Add connectors between elements

A connector is a line drawn between graphic elements. A connector starts at a connection point on one graphic element and ends at a connection point on another element. Connectors are particularly useful for complex graphics like flow diagrams, industrial piping, or electrical wiring diagrams that incorporate many lines between graphic elements.

Connectors change length or orientation in response to changes to connected graphic elements during design time or run time. Graphic elements within a graphic can be moved, resized, or rotated and still maintain the connector between elements.

Connection points are the locations on a graphic element to attach a connector. A default set of eight connection points appear on the bounding rectangle around a graphic element or an embedded graphic.

You can also add custom connection points to graphic elements or embedded graphics if you want to place a connector at a different position than on a bounding rectangle.

One or more control points appear on an Angled connector based on the number of angles in the connector path. Using your mouse, you can move a control point horizontally or vertically to change the shape of a connector between the fixed connection points on both graphic elements. By default, a control point is placed at the intersection point of each right angle in a connector.

Connector lines don't maintain their horizontal and vertical orientation with 90 degree angles when placed in a graphic whose dimensions exceed 1280 by 1280 pixels. Instead, the connector will revert to a straight line between connection points.

You can also add control points to a connector if you want to change the shape of its path. For more information about adding control points to a connector, see Change the shape of a connector.