Connections

Connections are arrows that connect flowchart items (elements, branches, and jumpers) together.

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

Sources & targets

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

Output connections (source items)

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 (target items)

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

Regarding the number of connections an item can take, the following rules apply:

• Elements, branches, and jumpers can have unlimited input connections.
• Elements can have unlimited output connections.
• Branches can have one output connection per condition.
• Jumpers can have no output connections.

The screenshot below visually demonstrates the above rules.

Creating connections

Creating connections is an intuitive process: you drag from the source and drop into a target. There are some options, though.

Drag from the source

To create a connection, you must start from the connection's intended source. Depending on what the source is, do the following:

• Element: drag from any edge.
• Branch: drag from one of its outputs.

Drop to the target

Drop the connection's endpoint to either:

• Empty board space: You create a new item and immediatelly connect it as target. Choose Element, Branch, or Jumper from the menu.

• An existing item: The item becomes the connection's target.

When you drop a connection on an existing item, you have the two following options:

• Drop into the item's body: Create an automatic connection handle.
  Before releasing, the target's perimeter gets an orange highlight. After releasing, the connection attaches automatically to the nearest edge, switching edges depending on the source and target's relative positions.
• On a specific edge: Create a fixed connection handle.
  Before releasing, that side gets an orange highlight. After releasing, the connection locks to that side, regardless of the source and target's relative positions.

By default, a connection's source handle

Moving connections

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

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

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

Selecting connections

To select a connection, simply click on it. To select multiple connections, hold Shift or Ctrl/Cmd and δο either of the following:

• Click each connection consecutively.
• Click and drag to create a selection rectangle.

✅ You can similarly select elements, notes or jumpers.

Deleting connections

You can delete a connection in any of the 3 following ways:

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

Customizing connections

Changing a connection's color theme

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

Changing a connection's type

Arcweave supports three connection styles:

• 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.