ClarisImpact: Ungrouping a Model Makes it a Picture

The following Models can be Ungrouped easily from within ClarisImpact so that they can be edited like any other drawing created in ClarisImpact:

Flow Chart
Organization Chart
Calendar

* Other Models can be Ungrouped and the methods for doing so are covered below.

Common uses for Ungrouping a Model:
1. You want to remove an element from one of the Models but ClarisImpact does not have a feature for removing that item. For example, maybe you would like to remove an axis or the numbers on the axis from a Data Chart.
2. You want to change one of the elements in one of the Models but ClarisImpact does not have a feature for modifying that element. For instance, you might want to change the dotted lines between the rows and columns of a Timeline to solid lines or longer dashes or a different color.


Selecting a Model for Ungrouping:
Ungroup is located under the Arrange menu but will remain grayed out if the Model is not selected correctly. Before Ungrouping, make sure that the Model you want to Ungroup is selected only with the black selection handles on each corner and not the gray selection border. If the gray selection border is showing then press the Enter key and the Model will then be properly selected for Ungrouping. If your Model is not yet selected then click on it once to properly select it for Ungrouping (clicking twice will select the Model using the gray border).

What happens to the Model:
Once a Model is Ungrouped it no longer has the same characteristics/attributes of the Model tool that created it. In other words, Ungrouping a Model changes it to a drawing. A warning message will appear stating, "Once ungrouped, you will not be able to edit the Model using Model Tools and commands. Continue?". In the case of the Models that cannot be Ungrouped easily, the menu choices Ungroup and Group are grayed out.

How to Ungroup other Model Types:
You can ungroup a Data Chart if you first separate the data table using the Separate Table command from the Chart menu (the Separate Table command will only be available when a Data Chart Model is selected with the gray border). When separating a message will appear stating, "Separating the Table from the Chart will make the Chart values only modifiable from the Table. Continue?". Once separated you will need to cut and paste the Chart so that it can then be Ungrouped. If you do not cut and paste the chart, Ungroup will remain grayed out. If your Data Chart has been created from a Table using the Make Chart Command under the Table menu then you will not need to Separate the Table since it already is separated. Simply cut, paste and then Ungroup.

If you wish to Ungroup a Table or Timeline Model you will need to paste the Model into the Scrapbook temporarily. In order to paste a Model into the Scrapbook you will need to first select it with just the black selection handles. Once this is done, cut and then paste the Model into the Scrapbook. Now that your Model is in the Scrapbook, cut it from the Scrapbook and paste it into your ClarisImpact document. Now you will be able to Ungroup it. This method can also be used with a Word Processing or Outline Model but since there is only text in one of these Models and mostly text in the other it will not be helpful to Ungroup these two types of Models.

Warning:
Make a back-up of your Model in case you make a mistake or decide you need to modify the Model with the Model tools again. In other words, once a Model is Ungrouped it will remain a drawing forever.