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Weblog:   Mac Mini and PCs That Don't Work
Subject:   Visio
Date:   2005-01-12 12:45:16
From:   Jonathan Gennick
Response to: Visio

Thanks for the tip. I depend on Visio for the figures I draw in my books. I have no real need though, to convert files that I've already drawn, so it's reasonably fine that OmniGraffle doesn't convert older files. Would be nice if it did, but it's not a critical issue. It is nice to know that there's a drag-and-drop drawing tool for the Mac. I've tried some other drawing tools, Freehand for example, and I'm astounded at how difficult they make the task of drawing a simple, box diagram. Partly, I chalk that up to my ignorance of, in this case, Freehand, but still...
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Showing messages 1 through 8 of 8.

  • Visio
    2005-01-12 21:36:37  Jerky [Reply | View]

    It's pretty funny that you say that using Freehand is hard compared to Visio. I'm comfortable with using Illustrator, which is somewhat similar to Freehand, and I struggle with using Visio to create even the simplest drawing. I get annoyed that hardly anything has shortcuts(or at least they are not documented in the menus) and I find the line drawing tools really difficult. I've tried really hard to give Visio a chance but I still despise using it. Part of it could be my ignorance of visio but I know my way around quite a few drawing programs like Autocad and Illustrator. Both of those have fairly steep learning curves so I'm not convinced it's entirely me but I still don't rule it out. So I find it funny that someone has same problem just the application use difficulty is reversed.
    • Jonathan Gennick photo Visio
      2005-01-13 09:30:14  Jonathan Gennick | O'Reilly AuthorO'Reilly Blogger [Reply | View]

      I chalk my drawing difficulties w/Freehand up to ignorance. I'm sure Freehand is a good tool. I should not have singled it out in a negative way. The whole approach to using it though, differs from Visio, and so I'm used to one way and not the other. A couple of sit-down sessions with a Freehand user would probably clear a lot of things up for me.
  • Visio alternative
    2005-01-12 14:39:50  GJJ [Reply | View]

    One of my favorite drawing tools is Smart Draw. Much easier to use that Visio in my book. Check it out. I have used it for org charts and program logic diagrams. You have to try it to believe it. The free trial should give you an idea of its capabilities. I think it can import older versions of Visio files as well.

    It only runs on a PC, though.
    • Visio alternative
      2005-01-13 08:36:48  vainst1k [Reply | View]

      SmartDraw is very good, yes. Blows you away with the thought that went into smoothing the user experience. Great for E-R diagrams. Free viewer, or you can export to .JPG
      • Visio alternative
        2005-01-17 16:43:19  andrew_ordo [Reply | View]

        "It only runs on a PC, though."

        Not only that, it only runs on Microsoft Windows. :(
      • Visio alternative
        2005-01-17 16:43:05  andrew_ordo [Reply | View]

        "It only runs on a PC, though."

        Not only that, it only runs on Microsoft Windows. :(
      • Visio alternative
        2005-01-17 16:42:02  andrew_ordo [Reply | View]

        > It only runs on a PC, though.

        Not only that, it only runs on Microsoft Windows. :(
      • Visio alternative
        2005-01-17 16:41:34  andrew_ordo [Reply | View]

        > It only runs on a PC, though.

        Not only that, it only runs on Microsoft Windows. :(
Showing messages 1 through 8 of 8.