What tools do you use to make architecture diagrams?

Question

I'm looking for a good tool (hopefully free) for building high-level architecture diagrams. Boxes, arrows, images for databases/servers, everything I need to explain our architecture to guys who carry Blackberrys. What's the best tool for this?

Answer 1

Star UML and ilovesit

See also Open Office Draw for a less technical approach

Answer 2

If you need to present high-level architecture diagrams to "men in black"berrys, I would recommend any Powerpoint-like tool. Check out Zoho Presenter, OpenOffice or Google Apps Presentation. Tehy all have basic shapes and texts presentable in any layout.

For professionally looking Architecture diagrams, tools like Enterprise Architect are recommended.

Answer 3

I've personally used Visio extensively in the past.

It's provided by my employer "free" (to employees while in the employ of the company), and I had/have a copy that was free to me as a student.

Certainly other tools exist, but that's the one I'm familiar with.\

The diagrams integrate well to PowerPoint, too :)

Answer 4

I tend to do most of my actual design on a white board or on paper, and then I create an electronic copy using Dia.

Answer 5

I have used Sparx Enterprise Architect and Microsoft Visio. Both are good to some extent.

On the other hand I have used a combination of Mindmap tool and MS Powerpoint. The combination of these two produces some amazing result.

If you want to draw some complex shapes (for a particular scenario) try using the free vector editing tool like "Inkscape". It's amazingly simple to produce complex shapes easily.

You can get "Inkscape" at http://www.inkscape.org/

You can get a free mindmapping tool at http://freemind.sourceforge.net/ to experiment with if you like.

Answer 6

yed. It's very powerful, does all sorts of diagrams, nice automatic layout to get you started. Good format support. I found it more useful than specific UML tools.

Answer 7

Already answered here and here and here in a different way but mostly the same answer.

Architecture diagram can be created with almost the same tool as design diagram with UML. Of course, without having specific diagram like Sequence, you can use the Boxes, Arrows and other components of UML to build your architecture diagram. I would suggest to use Pen and Paper first than draw a more final version with one of these tools.

Here is some tool (mostly UML):

• StarUML - http://staruml.sourceforge.net/en/ (Free)

• Enterprise Architect from Sparx Systems (Not free)

• Violet

• Umbrello UML

• ArgoUML

Here is a complete list of over 50 UML designer (free and not) Wikipedia list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UML_tools

Answer 8

I used to use Visio, but my colleague introduced me to Enterprise Architect by Spark Systems.

Use what tool you feel most comfortable in. Once, I liked Rational Rose, it was great!

Answer 9

I've been happy with my results using:

• Paper
• Pen
• Ruler
• Coloured Pencils
• Photocopier

Answer 10

Visio, because its free with a MSDN subscription.

Answer 11

There is yed link text and jfig if you look for something not specifically UML. Jfig is basic yet powerful and much more versatile. A lightweight inkscape

Answer 12

If you're using a Mac, OmniGraffle is quite easily one of the best diagramming programs out there. It's not free, but it's also not that terribly expensive either (especially if you're a student).

Answer 13

I used visio because it was required for a project in programming (flowcharts). The same flowchart symbols are available in microsoft word 2007.