Two clicks, a couple of keystrokes if required, and one drag
Once you have a handle on this method, you can execute it away from the lines, in an empty part of the canvas, and move them as a bloc. That permits fine spacing away from the interference of the Lines. This is demanded when objects are used, and the content of each object (as distinct from merely the edges) needs to be lined up against the others.
Enjoy.
