* Diagram 'Options'

[stewart60]

I have been experimenting with the diagram options and, at some stage, have clearly saved a setting which is now causing a behaviour which I need to rectify.
In the diagrams window, the pointer tool immediately changes to a small white cross when entering the box and I am then able to draw a dotted line from any fixed point within the box and extend it to a position outside that area.
I've tried to recall my steps but I can't find out how to stop this!
Thank you,
Stewart

[BobWard]

That may be a default condition. When I create a diagram and first put my mouse cursor into one of the boxes and hold the left mouse button, I get the same thing, I.e., the small cross that creates a dotted line when the mouse cursor is extended beyond the box boundary. As you probably noticed, if you go outside any of the boxes and hold down the left mouse button, you will create a dotted box.

Just go to the top menu and click the "Grabber" icon, then go back into the diagram and you can now move the diagram around without creating any dotted lines.

[LornaCraig]

Yes, this is perfectly standard behaviour and is a quick way of adding new individuals to a tree. Depending on the type of diagram, a dotted outline of a new box will appear at the end of the dotted line. (If it's a Descendants diagram you can't create an Ancestor box and vice versa, but in an All Relatives diagram you can create ancestors, descendants or spouses). As you will see, when you release the mouse after the doted line and dotted box have appeared you are offered the choice of adding a new individual (son/daughter/spouse/parent, as appropriate) or linking to an existing individual. I use this 'drag and drop' method of creating the tree all the time, as I prefer to work with the visual layout and hardly ever use the Focus Window.

As Bob says, if you click the grabber icon (the pointing hand icon) in the toolbar you will be able to use the mouse to scroll the diagram instead.

[stewart60]

Thank you Bob and Lorna for you clear explanations.
I have played around with the options in recent weeks and I really thought that I had changed the functioning.
However ,I cannot remember the action you describe as being the default action but clearly it must have been.
Is it at all possible to stop it functioning in this way? - I am merely guessing that I have inadvertently changed something in the past.
I just wish that I could remember how I think it should behave!
Thanks again

[LornaCraig]

This is not the result of any change you have made, and I don't think you prevent this being the default behaviour . It reverts to this behaviour when you first open a diagram, even if you already have another diagram open with the grabber icon enabled.

If you search the Help files for "Add Relatives by Click-and-Drag in Diagrams" (including the quotes) you will find the behaviour explained.