Relational Canvases

Create and open a Canvas

Open Scopes, select a Scope, and open Representations. Choose New Canvas to add a representation of that Scope.

Multiple Canvases can represent the same Scope with different positions, connector routes, and viewports. The Canvas header returns to its parent Scope and lets you switch between that Scope’s other Canvases.

Adding a node to Canvas also adds it to the Scope. Removing it from Canvas keeps it in the Scope. To remove Scope membership, return to the Scope’s Nodes tab. After confirmation, the node is removed from every Canvas representing that Scope. The project node and its data remain intact.

Move around Canvas

Use the toolbar at the bottom and controls on the right:

• Select (V) selects and moves items.
• Hand (H) pans the canvas. Hold Space for temporary panning.
• Toggle the grid with G or the grid control.
• Toggle element labels, selection highlighting, zoom, or reset the view from the right rail.

Drag empty space with Select to marquee-select. Hold Shift while selecting to add to the current selection. Arrow keys nudge selected nodes; Shift plus an arrow uses a larger step.

Selection highlighting keeps the selected node and its connections prominent by dimming unrelated items. Turn it off from the right rail or the empty-canvas context menu when you need the whole layout at full contrast.

Place a node

1. Choose Add node to canvas, then click a position.
2. Search for an existing project node, or continue to create one.
3. If creating, select or create its type, enter values, and confirm.

Drag a node or a multi-selection to arrange it. Double-click a node to open its detail page. Right-click for Open, Rename, or Remove from canvas.

Caution

Removing a node—or pressing Delete with nodes selected—only removes its Canvas placement. It remains in Scope, and the graph node and its data remain available elsewhere.

Connect nodes

1. Choose Connect nodes.
2. Select the source node.
3. Optionally click empty canvas positions to add route points.
4. Select a different target node.
5. Choose or create an edge type, fill its properties, and choose Connect.

Select a connector to edit it. Double-click the path to add a waypoint, drag a waypoint or the edge label, and double-click a waypoint to remove it. Right-click a connector to open its relationship detail.

Danger

Pressing Delete or Backspace with a relationship selected deletes that edge from the project graph, not just from the layout. Undo immediately if that was not intended.

Undo and use the context menu

Use Cmd/Ctrl+Z to undo. Use Shift+Cmd/Ctrl+Z (or Ctrl+Y) to redo.

Right-click empty canvas space to add a node or connector, toggle the grid, labels, or selection highlighting, or reset the view. Layout edits and viewport position autosave.