In Model Xtractor, all connectors (except the comment links) are the result of at least one shape item expansion: whenever a navigable or expandable item is dragged and dropped outside its parent shape, it usually translates into a connector (to another shape or the same shape), and the item will be delegated and linked now to the connector. Some are shared by multiple items, others automatically hide their items. Some can be bidirectional, both ways, and shared by pairs of reverse items. Connector links are also shared when the relationship is similar at both ends. All was designed for maximal sharing, consistency, visual simplicity and easy to use.
Connectors can be straight or multi-segment (i.e. a path of vertical and horizontal lines). Double-click on the line to switch its kind. Round corners allow better visualization for where the connector comes from and where it goes. When selected, they show at least two selectors, that can be dragged and moved around for manual rerouting (if multi-segment). Double-click on them to switch back to automatic routing. To generate additional intermediate selectors, drag one of them while holding Ctrl pressed. Double-click inside to get rid of them.
When last item linked to a connector is collapsed back into its parent shape, the connector is automatically deleted. When you delete a connector, all its related items are collapsed back into their parent shapes.
The following diagrams shows all kinds of connectors used by Model Xtractor, and which kind of item creates them:
In Simplified mode, many connectors get a different look and this can be used as an alternative theme, with an alternative notation. For instance, database table relationship connectors use Crow’s Foot notation, while IDEF1X notation is used by the rich theme:
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