Mapping Visio artifacts

When you import process diagrams that were created in Microsoft Visio, you select how each Visio shape maps to an IBM Blueworks Live element.

Before you import:
  • Delete any keys or legends on the Visio worksheet tabs.
  • Make sure that all flow lines are drawn in the correct direction.
  • Make sure that all flow lines are connected to shapes. Lines that are close but not connected are not imported into Blueworks Live.
  • Check for shapes that are missing labels and assign them the labels that you want. Custom labels are kept when the diagram is imported.

When you import, you can map any Visio shape to any Blueworks Live element. If you select Unknown or Do not import, the Visio shape and any lines that are associated with it are not imported into Blueworks Live.

The following rules apply:
  • The file name is preserved and is the same in all operating systems.
  • UTF-8 characters, spaces, and special symbols # $ % ^ - + ! @ ( ) _ = [ ] { } , . ~ ` are preserved.
  • If a process contains a character that cannot be used in a specific operating system, that character is changed to an underscore (_) character. For Windows, characters that are changed are: ? / & * | : " < > \
  • If the Visio file has no milestones or swimlanes, Blueworks Live puts the process into the "Unassigned Swimlane" and into one milestone.
  • If the Visio shape has an attached annotation Visio shape, the text appears in the Documentation view of the imported element.

After you import the file, the Process Diagram view of the process opens in Blueworks Live. Check the diagram to make sure that the mapping of the Visio shapes matches your expectations.