Replace Shapes - Diagrammix Manual

The Replace Shapes feature lets you change a shape's type while keeping its text content, connectors, styling, and position intact. This is perfect for refining diagrams without redrawing connections.

Why Replace Shapes?

As your diagram evolves, you might need to change shape types:

Convert a rectangle to a rounded rectangle for a softer look
Change an ellipse to a diamond for better semantic meaning
Swap a basic shape for a specialized notation symbol
Update flowchart symbols to match a different standard

Instead of deleting and recreating the shape (losing all connections), use Replace Shapes to make an instant swap.

How to Replace a Shape

Method 1: Inspector Panel

Select the shape you want to replace
Open the Inspector panel on the right
Find the Shape section
Click the Replace Shape button (or shape type dropdown)
Choose the new shape type from the gallery
The shape instantly transforms

Right-click the shape you want to replace
Choose Replace Shape from the context menu
Select the new shape type
The replacement happens immediately

What Gets Preserved

When you replace a shape, these properties are maintained:

Connections

All connectors remain attached
Attachment points adjust to the new shape geometry
Sticky spots transfer to equivalent positions

Content

Text content and formatting
Text alignment and padding
Text rotation (if applicable)

Styling

Fill color and gradients
Stroke color, width, and pattern
Shadow and effects
Opacity
Color scheme assignment

Position & Size

Location on the canvas
Overall dimensions (fitted to new shape)
Rotation angle
Z-order (front/back position)

Organization

Layer assignment
Group membership
Lock/unlock state

What Changes

Only the shape's geometry changes:

Shape outline - The new shape type's contour
Connection points - Adjusted to match new geometry
Aspect ratio - May change if the new shape has different proportions

Note: Text may reflow if the new shape has significantly different proportions.

Common Shape Replacements

Rectangle → Rounded Rectangle (softer process boxes)
Rectangle → Subroutine (add side bars for predefined process)
Diamond → Hexagon (different decision symbol style)
Ellipse → Stadium (better terminator shape)

UML Diagrams

Rectangle → UML Class Box (add compartments for attributes/methods)
Basic Shape → Specialized UML Symbol (actor, boundary, control)

Network Diagrams

Rectangle → Server Symbol (specialized notation)
Ellipse → Cloud Symbol (cloud services)
Basic Shape → Custom Imported Symbol

Visual Enhancement

Basic shapes → Styled notation symbols (business, sticker, sketch styles)
Geometric shapes → Organic shapes (for less formal diagrams)

Replacing Multiple Shapes

To replace several shapes at once:

Select all the shapes you want to replace (Shift+Click or Cmd+Click)
Use either method (Inspector or right-click)
Choose the new shape type
All selected shapes transform simultaneously

This is useful for:

Updating all process boxes in a flowchart to a new style
Converting all entities in an ERD to a different notation
Applying a consistent visual style across a diagram

Tips

Replace before styling - If you're going to replace, do it early to avoid fine-tuning styles twice
Preview shape proportions - Some shapes have fixed aspect ratios that may change your layout
Check text overflow - After replacing, verify text still fits comfortably
Use undo freely - If the replacement doesn't look right, Cmd+Z to revert
Combine with styles - After replacing, apply a style preset for quick refinement

Limitations

You cannot replace:

Connectors - These have their own properties and don't work with Replace Shapes
Tables - Table structure is too complex for simple replacement
Groups - Ungroup first, then replace individual shapes
Text elements - Standalone text isn't a shape
Images - Image objects can't be replaced with shapes (but shapes can't become images)