Option "Convert SmartArt to LO shapes or reverse"

[Regina Henschel]

Hi all,

Find the option "Convert SmartArt to LO shapes or reverse" in Tools > 
Options > Load/Save > Microsoft Office. This option is 'off' as default.

The feature "convert SmartArt shapes to metafile" was introduced from 
Andres Gomez by commit c0e3574ce0434. It keeps the group object but 
replaces the SmartArt shapes inside the group with a svm metafile. It 
sets the shape to size and position protected.

Import from pptx uses always the SmartArt shapes, which means it acts 
always as if option is 'on'. The import does not even touch that part of 
code, although there is a condition to exclude import from pptx from 
converting.

Import from xlsx uses that part. And after the fix for tdf#83671 (in 
review in https://gerrit.libreoffice.org/c/core/+/141571) the group 
object will indeed contain a metafile. But the group object has still 
wrong position and size in the sheet.
If the option is 'on', then with my patch the import works well. The 
group object contains the SmartArt shapes and has correct position and size.

Import from docx respects the option and works.


What is the purpose of using a metafile instead of the SmartArt shapes? 
I see no advantage in it. But it is the default for that option.

What is the purpose of setting size and position protection in case 
converting to metafile?

Kind regards,
Regina