Objects

There are the following object types in ConceptDraw: figures, connectors, groups, pictures and OLE objects(Win).

Figure is the main type of object. Figures consist of elementary segments. There are four types of segments: LineTo, SectorTo, ArcTo, SplineTo.

Connected segments form a solid path called Geometry. If the beginning of the first segment coincides with the end of the last one, the geometry becomes closed and is filled by default.

A figure may contain several geometries, so it may look like a group of several objects. But unlike the objects within a group, all geometries that form a figure always have same properties (line style, fill color, etc.). A group of objects may include objects that have different line styles, different fill colors, etc.

ConceptDraw also lets you create and work with special objects, such as connectors, pictures, and OLE objects. Connectors can be created by means of the program, pictures and OLE objects are imported from other programs or files.

Connector: Connects two objects together. Its distinguishing feature is that the connection maintains even if objects are repositioned, resized, etc.

There are two methods for connecting: to the entire object, or to a connection point of an object. See Connectors for more detailed information.

Group:
A group is composed of two or more objects. You can work with a group like you work with a single object. If needed, you can edit the objects that form a group. For advanced editing options, you can open the Edit group window. For simpler editing, like modifying the object text, color and some other properties you just have to select the object within a group. See Grouping Objects for details.

Picture:
The following image formats are supported: raster formats (Windows bitmap - bmp, JPEG - jpg), and vector formats (Windows metafile - wmf, enhanced metafile - emf, MacOS picture - pct). Objects of this type allow for limited editing only (rotating, resizing, etc.).
See Pictures for more information.

OLE Object:
ConceptDraw supports Object Linking and Embedding capabilities (is an OLE-compatible program). This feature allows you to insert into ConceptDraw objects, created in other programs. In ConceptDraw, OLE-objects can be resized, but for full editing the application in which the object was created should be used.
You can find out more in the Working with other programs (OLE) section.