SmartDraw UML Center

HOW TO DRAW UML DIAGRAMS (cont'd)

Rotating Objects
Although most software diagrams have a horizontal layout, there might be cases where you will need objects to be at an angle. Most objects have a rotating handle near their right edge. To rotate an object manually, move your cursor over the handle until it changes into a circular arrow, click down with the mouse, and rotate. When finished rotating, release the mouse to see the rotated object.

When on object is too small to have a rotator handle or you want to rotate it more precisely, select the object, go to the Design tab, and using the Rotate command, specify the exact angle of rotation within one tenth of a degree.

You can rotate straight lines, any shape, and even most imported items. However, you cannot rotate segmented lines, curves, automatic connectors, and bit maps. Objects also don't rotate when linked. To rotate a hooked element, such as the inital and final state symbols, first unhook it and reattach it only after it's been rotated.

Rotation angles are calculated clockwise from the horizontal. Use the diagram below to estimate the correct angle of rotation.