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Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

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Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#1

Post by ttd » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:14 PM UTC

I've been working on a diagramming tool [1] and wanted to get some thoughts from people who regularly make architecture and other technical diagrams. I know my own experiences but I'm quite curious to hear others.

I'm guessing for a lot of people draw.io and Excalidraw are probably the go-to. If you use draw.io (or something else), what do you like about it, or what do you wish was better?

[1] - https://app.vexlio.com/ for the curious

Re: Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#2

Post by mindcrime » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:20 PM UTC

Depends on the diagram. But a lot of times it's OpenOffice Draw[1]. I might also use Archi[2] or GraphViz[3] depending on what I'm trying to do. I've also dabbled with using Papyrus[4] but it hasn't yet become a routine part of my workflow. Maybe it should though...

[1]: https://www.openoffice.org/product/draw.html

[2]: https://www.archimatetool.com/

[3]: https://graphviz.org

[4]: https://eclipse.dev/papyrus/

Re: Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#3

Post by Aeolun » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:22 PM UTC

I’ve used terrastruct a lot over the past few years. It’s really nice to write your diagrams with code.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#4

Post by cj » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:22 PM UTC

Lucidchart has worked well for me in the past, with built in AWS icon packs.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#5

Post by Octoth0rpe » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:23 PM UTC

99% sure this is not what you're asking for, but I think it's worth mentioning monodraw: https://monodraw.helftone.com

It's really useful for embedding diagrams in your code. Not so much for uses outside of code though.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#6

Post by bqmjjx0kac » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:24 PM UTC

Graphviz! The syntax is kind of absurd, but it produces some beautiful results and can be version controlled.

Re: Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#7

Post by brunooliv » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:25 PM UTC

draw.io

Re: Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#8

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:25 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#9

Post by PaulHoule » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:26 PM UTC

Powerpoint

Re: Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?

#10

Post by brylie » Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 2:26 PM UTC

I've had a great experience using Excalidraw, which is also open source:

https://excalidraw.com/

https://github.com/excalidraw/excalidraw

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