Connections

Connections are arrows that connect board items together (elements, branches, and jumpers), creating your project's flow.

ℹ️ Notes and comments are not part of the project's flow and cannot be connected.

In Play Mode, connections render as option buttons, allowing the player to progress the story by making choices. Connections can also carry labels, which render as the option buttons' text.

Sources & targets

Connections progress the story flow from a source item (arrow-tail end) to a target item (arrow-head end).

Output connections

From the perspective of the source item, a connection is an output.

Only elements and branches can have output connections. Jumpers cannot act as connection sources.

Input connections

Conversely, from the perspective of the target item, a connection is an input.

All elements, branches, and jumpers can receive input connections.

Number of connections

The following rules apply to the number of connections an item can have:

• Elements, branches, and jumpers can have unlimited input connections.
• Elements can have unlimited output connections.
• Branches can have one output connection per condition.
• Jumpers cannot have output connections.

The screenshot below demonstrates these rules.

Create connections

Creating a connection is an intuitive process: you drag from the source (element or branch) and drop onto a target (element, branch, or jumper) with your mouse.

An alternative is to use keyboard shortcuts. This reduces context switching between mouse and keyboard, helping you focus on typing.

With drag and drop

The simplest way to create a connection is by dragging and dropping:

1. Drag from the source: Depending on the connection's intended source, do the following:
   • Element: Drag from any edge.
   • Branch: Drag from one of its outputs.
2. Drop onto the target: Drop the connection's endpoint on either of the following:
   • Empty board space: A menu opens. Choose Create element here, Create jumper here, or Create branch here to create a new item, connected as the target.
   • An existing item: The item becomes the connection's target. Where you drop determines whether the connection is automatic or fixed.

With keyboard shortcuts

Create a connected element

You can also create a connection leading to a new element using keyboard shortcuts:

1. Select an element.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt/Option/Cmd + an arrow key. A new element is created in the direction of the arrow and connected to the first element.

✅ The new element is selected automatically. To edit it, press Enter and start typing.

Edit the label of the new connection

To add or edit the label of the connection you just created (and assuming your new element is currently selected) you need to first select the connection:

1. Press Ctrl/Cmd + the opposite arrow key, meaning the arrow that points back toward the first element. For example, if you pressed Right arrow to create the new element, press Left arrow to select the connection.
2. Press Enter to edit the connection's label.

Automatic and fixed connections

Each end of a connection attaches to its item through a handle, which can be automatic or fixed:

• Automatic handle:
  • Attaches to the nearest edge of the item.
  • Switches edges automatically as the source and target items move.
• Fixed handle:
  • Stays locked to a specific side of the item.
  • Does not change sides, even if the items move.

ℹ️ By default, a connection's source handle is in automatic mode.

Set the handle mode

The same gesture sets the mode whether you are creating a connection or moving an existing handle. Drag the handle and drop it:

• On the item's body: The handle becomes automatic. Before you release, the item's entire perimeter is highlighted in orange.
• On a specific edge: The handle becomes fixed. Before you release, that edge is highlighted in orange.

To switch an existing handle between modes, drag it away from its current position and drop it using the rules above.

Delete connections

You can delete a connection in any of the following three ways:

• Select it and press Delete or Backspace.
• Right-click and choose Delete selection.
• Drag either of its handles to empty board space.

Select connections

Click a connection to select it. To select multiple items, see Select board items.

Copy a connection link

With only the connection selected, right-click the connection or its label on the board and select Copy link. Opening the link takes you to the connection's area on its board in the language active when you copied it.

See Share an item or board position for access requirements.

Move connections

Each endpoint of a connection has a handle that you use to drag and drop with your mouse or trackpad.

Change source

To change a connection's source, drag the connection's source handle and drop it on a new board item.

Change target

To change a connection's target, drag its target handle and drop it on a new board item.

Change handle mode

To switch a handle between automatic and fixed, see Automatic and fixed connections.

Reorder connections

Connections render as player options in Arcweave's Play Mode. They also render in the order in which they were added to the flowchart.

To reorder an element's output connections:

1. Right-click the element on the board.
2. Select Play Mode > Quickstart Play Mode from here.
3. Once in Play Mode, press Edit content (the pencil icon in the top menu).
4. Drag an option by the grip handle on its left, or by its border, to reorder it. Changes are saved automatically.

See Reorder options for details.

Customize connections

Change color theme

To change a connection's color theme, right-click the connection and select one of the available colors from the menu.

Change type

Arcweave supports three connection types:

• Bezier (default): Smooth curve
• Straight: Straight line
• Flowchart: Right-angled line

To change the type, right-click the connection and choose from the available icons.

✅ Your last selected type becomes the default for new connections.