SmartDraw

The new version, SmartDraw VP, now available!

Just as the word processor makes it possible for anyone to create beautifully formatted written documentation, the visual processor makes it possible for anyone to create presentation-quality visuals just as easily.

Before the visual processor, visuals had to be created manually with complex graphics software. Even for experts, producing a visual like a flowchart was time consuming and the results were often not presentation-quality.

SmartDraw automates the creation of visuals to such a degree that anyone can do it, and get great results in minutes.

Why is SmartDraw a visual processor?
Because, just as we can all use a word processor to create professionally-formatted written documents, anyone can use a visual processor to create professional-quality visuals just as quickly and easily.

How is a visual processor like SmartDraw different from graphics software like Visio? Don't they do the same thing?
It's not what they do; it's how they do it! An old Remington typewriter can be used to create written documents but no one with a word processor would use one today. Using a typewriter, you are on your own! No automatic wrapping of text. No automatic formatting of bullets and paragraphs. Add, delete, or change your text and you have to manually retype the page. Its slow and the results don't look professional unless you are an expert. Graphics software like Visio is like a typewriter: slow and manual. No automatic spacing of shapes. No automatic reformatting as you add, delete or change content. It's painstaking to use and to get good results you need to be an expert. Once you have used a visual processor you'll never go back to graphics software again.

What kind of visuals can I create with SmartDraw?
Just about any kind of business visual. SmartDraw has specialized templates for 70 different types of visual. Everything from flowcharts to floorplans.

What would I do with a visual processor? Why do I need one?
The rapid pace of change in the modern business world and the information overload it has caused is a problem we all wrestle with. We need to consume information in a way that can be easily understood in the minimum amount of the time. When you look at information presented visually, you can immediately see the key ideas and the relationships between them, instead of having to take the time to read a 12 page report. A picture really is worth a 1000 words.

PDF is not one of SmartDraw's input formats. With pdf2picture, you can convert your vector PDF file content into high-fidelity WMF files that you can import for edition in SmartDraw. Searchable texts will be converted as editable text in Smartdraw.

• Automatic Formatting: Only SmartDraw draws for you. Start with a template then use simple commands to add shapes and SmartDraw places them in just the right position with the appropriate connections.
• 70 Different Kinds of Visuals: No matter what type of visual you need to create, chances are SmartDraw has a quick-start template to help you create your graphic in minutes.
• Microsoft Office® Integration: SmartDraw is fully integrated with Microsoft Office®. With literally one click, you can send your completed drawing directly to Word®, Excel®, or PowerPoint®. You can even copy and paste from SmartDraw to any your Office® document, and vice versa.
• PowerPoint® Integration: SmartDraw works with PowerPoint® like no other software to ensure compelling presentations. Using a graphic in a slide beats boring bullets every time, but revealing a graphic in a series of steps can increase comprehension tenfold. SmartDraw builds this in automatically.
• Microsoft Project® Integration: SmartDraw even integrates with Microsoft Project® so you can quickly and easily plan a complex project. Save your SmartDraw project chart in Microsoft Project® format to share with coworkers. You can also import existing Project® files.
• Microsoft Visio® Filter: SmartDraw gives you access to all your old Visio® files, plus new ones you receive from colleagues.
• Microsoft SharePoint® Integration: SmartDraw integrates with Microsoft SharePoint®, one of the most popular document management systems in the world.
• Microsoft Office® Interface: SmartDraw even works like Microsoft Office®. Commands and options are grouped in a similar way, and are made easily accessible with the tab-oriented "ribbon" interface you're used to.
• Sharing Documents: SmartDraw makes it easy to share your visuals. In addition to one-click exporting to Microsoft Office, you can also share your SmartDraw documents as an Adobe PDF or any of more than a dozen different graphic formats, including TIFF, JPEG, BMP, and PNG.
• Printing: When it comes time to print out your document, SmartDraw gives you complete flexibility.
• Customisation: SmartDraw automatically applies professional design themes for you, but also gives you complete control to customize your drawing in any way you want.
• Customising Graphics: Customize even further by adjusting line thickness, outline and fill colors, even add textures.
• Customising Text: SmartDraw gives you complete flexibility with text too—recolor, resize, select a new font, and even rotate.
• Adding Shapes and Lines: Each template includes a library of shapes and symbols specifically for the type of drawing you're working on. To add a new shape, simply select it and drag it onto your drawing.
• Aligning, Rotating, and Grouping: SmartDraw makes it easy to achieve a professional look by making it a snap to organize and manipulate your drawing elements.
• Adding Tables: Easily add tables to your drawing with the commands in the Table tab. SmartDraw gives you complete control of your table formatting, much like Microsoft Word®, but with far more styling flexibility.
• Adding Images and Photos: Easily integrate photos and other images into your SmartDraw document by importing, or copying and pasting. All standard file formats are recognized.
• Notes: Put details about your visual in notes instead of on your diagram for a cleaner and simpler look.
• Comments: Avoid the inevitable and confusing collection of co-worker emails by putting all your comments right into your SmartDraw document.