Generate Matching Rules File

Understanding Shape Matching

Every shape in a Visio diagram that has been dropped from a stencil is said to have a Master Name corresponding to the label of the shape on the stencil.

The Master Name can be viewed from Developer > Shape Name.

For example, any instance of the Basic Flowchart Process shape has a Master called Process as can be seen below:

Some shapes have no Master. These are shapes that are formed from grouping, or that were drawn using Visio's drawing tools.

In Triaster's templates, shapes are automatically recognised and treated appropriately. In templates that Triaster did not create however, it is not possible to know what the expected behaviour of a specific shape should be, or what business object it is intended to represent.

Many shapes can be interpreted in a common sense way, for example, any shape with a Master Name of Process is almost certain to be an Activity shape corresponding to work being performed and resources being consumed/costs incurred. Similarly, any shape with Master Name of Document is likely to be a Deliverable shape, corresponding to the output of work being performed.

Some shapes are not so easy to interpret, and for this reason Triaster exposes the Matching Rules file so that matching behaviour can be customised for specific circumstances.

The file itself is an XML file, and contains explanatory comments within it.

Once the file has been edited, it can be linked to from Tools > Options > Map Maintenance and thereafter will govern the way shapes are matched.

Creating the Matching Rules File

Click on Generate Matching Rules File... and it will ask you to save the file, by default in the Documents/Process Navigator/Multi-map Root folder. This xml file contains the default set of Matching Rules and explanatory comments.

NOTE: Shapes are only matched in files that have been enabled for Triaster.