Custom Shape (Model)

The custom shape tool allows you to place an adjustable shape on a model to group together some variables in an informative way. Such annotations are common in larger Causal Loop Diagrams:

To place a custom shape on the diagram

Click on the dropdown to the right of the Text () button in the build toolbar and select the Custom Shape () tool. Once the tool is selected you can just click on it again to place another Custom Shape (or use the dropdown to change back to the Text tool).
Click the diagram to place the custom shape. An approximate circle with 4 control paints with will be placed on the diagram.
To select the shape, click inside of its boundary. The panel will be active allowing you to set the border color and style, the fill color and its opacity.
To change the shape drag one of the control points to a different location.
To add points tap the shift key will dragging a point, and additional point will be added.
To remove a point click on it (it will appear highlighted as on the right ) and press the delete key, or right click on it and select delete.
To move the shape select it and then drag any part of it other than the control points.
To delete a custom shape select it and press the delete key or right click on any part other than a control point and select delete from the menu.

Custom Shape Properties

You can specify the background color and opacity as well as the border color and style.

Opacity specifies how much of the outline and fill will show through. At the default of opacity of 1, the background is not visible at all. Use numbers close to 0 to make the shape almost invisible, and values between 0 and 1 to partially cover anything below the shape.

Background specifies the background color to use for the interior of the shape. Click on the color button to select a color.

Border Style specifies the style used in drawing the border for the custom shape. Choose either Solid or None. If you select None, the remaining settings won't matter.

Tip: When you first place a custom shape it will have a solid outline and a light gray background.

Border Thickness lets you specify how thick, in points, you want the border around the shape (or the shape itself for the two line types) to be. This has an effect only when you've selected Solid for the Style.

Border Color lets you specify the color for the outline. Click on the displayed color button to select a color. This has an effect only when you've selected Solid for the Style.

Note Custom shapes will always be drawn on below all other objects other than graphics frames the model. To place a shape over a graphics frame or another custom shape cut and paste it in the same location.

Size and Position

You can lock custom shapes, but you can only move and size them by dragging as they do not have a clear rectangle defining them.