Visio 2003 provides several shapes, grouped into stencils, that can be used for creating different kinds of diagrams.

In This Chapter:

Introduction to Shapes

Visio provides several shapes, grouped into stencils, that can be used for creating different kinds of diagrams.

Line, Fill and Text Properties

You can change the format of the text, edit the color and thickness of the border surrounding the shape and fill the shape with a pattern and color of your choice by modifying these properties.

Adding Shapes

How to add shapes to your diagrams in Visio 2003.

Copying a Shape

Visio allows you to copy a shape that you have created on the drawing page. Once you create a shape and need the same shape for other processes or activities, you can just copy and paste the shape saving you time and effort.

Resizing a Shape

With Visio, you can resize a shape according to your needs. Resizing a shape is as simple is clicking on the little green boxes surrounding the shape and dragging it to the size you want.

Customizing a Shape

Customizing an existing shape is a multi-step process. One of the prerequisites for customizing a shape is that it must exist in a custom stencil.

Rotating Shapes

You can rotate shapes in Visio to create customized diagrams. You can rotate the shape right, left, flip it horizontal or flip it vertical till you find a position for the shape that blends in with your diagram.

Adding Text to Shapes

You can add Text to the shape to indicate what the shape is representing.