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?Back in the days when I was going for a degree in IT (Information Technology) as a Distant Learner, we were asked to purchase many software packages that we might never use again after that semester ended. Programs like Microsoft Visio, a program that's well worth the cost if one was going to use it everyday and have use for all the features it has to offer. There were a multitude of cheaper programs and even some freeware programs that would have done everything that we needed for class but we couldn't use them because the professors wouldn't be able to open our work with MS Visio. Through some careful web searches, I found sites that offered extended trial periods on expensive software, which lasted just, long enough to get me through that semester.
Anyone who has done any computer software design or have written any assembly manuals, operation manuals, or repair manuals know just how indispensable a flow-charting program can be. Actually, a good flow charting and diagramming program is indispensable. When I first started out, I created all my charts, diagrams the old fashion way, using T-square and templates, and then scanned them into the computer for manipulation and insertion into my article or manual. That worked but used up a lot of time that could have been better spent researching, writing, and rewriting. I had tried quite a few different drawing programs but they weren't for me because you almost had to have an artist's eye and hand-eye coordination to use them effectively. An artist I have never been and will never be. What I needed was a program that had pre-drawn objects that I could simply drag and drop where I wanted them, objects that were easily re-sized, and connected in the order I needed.
I had been using a drawing board since the 1960s and was relatively fast so I really didn't spend much time looking for a software program that would do what I wanted at a price I could afford. At least I didn't until I accepted a job to produce a 300-page electronics repair manual and was given a 60-day deadline. I was ready to sink some big bucks into a commercial software package when I ran across an article in a computer magazine touting some freeware programs that provided everything that I needed at a price anyone could afford, 0 dollars. It was an offer that I couldn't refuse and I tried a few of them. That was ten years ago. Since then, I have used over fifty different freeware or shareware drawing programs and they were all great little programs. Today I use a freeware program called Diagram Designer that has to be the Cadillac of the freeware flow charting and diagramming software.
This is a real gem of a freeware program, with all the features that need to create great looking flowcharts, Venn Charts, and other diagrams.
? A built-in customizable object templates
? Dictionary plug-ins available in twelve languages
? Capability to import and export files with the following file extensions: WMF, EMF, BMP, JPEG, PNG, MNG, ICO, GIF and PCX images
? A slide presentation generator
? A built-in advanced scientific calculator
? A graph plotter that utilizes mathematical expressions
? A bitmap editor, and
? File compression to minimize drawing size
As you can see from this screenshot, this program has a very intuitive GUI (Graphical Users Interface) and a very easy to navigate menu bar.
As you can see from this screenshot the mathematical expression evaluator is also very straight forward and easy to use.
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As you can see from this screenshot there are twenty-two additional templates sets that you can down load and use as needed, again these are totally free to download and use.
As you can see this little freeware program offers you all the important features of any costly commercial software package and it's FREE! If you have a need to create flowcharts, Venn Diagrams, electronic schematics, or other drawings, try this little gem. You'll like it, trust me.
Here's an example: Let's say that you have to prepare a schematic diagram of a power supply for a DIY project. This project will incorporate a full wave rectifier bridge and you need a symbol for this component. Here's how to find one.
? Open Diagram Designer
? Pull down the "File" menu>select "Template Pallets">left click on "Load Template Pallets."
? In this dialog box select "Electronic Symbols 2" and the symbols appear in the preview panel. As you can see, the symbol that you need is the fifth one down in the left column. If you aren't into electronics, take my word for it, that the one you will need, so go ahead and click on "Open" to load the palette into the drawing window.
? Now all you have to do is drag the symbol into the drawing dropping it where you want to place as you see here.
Well I think you get the idea of how easy this program is to use so the next time you need to create a drawing for one of your articles, give this little gem a test drive. What have you got to lose, it's FREE.
excellent article, only my brain does not function in that fashion, I have trouble with diagrams and such.