My preferred model organization follows David Hay’s recommendations:
- Minimize bends in relationship lines by allowing vertical sizing of entities
- Crows feet “toes pointing” either left or up
Allowing the option for the “Left-Right” layout to be “Right-Left”, and for the “Pipeline” to be oriented in the opposite horizontal direction would go a long way toward allowing a quick layout that adheres to these conventions.
For more background on the reasons this layout is desirable see the “Aesthetics - Order”, “Bent Lines”, and “Layering” sections of this article:
https://www.essentialstrategies.com/publications/modeling/makingrd.htm
I would say it is not a bad option. Like, in ref, use inline on FK columns to connect to one PK column. Now you have only one FK table that connects to the PK table, so you have the option to define ref directly on the PK side.
And the same is applicable on dep too.
Other than inline, it is also good because you may keep the same type of table. column on one side by using a bidirectional arrow. So I would say an extra value-added feature.
Thanks,
Hi @wp_troyk, thanks for the detailed write-up!
Currently, both Left-Right and Pipeline (which is available in the Dependency and ERD + Deps relationship modes) lay tables out left to right. We’ve recorded your request for a right-to-left option on both.