Shape Script Overview

Abstract

Shape Scripts contain a number of sections for defining different aspects of the image produced; for an element these include:

For a connector these include:

Shape Scripts work on the basis that a default pattern is maintained unless a script contains an alternative definition

 
Scripting is NOT case-sensitive: 'Shape' is the same as 'shape'.

Block Layout: Element Example

Below is a simple block example of a script for an element:

 
shape main

{

   // draw the object

}

shape label

{

     // draw a floating text label

}

decoration <identifier>

{

      // draw a 16x16 decoration inside the object

}

The <identifier> string is an alphanumeric word.

Block Layout: Connector Example

For a connector the example is:

 
shape main

{

      // draw the line

}

shape target

{

      // draw the shape at the target end

}

shape source

{

      // draw the shape at the source end

}

label <positionLabel>

{

      // define the text for the label

}

The <positionLabel> string can be any of:

Order of declaration

Shapes can consist of Attribute declarations, Command calls and Sub Shape definitions, which must appear in that order; that is, Attribute declarations must appear before all Command calls and Sub Shape definitions must appear last.

Shape Attributes

Sub-Shapes

Sub Shapes

A shape can have Sub Shapes.

Sub Shapes must be declared after the main Shape Script, but called from the Method commands.

The following is an example of the ordering for declarations:

shape main

{

 //Initialisation Attributes - these must be before drawing commands

 noshadow = "true";

 h_align = "center";

 //drawing commands (Methods)

 rectangle(0,0,100,100);

 println("foo bar");

 // call the sub-shape

 addsubshape("red",   20,  70);

 // definition of a sub-shape

 shape red

 {

         setfillcolor(200, 50, 100);

         rectangle(50,50,100,100);

 }

}

//definition of a label

shape label

{

 setOrigin("SW",0,0);

 println("Object: #NAME#");

}

//definition of a Decoration

decoration triangle

{

 // Draw a triangle for the decoration

 startpath();

 moveto(0,30);

 lineto(50,100);

 lineto(100,0);

 endpath();

 setfillcolor(153,204,255);

 fillandstrokepath();

}

Drawing Methods