Software Design Center

HOW TO DRAW SHLAER-MELLOR DIAGRAMS (cont'd)

Select the straight line tool again, but this time hold down the Shift key while you do so. This will allow you to draw more than one line segment in a row without having to reselect the tool each time. Touch the cursor to the bottom of one of the arcs and draw the four line segments that will create the head of the arrow.

After you arrow is completed, select all the line segments, go to the Arrange menu, and choose to Group the lines together. In the dialog box that pops up, you can choose between joining the lines to make a new shape or simply grouping the lines. Joining the lines will allow you to set the border of the arrow, enter text, as well as fill it with colors and shading. Grouping the lines together will make it easier to stretch the arrow if you need to do so later.

If you joined the lines to make a new arrow shape, you can use the commands under the Shape menu to color the arrow. You can also flip and rotate the arrow with commands under the Arrange menu.