Connector in AngularJS Diagram

18 Jan 202324 minutes to read

Connectors are objects used to create link between two points, nodes or ports to represent the relationships between them.

AngularJS Diagram Connector

Create Connector

Connector can be created by defining the start and end points. The path to be drawn can be defined with a collection of segments.
To explore the properties of a connector, refer to Connector Properties.

Add connectors through connectors collection

The sourcePoint and targetPoint properties of connector allow you to define the end points of a connector. The following code example illustrates how to add a connector through connector collection.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • <div ng-controller="diagramCtrl">
        <ej-diagram id="diagramCore" e-height="500px" e-width="700px" e-connectors="connectors">
        </ej-diagram>
    </div>
  • JAVASCRIPT
  • //Creates connector
    var connectors = [
        // Defines JSON
        {
            //Name of the connector
            name: "connector",
            //Sets source and target points
            sourcePoint: {
                x: 100,
                y: 100
            },
            targetPoint: {
                x: 200,
                y: 200
            }
        }
    ];
    
    //Initializes Diagram
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Assigns connectors collection to the Diagram
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
    });

    AngularJS Diagram Add connector at run time

    Add connector at run time

    Connectors can be added at runtime with the client side method, add. The following code example illustrates how to add connector at runtime.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • // Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 200,
            y: 200
        }
    };
    var diagram = $("#DiagramContent").ejDiagram("instance");
    // Adds to the Diagram
    diagram.add(connector);

    AngularJS Diagram Connectors from palette

    Connectors from palette

    Connectors can be predefined and added to the symbol palette. You can drop those connectors into the Diagram, when required.

    For more information about adding connectors from symbol palette, refer to Symbol Palette.

    Connectors through data source

    Connectors are automatically generated based on the relationships defined through the data source.
    The default properties for these connectors are fetched from default settings.

    For more information about data source, refer to Data Binding.

    Draw connectors

    Connectors can be interactively drawn by clicking and dragging on the Diagram surface by using DrawingTool. For more information about drawing connectors, refer to Draw Connectors.

    Update Connector at runtime

    The client side method, updateConnector is used to update the connectors at run time. The following code example illustrates how to update a connector at runtime.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var diagram = $("#DiagramContent").ejDiagram("instance");
    diagram.updateConnector("connectorName", {
        lineColor: "#1BA0E2",
        lineWidth: 5,
        lineDashArray: "5,5"
    });

    Connect nodes

    The SourceNode and targetNode properties allow to define the nodes to be connected. The following code example illustrates how to connect two nodes.

  • HTML
  • <div ng-controller="diagramCtrl">
        <ej-diagram id="diagramCore" e-height="500px" e-width="700px" e-nodes="nodes" e-defaultsettings="defaultSettings" e-connectors="connectors">
        </ej-diagram>
    </div>
  • JAVASCRIPT
  • // Defines JSON to create tasks
    var task1 = {
        name: "task1",
        offsetX: 200,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 1"
        }]
    };
    var task2 = {
        name: "task2",
        offsetX: 400,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 2"
        }]
    };
    
    //Adds tasks to nodes collection
    var nodes = [
        task1,
        task2
    ];
    
    var connectors = [{
        //Name of the connector
        name: "flow1",
    
        //Name of the source and target nodes
        sourceNode: "task1",
        targetNode: "task2"
    }];
    
    //Initializes Diagram
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets nodes collection to the Diagram model
        $scope.nodes = nodes;
        //Assigns connectors collection to the Diagram
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
        //Defines the properties that carry the common values
        $scope.defaultSettings = {
            //Defines the common values for the nodes
            node: {
                width: 100,
                height: 50,
                fillColor: "darkCyan",
                borderColor: "black",
                type: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.Shapes.Flow,
                shape: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.FlowShapes.Process,
                labels: [{
                    fontColor: "white"
                }]
            }
        }
    });

    AngularJS Diagram Connections with ports

    NOTE

    By default, connections are created at the intersecting point of segments and node bounds. The connection between any specific point of source and target nodes can be achieved with connection ports.

    Connections with ports

    The sourcePort and targetPort properties allow to create connections between some specific points of source/target nodes.
    The following code example illustrates how to create port to port connections.

  • HTML
  • <div ng-controller="diagramCtrl">
        <ej-diagram id="diagramCore" e-height="500px" e-width="700px" e-nodes="nodes" e-defaultsettings="defaultSettings" e-connectors="connectors">
        </ej-diagram>
    </div>
  • JAVASCRIPT
  • //Defines ports for task2
    var ports = [{
            name: "in",
            offset: {
                x: 1,
                y: 0.65
            },
            shape: "circle",
            visibility: "visible",
            fillColor: "black"
        },
        {
            name: "out",
            offset: {
                x: 1,
                y: 0.35
            },
            shape: "circle",
            visibility: "visible",
            fillColor: "black"
        }
    ];
    
    // Defines JSON to create tasks
    var task1 = {
        name: "task1",
        offsetX: 350,
        offsetY: 300,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 1"
        }]
    };
    var task2 = {
        name: "task2",
        offsetX: 200,
        offsetY: 250,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 2"
        }],
        // Adds ports to node
        ports: ports
    };
    var task3 = {
        name: "task3",
        offsetX: 350,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 3"
        }]
    };
    
    //Adds tasks to nodes collection
    var nodes = [task1, task2, task3];
    var connectors = [{
        name: "flow1",
        sourceNode: "task1",
        targetNode: "task2",
        //Name of the target port defined in the target node
        targetPort: "in"
    }, {
        name: "flow2",
        sourceNode: "task2",
        targetNode: "task3",
        //Name of the source port defined in the source node
        sourcePort: "out"
    }];
    
    //Initializes Diagram
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        //Sets nodes collection to the Diagram model
        $scope.nodes = nodes;
        //Assigns connectors collection to the Diagram
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
        //Defines the properties that carry the common values
        $scope.defaultSettings = {
            //Defines the common values for the nodes
            node: {
                width: 100,
                height: 50,
                fillColor: "darkCyan",
                borderColor: "black",
                type: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.Shapes.Flow,
                shape: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.FlowShapes.Process,
                labels: [{
                    fontColor: "white"
                }]
            }
            //Defines common values for connectors
            connector: {
                segments: [{
                    type: "orthogonal"
                }]
            }
        }
    });

    AngularJS Diagram Segments

    Segments

    The path of the connector is defined with a collection of segments. There are three types of segments.

    Straight

    Straight segment allows to create a straight line.
    To create a straight line, you should specify the type of the segment as “straight” and add a straight segment to segments collection. The following code example illustrates how to create a default straight segment.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [];
    //Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 200,
            y: 200
        },
    
        //Defines segment collection
        segments: [{
            //When there is no previous segment, line starts from source point
            //When the end point is not specified, line ends at target point
            //Defines the type of the segment
            type: "straight"
        }]
    };
    connectors.push(connector);

    AngularJS Diagram Straight

    The point property of straight segment allows you to define the end point of it. The following code example illustrates how to define the end point of a straight segment.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [];
    //Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 200,
            y: 300
        },
        //Defines segment collection
        segments: [{
            // Defines the type of the segment
            type: "straight",
            // Defines the end point of the segment
            point: {
                x: 100,
                y: 200
            }
            // Additional straight line will be drawn from this end point to the target point
        }]
    };
    connectors.push(connector);

    AngularJS Diagram Orthogonal segments

    Orthogonal

    Orthogonal segments are used to create segments that are perpendicular to each other.

    Set the segment type as “orthogonal” to create a default orthogonal segment. The following code example illustrates how to create a default orthogonal segment.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [];
    //Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 200,
            y: 200
        },
        //Defines segment collection
        segments: [{
            // Define the type of the segment
            type: "orthogonal"
        }]
    };
    connectors.push(connector);

    AngularJS Diagram Orthogonal

    The length and direction properties allow to define the flow and length of segment. The following code example illustrates how to create customized orthogonal segments.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [];
    //Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 200,
            y: 200
        },
        //Defines segment collection
        segments: [{
            // Orthogonal segment of 50px length to the bottom
            type: "orthogonal",
            length: 50,
            direction: "bottom"
            // Additional orthogonal segments will be added from the end of the last segment to the target point
        }]
    };
    connectors.push(connector);

    AngularJS Diagram direction properties

    Avoid overlapping

    Orthogonal segments are automatically re-routed, in order to avoid overlapping with the source and target nodes. The following images illustrate how orthogonal segments are re-routed.

    AngularJS Diagram Avoid overlapping

    AngularJS Diagram Bezier

    NOTE

    Overlapping with source and target nodes are only avoided. Other nodes are not considered as obstacles.

    Bezier

    Bezier segments are used to create curve segments and the curves are configurable either with the control points or with vectors.

    To create a bezier segment, the segment.type is set as bezier. The following code example illustrates how to create a default Bezier segment.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [];
    //Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 200,
            y: 200
        },
        //Defines segment collection
        segments: [{
            // Defines the type of the segment
            type: "bezier"
        }]
    };
    connectors.push(connector);

    AngularJS Diagram properties

    The point1 and point2 properties of bezier segment enable you to set the control points. The following code example illustrates how to configure the Bezier segments with control points.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [];
    //Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 200
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 250,
            y: 200
        },
        //Defines segment collection
        segments: [{
            // Defines the type of the segment
            type: "bezier",
            // First control point: an absolute position from the page origin
            point1: {
                x: 125,
                y: 75
            },
            // Second control point: an absolute position from the page origin
            point2: {
                x: 225,
                y: 75
            }
        }]
    };
    connectors.push(connector);

    AngularJS Diagram vector properties

    The vactor1 and vector2 properties of bezier segment enable you to define the vectors. The following code illustrates how to configure a bezier curve with vectors.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • //Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 200
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 250,
            y: 200
        },
        //Defines segment collection
        segments: [{
            // Defines the type of the segment
            type: "bezier",
            // Length and angle between the source point and the first control point
            vector1: {
                angle: 270,
                distance: 75
            },
            // Length and angle between the target point and the second control point
            vector2: {
                angle: 270,
                distance: 75
            }
        }]
    };
    connectors.push(connector);

    AngularJS Diagram Complex segments

    Complex segments

    Multiple segments can be defined one after another. To create a connector with multiple segments, define and add the segments to connector.segments collection. The Following code example illustrates how to create a connector with multiple segments.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var connectors = [];
    //Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 200
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 250,
            y: 300
        },
        //Defines segment collection
        segments: [{
                // Segment of length 100px to the bottom
                type: "orthogonal",
                length: 150,
                direction: "bottom"
            }, {
                //Defines a segment of 150px length to the right
                type: "orthogonal",
                direction: "right",
                length: 150
            }
            //Additional orthogonal segments will be added from the end of the last segment to the target point
        ]
    };
    connectors.push(connector);

    AngularJS Diagram Decorator

    Decorator

    Start and end points of a connector can be decorated with some customizable shapes like arrows, circles, diamond or path. You can decorate the connection end points with the sourceDecorator and targetDecorator properties of connector.
    To explore the properties of decorators, refer to Decorator Properties.

    The shape property of decorator allows to define the shape of the decorators. The following code example illustrates how to create decorators of various shapes.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var DecoratorShapes = ej.datavisualization.Diagram.DecoratorShapes;
    var connectors = [];
    //Defines JSON
    var connector = {
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 200,
            y: 200
        },
        // Decorator shape- circle
        sourceDecorator: {
            shape: DecoratorShapes.Circle,
            width: 10,
            height: 10
        },
        // Decorator shape - Arrow
        targetDecorator: {
            shape: DecoratorShapes.Arrow,
            width: 10,
            height: 10
        }
    };
    connectors.push(connector);
    
    var connector2 = {
        name: "connector2",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 300,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 400,
            y: 200
        },
        // Decorator shape - Open arrow
        sourceDecorator: {
            shape: DecoratorShapes.Diamond,
            width: 10,
            height: 10
        },
        // Decorator shape - Diamond
        targetDecorator: {
            shape: DecoratorShapes.OpenArrow,
            width: 10,
            height: 10
        }
    };
    connectors.push(connector2);
    
    var connector3 = {
        name: "connector3",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 500,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 600,
            y: 200
        },
    
        // Decorator shape - Path
        targetDecorator: {
            shape: DecoratorShapes.Path,
            pathData: "M 376.892,225.284L 371.279,211.95L 376.892,198.617L 350.225,211.95L 376.892,225.284 Z"
        }
    };
    connectors.push(connector3);

    AngularJS Diagram connector push

    Padding

    Padding is used to leave space between the Connector’s end point and the object to where it is connected.

    The sourcePadding and targetPadding properties of connector define the space to be left between the connection end points and the source and target nodes of connector. The following code example illustrates how to leave space between the connection end points and source, target nodes.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • // Defines JSON to create tasks
    var task1 = {
        name: "task1",
        offsetX: 200,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 1"
        }]
    };
    var task2 = {
        name: "task2",
        offsetX: 400,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 2"
        }]
    };
    
    //Adds tasks to nodes collection
    var nodes = [
        task1,
        task2
    ];
    
    var connectors = [{
        name: "flow1",
        sourceNode: "task1",
        targetNode: "task2",
        // Space between source point and source object
        sourcePadding: 5,
        // Space between target point and target object
        targetPadding: 10
    }];

    AngularJS Diagram Padding

    The connectorPadding property of node defines the space to be left between the node bounds and its edges. The following code example illustrates how to leave the space between a node and its connections.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • // Defines JSON to create tasks
    var task1 = {
        name: "task1",
        offsetX: 200,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 1"
        }],
        //Space between the node and its edges
        connectorPadding: 5
    };
    
    var task2 = {
        name: "task2",
        offsetX: 400,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 2"
        }]
    };
    
    //Adds tasks to nodes collection
    var nodes = [
        task1,
        task2
    ];
    var connectors = [
        //Defines JSON
        {
            name: "flow1",
            sourceNode: "task1",
            targetNode: "task2"
        }
    ];

    AngularJS Diagram connectorPadding

    The connectorPadding property of port defines the space between the ports and its in/out edges. The following code example illustrates how to leave the space between ports and its connections.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • // Defines JSON to create tasks
    var ports = [{
        name: "port",
        offset: {
            x: 0,
            y: 0.5
        },
        shape: "circle",
        visibility: "visible",
        fillColor: "black",
        //Space between port and its edges
        connectorPadding: 5
    }];
    
    var task1 = {
        name: "task1",
        offsetX: 200,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 1"
        }]
    };
    var task2 = {
        name: "task2",
        offsetX: 400,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 2"
        }],
        ports: ports
    };
    
    //Adds tasks to nodes collection
    
    var nodes = [
        task1,
        task2
    ];
    
    var connectors = [
        //Defines JSON
        {
            name: "flow1",
            sourceNode: "task1",
            targetNode: "task2",
            targetPort: "port"
        }
    ];

    AngularJS Diagram Bridging

    Bridging

    Line Bridging creates a bridge for lines to smartly cross over other lines, at points of intersection. When two line connectors meet each other, the line with the higher z-order (upper one) draws an arc over the underlying connector.
    Bridging can be enabled/disabled either with the connector.constraints or diagram.constraints. The following code example illustrates how to enable line bridging.

  • HTML
  • <div ng-controller="diagramCtrl">
        <ej-diagram id="diagram" e-height="500px" e-width="100%" e-connectors="connectors" e-constraints="constraints">
        </ej-diagram>
    </div>
  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var Diagram = ej.datavisualization.Diagram;
    //Enables briding for a single connector
    var connector = {
        name: "connector1",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 200,
            y: 200
        },
        constraints: Diagram.ConnectorConstraints.Default
            // Removes inherit bridging or else bridging is enabled/disabled based on the Diagram constraints
            &
            ~Diagram.ConnectorConstraints.InheritBridging
            //Includes bridging
            |
            Diagram.ConnectorConstraints.Bridging
    };
    //Enables bridging for every connector added in the model
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
        $scope.constraints: Diagram.DiagramConstraints.Default |
            Diagram.DiagramConstraints.Bridging
    });

    AngularJS Diagram Connector

    The direction of the bridge can be customized with the property bridgeDirection. BridgeDirection defines the intersecting segment where the bridge has to be inserted. By default, the bridge direction points to the top.

    To explore the bridge directions, refer to Bridge Directions.

    The following code example illustrates how to draw the bridge at the bottom direction.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • var DiagramConstraints = ej.datavisualization.Diagram.DiagramConstraints;
    
    //Enables bridging for every connector added in the model
    syncApp.controller('diagramCtrl', function($scope) {
        $scope.connectors = connectors;
        //Sets the bridge direction
        bridgeDirection: "bottom",
            //Enables bridging
            constraints: DiagramConstraints.Default | DiagramConstraints.Bridging
    });

    AngularJS Diagram Corner radius

    Limitation: Bezier segments do not support bridging.

    Corner radius

    Corner radius allows to create connectors with rounded corners. The radius of the rounded corner is set with cornerRadius property.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • // Defines JSON to create tasks
    var task1 = {
        name: "task1",
        offsetX: 200,
        offsetY: 200,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 1"
        }]
    };
    var task2 = {
        name: "task2",
        offsetX: 350,
        offsetY: 300,
        labels: [{
            text: "Task 2"
        }]
    };
    
    //Adds tasks to nodes collection
    var nodes = [
        task1,
        task2
    ];
    
    var connectors = [
        //Defines JSON
        {
            name: "flow1",
            sourceNode: "task1",
            targetNode: "task2",
            //Sets the radius for the rounded corner
            cornerRadius: 10
        }
    ];

    AngularJS Diagram Appearance

    Appearance

    Stroke width, stroke color, and style of the lines and decorators can be customized with a set of defined properties.

    Segment Appearance

    The following code example illustrates how to customize the segment appearance.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • //Customizes the appearance of the connector
    var connectors = [{
        name: "connector",
        sourcePoint: {
            x: 100,
            y: 100
        },
        targetPoint: {
            x: 200,
            y: 200
        },
        //Stroke width of the line
        lineWidth: 2,
        //Stroke color
        lineColor: "green",
        //Line style
        lineDashArray: "2,2",
        //Opacity of the line
        opacity: 0.8,
        //Defined in the decorator appearance section
        targetDecorator: targetDecorator
    }];

    Decorator Appearance

    The following code example illustrates how to customize the appearance of the decorator.

  • JAVASCRIPT
  • //Customizes the appearance of decorator
    var targetDecorator = {
        //Defines the shape
        shape: ej.datavisualization.Diagram.DecoratorShapes.Arrow,
        //Fills color of the decorator
        fillColor: "red",
        //Stroke color
        borderColor: "green",
        //Stroke width
        borderWidth: 2,
        width: 10,
        height: 10
    };

    AngularJS Diagram Interaction

    Interaction

    Diagram allows to edit the connectors at runtime. To edit the connector segments at runtime, refer to Connection Editing.

    Constraints

    The constraints property of connector allows to enable/disable certain features of connectors. For more information about constraints, refer to Connector Constraints.