OmniGraffle
Yep, OmniGraffle for me. I've been using it for the last 8 years.
Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
41–50 of 62 posts
Re: Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
#42UML, network diagram, flowchart: http://projects.gnome.org/dia/ Sequence diagram: http://sdedit.sourceforge.net/ Also for the corporate world where only Microsoft tools are an option, I tend to just use MS Word, you can make diagrams that are good enough to get the message across, yet everybody has access to it without requiring a special license.
sdedit looks like a really useful tool. Thanks for posting this!
Re: Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
#43Latex, with the TikZ package: http://www.texample.net/tikz/
Steep learning curve, but there are plenty of examples around the Internet, and it's certainly worth the investment.
Re: Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
#44I use Umlet: http://www.umlet.com/
It's good for quick diagrams when you need to explain some of the more bizarre architectural choices in your system.
Re: Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
#45Lekh Diagram (http://www.avabodh.com/lekh)
Quick way to draw flowchart, block diagram etc.
Only available for iOS though.
Re: Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
#46Sparx Enterprise Architect
Re: Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
#47Last time I needed to to create a diagram, I experimented with Diagrams [1], which is an interesting way of doing it if you like Haskell.
Re: Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
#48I first use paper and pencil, but then I transcribe and keep it up to date electronically. http://lucidchart.com has been my favorite service as it is free for simpler projects and can be upgraded if you need more complexity. I've watched the project grow from an idea, to recruiting developers in my CS classes, to a full blown project which has exceeded my expectations. It's exciting to watch!
What's your process/toolchain for transcription and storage?
My process is a bit rudimentary. I just have a folder with notebook paper in it. When I need to create a new system or subsytem I will draw it on paper just as it would look in any of these diagraming tools. Once ready I'll use lucidchart to replicate the drawing (schema or flowchart). Once it's implemented in code and committed in Git I will go back to the electronic copy, mark in red or other colors anything that will change in the next refactor or implementation. As I refactor I change the red makrings to black indicating it is now part of the system. The paper becomes an artifact of the first revision.
Sometimes I'll break out a new paper and do the initial drawings to test my knowledge of the system and see if I have complicated the design. This system works well for me.
Re: Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
#49UML, network diagram, flowchart: http://projects.gnome.org/dia/ Sequence diagram: http://sdedit.sourceforge.net/ Also for the corporate world where only Microsoft tools are an option, I tend to just use MS Word, you can make diagrams that are good enough to get the message across, yet everybody has access to it without requiring a special license.
sdedit looks like a really useful tool. Thanks for posting this!
No Problem. I was really impress by the ease of use and output quality.
Re: Ask HN: What software for diagrams and flowcharts do you use?
#50Lekh Diagram ( http://www.avabodh.com/lekh ) Quick way to draw flowchart, block diagram etc. Only available for iOS though.
I had tried Lekh Diagram and Grafio both and found the latter to be better. You may want to try it out.