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Relationships and styling

Control interaction meaning, attachments, manual routes, labels, and visual emphasis.

AAL System Design 0.2 · Dictionary 0.2.0

Model connection meaning

A relationship explains how two elements interact. Customer → Orders API is a request; an API publishing an event has a different meaning. Choose the interaction kind before styling the line.

Read a relationship

PartMeaning
IDA stable identifier for this interaction.
Source → destinationThe ordered endpoints. The gesture starts at the semantic source.
Kind and labelHow the elements communicate and what the interaction does.
request_responseOne interaction shown as two separately selectable request and response lines.
Publish / deliverOne-way event operations rather than a synchronous return path.

Endpoint attachment sides

Attachment sides control where a connection meets each box. For Customer → Orders API, you might attach the request to the customer’s right side and the API’s left side.

Change an attachment

  1. Select the connection and find its endpoint controls.
  2. Choose Left, Right, Top, or Bottom independently for source and destination.
  3. Inspect the result; adjust the route separately if needed.

Manual connector routing and labels

Routing changes the path a line follows. Use it when a connection overlaps a box or another line. Dragging its label moves only the text.

Route an orthogonal line

  1. Select one orthogonal connector. Drag a horizontal segment vertically, or a vertical segment horizontally. Only adjacent segments adjust.
  2. Double-click a segment or choose Add bend to create a detour.
  3. Focus the raised detour segment to enable Remove bend when removal is safe. Use Reset route to return to automatic routing.

Keyboard and other line styles

  • Arrow keys move orthogonal segment handles perpendicular to the segment. Escape cancels a drag. Corners stay subtly rounded.
  • Bezier lines have one shape handle. Drag it in any direction or use arrow keys to adjust the S-curve while endpoints remain fixed. Reset curve restores the automatic shape.
  • Straight lines have no routing handles until you choose another style.

Labels, groups, and saved routes

  • Drag a label along the route. Use Appearance for label backgrounds, font colors, box backgrounds, and automatic path styles.
  • Multi-selection applies supported styling to a group; reset restores defaults.
  • Save and SVG, PNG, or project export include authored routes. Presentation shows them without editing handles.
System Design connector manually routed away from its automatic center line with fixed endpoint anchors
  1. Segment handles move perpendicular to the line. Endpoints stay attached.
  2. Routing provides Add bend, Remove bend, and Reset route. Labels remain independently draggable.
  3. Attachment sides are separate from line routing; changing the route does not change these settings.

Select the screenshot to inspect it at full size.

Selected System Design S-curve with one shape handle and Reset curve in the inspector
  1. Drag the single shape handle in any direction to reshape the S-curve; endpoints remain attached.
  2. Reset curve restores the automatic shape. Curve editing never creates orthogonal bends.

Select the screenshot to inspect it at full size.