Import from MS Visio

Microsoft Visio diagrams (VSD files) can be imported and converted into TIBCO Nimbus® diagrams. Import rules govern how Microsoft Visio shapes are converted. Unknown shapes are converted to metafile images.

Note: Microsoft Visio must be installed on the PC and should not be open when attempting an import.

To import a single Microsoft Visio diagram:

1.From the File menu choose Import/Export and then Import from Visio.

2.Click Browse to select the Microsoft Visio file that you want to import.

3.In the TIBCO Nimbus Map Name box enter a name for the new map, if appropriate.

4.If you want to use a different import rules file, click Browse (adjacent to the Rules File text box).

5.Select or deselect any of the following import options:

Import custom properties as data table attachments will convert any custom properties on Visio objects into fields within a data table attachment on imported activity-type objects in TIBCO Nimbus® .

Import cost and duration values as costing values will convert the custom properties 'cost' and 'duration' on Visio objects into an activity's cost and duration values in TIBCO Nimbus® .

Import the resources property as activity resources will covert any text defined in the 'resources' custom property on Visio objects into an activity's resource in TIBCO Nimbus® .

Import as BPMN diagrams will convert all Visio objects into BPMN-style objects. Note: You must specify a BPMN style rule file that contains BPMN objects only (Nimbus® provides a style rule file for BPMN objects, which will be automatically selected when this option is selected).

Note: If you choose not to import costing values and resources, these values will be included in the data table attachment if Import custom properties as data table attachments is selected.

6.Click Convert.

To import multiple Microsoft Visio diagrams:

You can convert multiple Microsoft Visio files that are stored in a single folder.

1.	From the File menu choose Import/Export, then Import from Visio.

2.	Select the All Files in Folder tab.

3.	Click Browse to select the folder that contains the Microsoft Visio files that you want to import.

4.	If you want to use a different import rules file, click Browse to select the rules file.

5.	Click Convert.

Principles of importing a Microsoft Visio diagram

Microsoft Visio shapes are complex shapes, built from simpler shapes in a hierarchical fashion, as too are grouped Microsoft Visio objects that form a single, more complex object. Each shape in Microsoft Visio has a name as defined in the Microsoft Visio stencil libraries. When importing into TIBCO Nimbus® , these shape names define how the various shapes are imported into a TIBCO Nimbus® diagram. For example, you might specify that the Microsoft Visio Paper Tape shape is imported as a rectangular activity box, or the Office Chair and Table shape is imported as a metafile image.

The default Microsoft Visio import rules that are installed with TIBCO Nimbus® provide sufficient rules for all of the basic flowchart shapes available in Microsoft Visio. However, it is possible to define your own set of import rules if required. The default import rules convert Microsoft Visio shapes as follows:

Microsoft Visio Shape	TIBCO Nimbus® Shape
Process	Rectangle
Predefined Process	Rectangle
Data	Data
Document	Document
Decision	Decision
Sequential Data	Magnetic Disk
Stored Data	Stored Data
Internal Storage	Rectangle
Card	Manual Input
Direct Data	Direct Access Storage
Manual Input	Manual Input
Manual Operation	Manual Operation
Paper Tape	Rectangle
Display	Alternate Process
Loop Limit	Rectangle
Preparation	Preparation
Parallel Mode	Rectangle
Off-page Reference	Pentagon
Terminator	Terminator
On-page Reference	Ellipse
Property Reporting	Image/Metafile
Flowchart Shape	Rectangle
Auto-height Box	Rectangle
Control Transfer	Chevron
Dynamic Connector	Straight/Dog-leg Line
Line-curve Connector	Straight/Dog-leg line
Annotation	Image/Metafile

To edit a specific Visio rules file:

1.	From the File menu choose Import/Export, then Import from Visio.

2.	If not already selected, click Browse to specify the Visio rules file that you want to edit.

3.	Click Rules.

4.	Select the Visio shape that you want to edit and click Modify.

5.	Select the conditions for the Visio shape conversion.

Note: You can select multiple conditions to apply to the rule.

6.	Select the actions for the Visio shape conversion.

7.	In the Rule Description box you can modify the underlined values if required by clicking on them.

8.	In the Name of the rule box you can change the name of the Visio rule.

Click OK.

10.	Click Save to save the changes to the current Visio rules file or Save As to save a new Visio rules file.

To create a new Visio rule:

1.	From the File menu choose Import/Export, then Import from Visio.

2.	If not already selected, click Browse to specify the Visio rules file that you want to add a new rule to.

3.	Click Rules.

4.	Click New.

5.	Select the conditions for the Visio shape conversion.

Note: You can select multiple conditions to apply to the rule.

6.	Select the actions for the Visio shape conversion.

7.	In the Name of the rule box enter a name for the Visio rule.

Click OK.

9.	Click Save to save the changes to the current Visio rules file or Save As to save a new Visio rules file.

To delete a Visio rule:

1.	From the File menu choose Import/Export, then Import from Visio.

2.	If not already selected, click Browse to specify the Visio rules file that you want to edit.

3.	Click Rules.

4.	Select the Visio shape that you want to delete and click Remove.

5.	Click Save to save the changes to the current Visio rules file or Save As to save a new Visio rules file.

To build rules graphically:

The Graphical Rules Builder allows you to view and edit the objects used in a selected Visio diagram graphically, then save it as a new rule.

1.	From the File menu choose Import/Export, then Import from Visio.

2.	Click Browse to select the Microsoft Visio file that you want build Visio rules from.

Note: If you want to add new rules to an existing file based on the selected Visio diagram then you must select the Visio rules file.

3.	Click Rules.

4.	Click Build Rules Graphically.

Building Rules Automatically

You can create a rule set automatically, based on the object shapes in the selected Visio file, by clicking Build Automatically. New rules will be automatically created in the selected Visio rules file for all objects that are not currently defined. Note: TIBCO Nimbus® rectangle shapes are used for any Visio shapes that are not defined in the specified Visio rule file - to edit a particular rule please follow the steps outlined below.

5.	Select the Visio object that you want to create a rule from.

6.	Right-click the object and choose Create new rule.

7.	Select the conditions for the Visio shape conversion.

Note: You can select multiple conditions to apply to the rule.

8.	Select the actions for the Visio shape conversion.

9.	In the Name of the rule box, modify the name for the Visio rule if required.

10.

Click OK.

11.	Click Show Rules Editor .

12.	Click Save.

Import from Microsoft Visio