How to copy an existing shape and modify it, saving as new shape

I want to open an existing shape and modify it, and save to a new shape
(saving me a lot of time). But when I open it to edit and try to ungroup it,
I get an error that says "Shape protection and/or layer properties prevent
execution of this command." There's no protection or layer properties that I
can find.

and would you like to share with us which shape you are attempting to
change (there's a couple of them out there)?
al


jimvandamme wrote:
I want to open an existing shape and modify it, and save to a new shape
(saving me a lot of time). But when I open it to edit and try to ungroup it,
I get an error that says "Shape protection and/or layer properties prevent
execution of this command." There's no protection or layer properties that I
can find.

and would you like to share with us which shape you are attempting to
change (there's a couple of them out there)?
al

jimvandamme wrote:
I want to open an existing shape and modify it, and save to a new shape
(saving me a lot of time). But when I open it to edit and try to ungroup it,
I get an error that says "Shape protection and/or layer properties prevent
execution of this command." There's no protection or layer properties that I
can find.

On Mon, 11 May 2009 11:19:01 -0700, jimvandamme
wrote:

I want to open an existing shape and modify it, and save to a new shape
(saving me a lot of time). But when I open it to edit and try to ungroup it,
I get an error that says "Shape protection and/or layer properties prevent
execution of this command." There's no protection or layer properties that I
can find.

Don't try to ungroup the shape, many shapes will fall apart when
ungrouped.
Copy and save the shape into a new stencil, then open the new stencil
for editing, edit the new master shape and use the master explorer
window to edit the individual parts of the shape.


--
Regards, Paul Herber, Sandrila Ltd.
Electrical for Visio http://www.electrical.sandrila.co.uk/

"Paul Herber" wrote in message
ell.net...
On Mon, 11 May 2009 11:19:01 -0700, jimvandamme
wrote:

I want to open an existing shape and modify it, and save to a new shape
(saving me a lot of time). But when I open it to edit and try to ungroup
it,
I get an error that says "Shape protection and/or layer properties prevent
execution of this command." There's no protection or layer properties that
I
can find.

Don't try to ungroup the shape, many shapes will fall apart when
ungrouped.
Copy and save the shape into a new stencil, then open the new stencil
for editing, edit the new master shape and use the master explorer
window to edit the individual parts of the shape.

Regards, Paul Herber, Sandrila Ltd.
Electrical for Visio http://www.electrical.sandrila.co.uk/


Let me expand on what Paul is saying. When shapes are grouped, a new shape
is created and the component shapes are added to a shapes collection within
the new shape. At this point ungrouping can done with no ill effects. One of
the powers of grouping Visio shapes is that a lot of things can be done to
the group. The grouped shape can contain shape data(custom properties). The
component shapes can reference properties of the grouped shapes or any of
the component shapes, including shape data. When a shape is ungrouped, the
grouped shape is lost along with all the extra references to it.
So the general rule iis NOT to ungroup. You can modify a grouped shape by
using the "Open Group" command at the bottom of the Edit menu or use the
Drawing Explorer.
Note: "Open Group" may be "Open nameofshape"

John... Visio MVP