I'd like to create a set of custom shapes that represent common window user elements like the Windows XP Shape stencil. Our applications have a custom look and feel. I've messed around a bit trying to rework a few of the elements and I'm struggling. I bought a book on Visio 2007 but haven't had a chance to really dig into it yet. Is this a big effort even for someone who is skilled at this? I'd like to replace our current methodology for creating design documents which is Excel or PaintShop with something more standard like Visio. This would allow more people to quickly and conistently produce screen designs. Are there consultants that do this type of work? Thanks Eric
Creating shapes is not really a difficult task, but make sure you have the right book. Most of the current crop of books deals with how to use Visio, not how to program or create shapes with Visio. "Developing Microsoft Visio Solutions" is the normal starting point. It is available from Microsoft Press and is also available online as part of MSDN http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa245244(office.10).aspx The other good source for creating shapes are these newsgroups. If you are unsure of a solution, post a question and we will point you in the right direction. Getting familiar with the shapesheet and other Visio features may seem a daunting task at first, but once you are familiar with designing shapes, you quickly see other possibilities for expanding your shapes. There are a number of us online who can help. John... Visio MVP Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm "Eric Margheim" <nospam***ericm@charter.net> wrote in message news:ugL84cnEIHA.4228@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > I'd like to create a set of custom shapes that represent common window > user elements like the Windows XP Shape stencil. Our applications have a > custom look and feel. > > I've messed around a bit trying to rework a few of the elements and I'm > struggling. I bought a book on Visio 2007 but haven't had a chance to > really dig into it yet. > > Is this a big effort even for someone who is skilled at this? I'd like > to replace our current methodology for creating design documents which is > Excel or PaintShop with something more standard like Visio. This would > allow more people to quickly and conistently produce screen designs. > > Are there consultants that do this type of work? > > Thanks > > Eric >
"John Marshall, MVP" wrote in message news:eLnVJYoEIHA.4712@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > Creating shapes is not really a difficult task, but make sure you have the > right book. Most of the current crop of books deals with how to use Visio, > not how to program or create shapes with Visio. "Developing Microsoft > Visio Solutions" is the normal starting point. It is available from > Microsoft Press and is also available online as part of MSDN > http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa245244(office.10).aspx > > The other good source for creating shapes are these newsgroups. If you are > unsure of a solution, post a question and we will point you in the right > direction. Getting familiar with the shapesheet and other Visio features > may seem a daunting task at first, but once you are familiar with > designing shapes, you quickly see other possibilities for expanding your > shapes. > > There are a number of us online who can help. > > John... Visio MVP > > Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm > Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm > Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm Thanks a bunch John. I have MSDN so I'll check out that article on Monday.
You do not need an MSDN subscription to access the information. It is available to anyone with an internet connection. John... Visio MVP Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm "Eric Margheim" <nospam***ericm@charter.net> wrote in message news:utzCzJtEIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > > "John Marshall, MVP" wrote in message > news:eLnVJYoEIHA.4712@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> Creating shapes is not really a difficult task, but make sure you have >> the right book. Most of the current crop of books deals with how to use >> Visio, not how to program or create shapes with Visio. "Developing >> Microsoft Visio Solutions" is the normal starting point. It is available >> from Microsoft Press and is also available online as part of MSDN >> http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa245244(office.10).aspx >> >> The other good source for creating shapes are these newsgroups. If you >> are unsure of a solution, post a question and we will point you in the >> right direction. Getting familiar with the shapesheet and other Visio >> features may seem a daunting task at first, but once you are familiar >> with designing shapes, you quickly see other possibilities for expanding >> your shapes. >> >> There are a number of us online who can help. >> >> John... Visio MVP >> >> Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm >> Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm >> Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm > > > Thanks a bunch John. I have MSDN so I'll check out that article on > Monday. >
"John Marshall, MVP" wrote in message news:ejEINY0EIHA.4028@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > You do not need an MSDN subscription to access the information. It is > available to anyone with an internet connection. > > John... Visio MVP LOL. After I responded I realized what you were saying.
