Visio2002: Positions of Visio Enterprise Network Tools (VENT) Shapes Are Not Retained in Your Network Diagram (319684)

SYMPTOMS

When you save a Microsoft Visio 2002 drawing that contains Visio Enterprise Network Tools (VENT) shapes as a Microsoft Visio 5.0 drawing, the position of the shapes may not be retained when you open the drawing again in Visio 2002.

For example, when you save a Visio 2002 drawing that contains device shapes that are arranged within a rack unit as a Visio 5.0 drawing, the devices may not appear in their original positions in the rack when you open the drawing again in Visio 2002. Instead, they may be displayed horizontally across the drawing page.

CAUSE

In Visio 2002, you can use the Snap & Glue feature to snap and glue device shapes into position. For example, when you arrange devices in a rack, you can snap the shapes into the exact position that you want, and then use the glue feature to attach and reposition shapes to connection points. This feature is not available in Visio 5.0, and as a result, the positions of the devices may not be retained when the drawing is reopened in Visio 2002.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use two sets of drawing files, one for each version of Visio. By doing this, you can use Visio 2002 to open and work with those drawings that are saved in the current Visio 2002 format, and use Visio 5.0 to open and work with those drawings that are saved in Visio 5.0 format.

For example, for each drawing that you want to view in Visio 2002 and Visio 5.0, save a version of the drawing as a Visio 5.0 drawing. To do this, follow these steps:

Start Visio 2002, and then open the original drawing that is saved in the current format (*.vsd).
Click Save As on the File menu.
In the Save as type list, click Visio 5 drawing (*.vsd), specify a name and location in which to save the file, and then click Save.

NOTE: Make sure that you give the file a descriptive name so that you can distinguish between the Visio 5.0 and Visio 2002 versions of the drawing.

There are now two versions of the same drawing. Use Visio 5.0 to view and work with the drawing that you saved in Visio 5.0 format, and use Visio 2002 to view and work with the original drawing that is saved in the current format.

MORE INFORMATION

VENT shapes are manufacturer-specific network shapes that you can add to your network diagrams to create detailed representations of your network infrastructure. When you connect to the Visio Network Center, you have access to thousands of network shapes. You can download the latest network equipment shapes, or make a request for specific network device shapes that you need for an exact match with the equipment on your network.

For more information about VENT shapes and Microsoft Visio Network Center, browse to the following Microsoft Web site:

http://netc.members.microsoft.com

For additional information about Visio, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

281273 Visio: Online Resources for Books, Training, Tips, Updates, Development, Solution Providers, and Support