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The shape of a branch can be changed either from the branch palette, or from the context sensitive menus, or from the main menu. Note that for all except the FlexiBranches the text on the branch and the branch itself are separate, and you can select the text on the branch and make it narrower than the branch if you so desire. The text below is talking about when you select the branch itself rather than the text on the branch.
The available branch shapes are:
Line
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A line which has the text of the branch above it. When selected, you will have two handles, one at each end, which you can use for stretching the branch. If you make it too short for the text, the text will wrap to multiple lines.
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Rectangle
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A rectangle (or rounded rectangle) that may be filled in with color and have a line around it's border. When selected, you will have 8 handles, one at each corner, and one in the center of each side to resize the branch. If you make it too narrow for the text, the text will wrap and make the branch taller automatically. The text of a rectangle branch can be aligned in the center of the branch, or at the top or bottom of the branch.
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Oval
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An oval shape, which can be filled in with a color and have a different color around the edge, similar to the rectangle. An oval can have the text in the middle of the oval, or outside the oval above or below, and will wrap and shorten the size of the oval portion if the branch is made too narrow for the text.
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FlexiBranch
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A line branch that can be altered in shape using any or all of the six colored handles.
Flexi Branches can be shaped in a number of directions and the text is calculated to space accordingly to try and remain readable (although with tight angles this will not be possible). By familiarizing yourself with the colored handles you will learn what each handle allows you to do.
The green handles allow you to move the start and finish points of the branch.
The blue handles move horizontally and determine the sharpness of the curve from the straight part of the line at the start (where adornments and numbering is accommodated) and at the end (where it connects to the next branch). By moving these further from the green handles you will create a more gradual curve into the middle of your FlexiBranch.
The yellow handles can be moved any direction and determine the line shape which your text is going to follow. The text calculates it's own spacing to try and overcome crowding, however, on really tight angles crowding can still occur. You can manually adjust the text kerning (spacing) by selecting the text to be loosened or tightened and select Text from the Menu, then Font / Kern and choose tighten or loosen. You can also use the shortcut keys  +Option+k to loosen or +Option+Shift+k to tighten. By also using the purple branch resize handles you can made the shape wider or narrower - thus creating text wrapping or unwrapping if desired.
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