Drawing Relationships on the Canvas

How to draw connections between nodes on the canvas to create relationships.

Relationships are the connections between nodes. You draw them directly on the canvas.

Prerequisites

• At least two nodes on the canvas
• A Relationship Type with an Allowed Connection matching the node types you want to connect

Drawing a Relationship

1. Hover over the source node — small connection handles (circles) appear around the node
2. Click and hold on a connection handle
3. Drag toward the target node
4. A line follows your cursor
5. Release on the target node
6. If only one Relationship Type is allowed, it's created immediately
7. If multiple types are possible, a popup lets you choose

After Drawing

• The relationship appears as a line or arrow between the nodes
• Select it to see its properties in the Properties Panel
• You can edit its property values there

Reconnecting a Relationship

To attach an existing relationship to a different element, select it and drag either end onto the new source or target:

• The element under the cursor lights up green if the connection is allowed and red if it isn't.
• The relationship keeps its ID and property values; only its end moves.
• Diagrams that don't show the new element drop the relationship, and Metapad tells you how many.
• One undo puts it back.

Troubleshooting

"Nothing happens when I try to connect nodes"

• Check that Allowed Connections are set up for the source type → relationship type → target type combination
• Connections are directional — try connecting in the other direction

"I don't see connection handles"

• Make sure you're hovering directly over the node
• You need to be in the default select mode (not in panning mode)

Tips

• Relationships auto-show when both connected nodes are on the same diagram
• You can add waypoints to relationship lines to route them around other elements
• Relationship labels are shown along the connection line on the canvas