Flowchart Templates - SmartSketch - Help

SmartSketch Help

Language
English
Product
SmartSketch
Search by Category
Help
SmartSketch Version
9.0(2015)

You use these templates to produce flowcharts and diagrams.

  • Imperial Template - This template has imperial units in decimal inches, ANSI sheet sizes, ANSI dimensioning and Arial text.

  • Metric Template—This template has metric units in millimeters, ISO sheet sizes, ISO dimensioning, and Arial text.

Flowchart, Audit, Dataflow, and TQM symbols are available in the Symbol Explorer for these templates. The Schematic toolbar containing tools to create flowcharts and diagrams appears on the left of the drawing window.

Setting Up a Flowchart

You can create flowcharts and diagrams with Maintain Relationships set on or off.

  1. Set up the sheet.

  2. Select an appropriate sheet size and scale that allows enough paper space to draw. The default scale is 1:1.

  3. Prepare to draw.

    • Set the drawing aids to your preferences using the SmartSketch Settings, Grid Display, and Grid Snap.

    • For more grid options, click the View tab after you click Options on the Tools menu to set the grid style to either dynamic or static, and set the static grid to the preferred grid spacing.

    • These settings provide visual feedback to you to improve the workflow while you draw. To create clean diagrams, use Grid Snap with a static grid displayed.

  4. Placing symbols and connectors on a static grid produces high quality results.

  5. You can set grid display and snap by right clicking.

Drawing a Simple Flowchart and Diagram

  1. Drag symbols from the Symbol Explorer.

  2. Use Connector to connect symbols.

  3. Double-click each symbol to add text.

Drawing an Optimal Flowchart and Diagram

  1. Place flowchart and diagram symbols by dragging from the Symbol Explorer.

    • While dragging a symbol for placement, use the left/right arrow keys on the keyboard to rotate the symbol dynamically before placement.

    • Use the up/down arrow keys to select different drag points on the symbol before placement. If you press Alt during symbol placement, the alignment indicators are temporarily disabled, allowing symbol placement with grid snap or visual alignment.

    • You can use two methods to place multiple copies of the same symbol:

      • Holding down the right mouse button, drag the symbol into the template. When you release the right mouse button to place the symbol, you are prompted with two options. Click Stamp Here, and use the left mouse button to place multiple copies of the symbol.

      • Press Ctrl as you drag in a symbol with the left mouse button. Place the first instance of the symbol while holding down Ctrl. Once you have placed the first symbol, you can release Ctrl and use the left mouse button to place multiple copies of the symbol.

  2. Connect the symbols by using Connector.

    • When drawing connectors, set the clearance using Clearance. Type the minimum distance from the symbols that you would like the first turn in the connectors to occur. This action allows you to control the visual consistency of connectors that make right-angle turns just before they attach to a symbol.

    • When you draw a connector to a symbol, approach the symbol from the direction you want the connector placed. As the pointer intent zone nears the symbol, suggested targets for the connector appear.

    • The connector end point can be located on a target or any other symbol geometry. If you press Alt while drawing a connector, the diagonal drawing mode will be temporarily activated, allowing the connector to be drawn at any angle with or without grid snap.

  3. Double-click symbols to place text in the center of the symbols.

    • The active text settings in the file are used. To highlight existing text for properties editing or moving, pause the pointer over text until the QuickPick indicator appears.

    • Then click and select the numbered box that represents the text. Right-click on the highlighted text to edit properties. To move the highlighted text, click the green lock to unlock.

    • Then with the pointer drag the text to a new position. Note that text is entered in paper units regardless of the sheet scale.

  4. Finish the diagram.

    • Use color to modify the symbols and connectors to enhance the drawing. The following symbol sets are provided to aid in drawing diagrams.

Content

Description

[Product Folder]\Symbols\Diagramming \Flowchart

Flowchart, Audit, Dataflow, and TQM symbols. You can double-click these symbols to place text. These symbols also have special behaviors for enhanced placement and modification.

See Also

Drawing Connectors
Create a Template