In this mini exercise, you will practice drafting flowcharts using the IP DaVinci standardized procedure. You’ll systematically replicate the red flowchart sample on the left by adding and organizing shapes, connecting them, and applying annotations on the right. This structured approach ensures clarity, consistency, and compliance with professional patent drawing standards.

🔎 Note for Preview Users:
This exercise uses the preview version of the IP DaVinci Basic Shapes and Annotations stencils. The complete IP DaVinci Toolkit includes additional drafting stencils, shapes, and annotation tools designed to support the full patent drawing workflow. These tools are introduced throughout the full training.

Why Standardization Matters
A systematic approach to flowchart drafting eliminates errors, speeds up the process, and ensures a consistent drafting style. Think of it like following a cooking recipe:
  • You wouldn’t start baking a cake without first measuring and preparing all the ingredients.
  • You wouldn’t frost the cake before it’s fully baked and cooled.

By following the IP DaVinci standardized workflow, you’ll learn to create professional-quality flowcharts efficiently, reducing unnecessary rework and ensuring compliance with patent drafting standards.

💡 Multi-Device Tip: For the best experience, use your primary computer (with Visio and a mouse) for working on the practice file, and a secondary device (tablet, smartphone, laptop, or second monitor) to view step-by-step instructions and demonstration videos.

💡 Pro Tip: While a touchpad can be used for navigation, we strongly recommend using a mouse for precision when working with patent figures. Unlike word processing or spreadsheets, graphical tasks demand accuracy and efficiency, which a mouse provides.

COMPLETION STEPS

1 Setup Workspace

  • 1️⃣ On Your Primary Computer

    • Download the Practice File:
      • Note: After downloading the zip file, please extract its contents.
        • On Windows: Right-click the file and choose "Extract All..." to unzip the folder.
        • On Mac: Double-click the zip file to automatically extract it.
    • Open the Visio File:
      • Go to the Shapes panel, click More Shapes, and load the IP-DaVinci-Annotation-Stencil (Preview).vssx and IP-DaVinci-BasicShapes-Stencil (Preview).vssx stencils.
      • Open the provided practice file: MC999-MiniPractice-FlowchartDrafting.vsdx
      • Verify that the IP-DaVinci-BasicShapes-Stencil (Preview) and IP-DaVinci-Annotation-Stencil (Preview) stencils are loaded. If not:
    • Set Visual Aids
      • Snap to Shape Geometry and Connection Points.
      • Glue to Shape Geometry and Connection Points.
      • Go to the View tab and select Visual Aids. Ensure the following snapping and gluing settings are enabled:
    Snap and Glue Setting

  • 2️⃣ On Your Secondary Device (Recommended)

    • Access Detailed Instructions:
      • Use your secondary device to access step-by-step instructions and demonstration videos.

2 Complete Task E1

Follow the steps below as a general guide to complete Task E1. If you have a secondary device, refer to the detailed demonstration videos on it as you perform the tasks on your primary computer.

In this practice, you’ll draft a flowchart-type patent figure using the IP DaVinci standardized procedure. This step-by-step approach ensures accuracy, efficiency, and visual consistency, helping you create patent figures that are compliant, professional, and ready for submission.

Your Task:

Your job is to recreate the reference flowchart using a structured drafting sequence. By completing one type of task fully before moving to the next, you’ll avoid common mistakes and move faster with better results.


💡 Watch the Overview video—watch this first for a quick walkthrough

Step-by-Step Instructions for Task E1:

  1. Add All Shapes First
    • Insert, label, align, and resize all shapes before anything else.
  2. Add All Connectors Next
    • Draw and position connectors after all shapes are finalized.
  3. Add All Annotations Last
    • Add lead lines, reference numbers, and figure labels to a finalized structure.

💡 Watch the overview video for a walkthrough before starting.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Task E1:

  • Preparation: Zooming In for Optimal Visibility
    🎯 Goal: View both the reference and working areas clearly.

    1. Move your cursor between the reference diagram (left) and your working area (right).
    2. Hold `Ctrl` and scroll upward to zoom in until:
      • Both diagrams are fully visible.
      • Text and shape details are clearly readable.
  • Step 1: Insert and Finalize All Shapes
    🎯 Goal: Complete all shape work before moving on.

    1. Insert the first Process shape from the Basic Flow Shapes stencil.
    2. Add text by typing or copy-pasting from the reference diagram.
    3. Resize the shape as needed to fit the text.
    4. Insert a Decision (Diamond) shape below the first shape — repeat steps 1–3. Use Dynamic Grid to align it.
    5. Insert a second Process shape to the right — again repeat steps 1–3 and align.
    6. Ensure all shapes are properly aligned, spaced, and that text fits before moving on.
  • Step 2: Adding All Connectors
    🎯 Goal: Link shapes logically and accurately.

    1. Select the Connector tool (`Ctrl + 3` or use the Home tab).
    2. Connect shapes following the reference figure’s logic.
    3. Check direction and flow for clarity.
  • Step 3: Adding Reference Numbers and Lead Lines
    🎯 Goal: Add compliant reference numbers using the provided stencil.

    1. Open the Annotation stencil.
    2. Drag in a "Line & RefNum" shape.
    3. Place it near the relevant shape.
    4. Replace the `XXX` placeholder with the actual number.
    5. Repeat for each element that needs reference numbering.
  • Step 4: Adding Labels to Connectors
    🎯 Goal: Label connector flows before finalizing.

    1. Drag a Label shape onto the canvas near a connector.
    2. Replace the placeholder text with the correct label.
    3. Resize and reposition if needed.
    4. Repeat for each required label.
  • Step 5: Adding the Figure Number
    🎯 Goal: Complete the diagram with the figure identifier.

    1. Drag a "FigNum" shape from the Annotation stencil.
    2. Position it in the correct location.
    3. Replace the placeholder with "Fig. 1B".
Final Check & Summary
✅ Shapes inserted, labeled, and aligned
✅ Connectors match the reference flow
✅ Reference numbers and labels are in place
✅ "Fig. 1B" is clearly added
Last modified: Wednesday, 4 March 2026, 5:04 AM