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52

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Currently I have laid out most of my design in MySQL Workbench. It appears I will be deploying my DB in SQL Server however.

So far my experience with Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 2008 R2 has sucked due to one flaw. When you save your DB Diagram, it creates the tables in the database. I have attempted design in SSMS which sucked due to the flaw. I then moved to Microsoft Visio 2007 only to find out that you cannot export your database unless you have the Developer's edition.

I am wondering what to try next. I did attempt design with Sybase PowerDesign and ERWin only to be blocked by pay-me-now stuff and plenty of design flaws (as far as I am concerned). Is there a great program out there that I can use? Something inexpensive or even free for a small developer that will work with SQL Server ...possibly both SQL Server and MySQL?

I would prefer if the application's layout was as simple as Server Management Studio or MySQL Workbench. I do not like some of the others as you have to go through a ton of tabs in a modal window just to create the columns. It should be simple to lay out the columns and then a bit more complex to define foreign keys etc.

MySQL Workbench is hands down the best from what I have seen so far in a DB design GUI. Is there a similar product that will work properly with SQL Server?

+1  A: 

I have been looking for an alternative as well and am about to give SQL Maestro a shot. It may work for your needs.

http://www.sqlmaestro.com/products/mssql/maestro/

Mike