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Stack Vertically Node (Shapes > Grouping)

Janne Brönner
  • Updated

What it does

This node groups items that are horizontally aligned (based on the Measurement Point) and located close to each other vertically. It’s especially useful for combining shapes that visually belong together in a vertical arrangement.

Use it for

  • Grouping text shapes that have been rotated 90 degrees and form a single line of text.
  • Grouping shapes that belong together vertically.
  • Structuring vertically aligned items for further processing.

How to use it

  1. Drag and drop the node from the Node Library into your template:
    Node Library > Folder Shapes > Folder Grouping
  2. Connect the node with other nodes in the Data Flow of your template.
  3. Specify the settings in the Node Properties task pane.

Tip

Before stacking, use the Sort Vertically node to ensure your items are ordered from top to bottom. This helps maintain the correct sequence when shapes are combined into stacks.

Node Input

Connect a node from the Data Flow that contains the items (shapes or shape trees) you want to stack to the Items input port. These items will be evaluated for vertical proximity and grouped accordingly.

Node Output

This node provides two outputs, visible in the Node Result task pane:

  • Stacks: Outputs the newly created stacks as a list of shape trees, each representing a group of vertically aligned items.
  • Remainder: Outputs a list of items that did not get stacked, either because they didn’t meet the stacking criteria or were isolated.

You can connect both output ports individually to other nodes for further processing.

Node Properties

Node Name

You can assign a custom name to the node to help identify its purpose within your template.

Stack Name

You can assign a custom name to the newly created stacks to help identify them in further shape trees.

Measurement Point

Defines the reference point used to measure horizontal alignment between items. Options include:

  • Left: Uses the left edge of the item.
  • Center: Uses the vertical center of the item.
  • Right: Uses the right edge of the item.

This setting helps determine whether items are aligned closely enough to be considered part of the same vertical line.

Min. Stack Size

Specifies the minimum number of items required to form a stack. If fewer items are found, they won’t be grouped.

Default: 1

Horizontal Tolerance

Defines the maximum horizontal difference (in points) allowed between items to still be considered aligned.
Useful when font sizes vary or when superscript/subscript characters are present in text rotated 90 degrees.

Default: 0,100

Max. Distance

Sets the maximum vertical distance (in points) between items for them to be stacked.

Default: 1,000

Max. Overlap

Sets the maximum vertical overlap (in points) between items for them to be stacked.

Default: 1,000