Please note : This help page is not for the latest version of Enterprise Architect. The latest help can be found here.

Neaten Layout

The Neaten layout attempts to pull the selected elements into a grid based on their horizontal and vertical proximity to each other. That is, the layout pulls elements that are roughly aligned into a neater arrangement. Elements that share the same row or column are aligned based on the Column and Row Snap parameters. The arrangement shown for the Spring layout, when the Neaten layout is applied, might look like this:

Invoke the Neaten layout

Step

Action

See also

1

Follow the general Layout Diagrams procedure, and at step 2 select Neaten.

 Layout Diagrams

2

In the 'Threshold (px)' field type the separation, in pixels, up to which elements are considered to be in the same row or column.

A higher threshold value produces a tighter result, pulling elements that are far distant into the same row or column. A lower threshold value provides for a larger number of rows and columns.

3

In the 'Column Snap' field, click on the drop-down arrow and select the appropriate alignment for elements in the same column:

  • Left - elements are aligned with the left edge of the left-most element in the column
  • Center - elements are aligned with the vertical center of the center-most element in the column
  • Right - elements are aligned with the right edge of the right-most element in the column

4

In the 'Row Snap' field, click on the drop-down arrow and select the appropriate alignment for elements in the same row:

  • Top - elements are aligned with the top edge of the highest element in the row
  • Center - elements are aligned with the horizontal center of the center-most element in the row
  • Bottom - elements are aligned with the bottom edge of the lowest element in the column

Notes

  • To prevent elements from overlapping in the neatened layout, check that the appropriate left, right, top, bottom, vertical center or horizontal center values of the elements (as dictated by the 'Column Snap' and 'Row Snap' options you select) are greater than the value in the 'Threshold' field

Learn more