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Subject:RE: IBM syntax diagrams: how do they do it? From:"Smith, Martin" <smithmr -at- encorp -dot- com> To:"'Chris Hamilton'" <caxdj -at- earthlink -dot- net>, TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 12 Oct 1999 14:01:55 -0600
Chris Hamilton wrote, in part, ...I've gotten multiple requests to use
IBM-style syntax diagrams...Is there a quicker way, maybe an automated way
of creating this..
If you need to create many of these diagrams you may be on the right track
with Visio. Visio is an object oriented drawing package with a fully open
architecture. You may want to enlist the services of a programmer to develop
a script that can parse the commands and arguments and create the drawings
automatically. We use this technique here at ENCORP to automatically produce
diagrams that illustrate our various firmware products and ECHELON LonWorks
binding sets.
Quoting from the Visio On-Line Help...
"By taking advantage of the Visio SmartShapes® technology and open
architecture, you can create specialized shapes, develop combinations of
shapes and programs that model the real world and solve specific drawing
problems, and customize the user interface.
The following tools are available to you in the Visio Technical development
environment:
The ShapeSheet spreadsheet, which takes you under the surface of shapes to
create formulas for specific shape behavior.
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), with which you can create
macros and control Visio Technical through Automation.
The Visio Type Library, which contains Automation descriptions of the
objects, properties, methods, events, and constants that Visio Technical
exposes to Automation controllers.
The book Developing Visio Solutions, which comes with Visio Technical,
contains everything you need to know about Visio Technical as a development
platform, including sample code, tips, and techniques. In addition, you can
view the online Automation Reference by choosing Help > Automation Reference
in Visio Technical.
You can also visit the Visio Solutions Development section of the Visio
Corporation Web site (http://www.visio.com/devweb/), where you can learn
more about Visio Technical as a development platform and find other
developer resources.
