Style connectors
The default connector style is a solid line with an arrow head at the target end.
Select a connector, then use the options and advanced properties in the Style tab, or the connector style tools in the toolbar to change the connector's appearance.
Tip: Copy and paste connector styles using the two buttons in the Style tab of the format panel - Copy Style and Paste Style.
Line style - Styles the 'corners' where a connector changes direction. Choose between sharp (default), rounded, or curved.
The labels of a curved connector sit on the curve. This applies to the curved line style and the curved waypoints.
Note: Connectors that were curved before keep their label positions. To move their labels onto the curve, select rounded as the Line style, then select curved again.
Colour - Change the colour of the connector and its 'arrow' heads with the colour palette. The default is black. Some Connection styles (below) can be filled and use gradients.
Connection - Turn the default single line into a double line with no arrows (link) or customisable arrow shapes, or a filled line, pipe or wire (dotted line over a solid line). The simple arrow is a straight connection between the two shapes with no waypoints. The tapered arrow narrows from its source to its target. Set the start and end widths in Arrange > Arrow or drag its two yellow width handles. The tapered arrow heads will automatically resize to be wider than the line. Alternatively, use the Connection menu to change the connection type in the toolbar, or via in the floating toolbar when you select a connector.
Pattern - Change the default solid line's pattern to various dashed or dotted patterns or set your own pattern with custom.
Thickness - Change the thickness of the connector line. The default is 1pt.
Waypoints - Set predefined connector waypoints to change the path of the connector between two shapes. Choose between the default straight (no waypoints), orthogonal (with right-angled bends), horizontal or vertical for tree diagrams, two isometric variants, curved,entity relation. Choose Auto-route around shapes to automatically re-path the connector around shapes.
Source and target 'arrow' heads - Select a connector head from the very large drop down list. There are many different types of arrow heads, as well as symbols for UML and technical diagrams. Choose None for just a plain line. Alternatively, use the arrow head style in the connector tool that will appear when you select a connector for a more condensed arrow picker.
Line end and Line start - Set the Size of the arrow head or symbol, and its Offset from the shape outline. A negative Offset will position the end of the connector inside the shape outline.
Line jumps - Choose how overlapping connectors should be displayed. Choose between the default overlapped (none), with an arc, a gap or a sharp bend
Opacity - Change the Opacity value to allow shapes underneath the selected connector show through.
Shadow and Sketch - Add a Shadow to your connector, or make your connector look roughly hand-drawn with Sketch. As Safari cannot apply shadows to connectors, this option will be greyed out and the shadow=1 connector style property will be ignored.
Orthogonal Ends - Ensure the ends of your connectors attach at right angles to the shape boundary. This effect is not available when using orthogonal or isometric connectors. Orthogonal connectors always connect at right angles, and isometric connectors always attach using a 30 degree angle through the centre of the shape.
Flow Animation - Animate the connector to show the direction of the flow.
Follow terminals - Moves the waypoints of the connector along with the connected shapes when you move, resize or arrange them, so the connector keeps its path.
Additional connector properties
Edit the values in the property list at the bottom of the Style tab to change additional connector style options. Search for a property if you know part of its name. For example: Search for flow in the shape Property section, and change the Flow Timing to change the animation style.
Set a default connector style
Style a connector on the drawing canvas first, then click Set as Default Style in the Style tab of the format panel.
You can see if a default connector style has been set by hovering over a connector in the shape libraries.
Set a default connector style for a specific shape
Specify that a source shape can have a different default connection style than the global default.
- Select a connector that is attached to a shape (source).
- Click Use for New Connections from Source in the Style tab of the format panel or in the right-click menu.
New connectors that you draw from the source shape of the selected connector will use this style from now on. To remove the default connector style from that shape, select the shape and choose Clear Style for New Connections.
Manually edit a connector's style
Use key=value pairs to define the connector (edge) style in the diagram editor configuration.
- Right click on a connector, then select Edit Style.
- Edit the style definition, then click Apply to save your changes.
