Good tool for drawing SCM code branch diagrams

Question

Does anyone know a good tool for drawing SCM codeline diagrams? Currently we tend to do this using anything at hand e.g. PowerPoint, Visio, Paint Shop Pro, etc. It's a pity Visio doesn't include a standard stencil for this type of diagram.

We use Perforce which includes tools for producing branching diagrams, but really suited to single files. Moreover, the logical branching strategy is often different from the physical branch history which usually includes far too much detail.

What I'm looking for is something I can use to draw those "big picture" codeline diagrams with mainline, release branch, maintenance branches, etc.

Answer 1

I've often used the Windows version of Dia, which is a nice open source diagram package. There is a good range of stencils and although I don't think there's any standard for SCM codeline diagrams you could just make something up. Since it is a diagram editor you can have connecting arrows that rearrange nicely as you drag parts of the diagram around.

When using Mercurial I like hgview which draws useful codeline diagrams on the fly. It could be better :)

Answer 2

I never had a problem doing them with Visio when I needed to draw branch pictures - but then again, I always worked for small companies so the branches were not crazy complicated. Once my team switched to Accurev, we didn't need to because it has a stream/branch visualization tool built in.

Answer 3

njreed - have you tried using http://svnmapper.tigris.org/? You need windows though unfortunately.

Answer 4

I'd always go for Visio to draw diagrams manually:

But there are tools able to draw the whole thing for you already. Check Plastic SCM :)