Last week, I needed to create a diagram for a new e-book I’m working on. I needed to depict the flow of information into and out of a mind map, and I needed to get this illustration done in a hurry. Sounds like a perfect job for SmartDraw. So I opened up the new 2008 version, which I have installed on my laptop but haven’t had a chance to use yet. SmartDraw and I go back a long way; I’ve been using the program for years to create business diagrams, and I consider it to be the best program in this genre of software.
When you first open SmartDraw 2008, you are greeted by a wizard, one of those dialog boxes on steroids that helps newbies to get started with a complex program. This wizard contains numerousa types of diagram templates from which you can choose. I spent a few minutes looking through these selections, but didn’t find one that seemed to meet my needs.
So I experimented a bit. I chose one type of diagram, and immediately discovered that it only gave me access to a small fraction of the program’s extensive symbol libraries. There didn’t seem to be any option to exit out of this filtered set of resources. So I was forced to exit the program, reopen it and try a different type of diagram. No luck.
Next, I looked for a menu selection or button that would allow me to exit out of this wizard and create a blank diagram, with full access to all of SmartDraw’s libraries and resources. Maybe I’m missing something, but I wasn’t able to find one. In desparation, I clicked on the big round button that is the anchor of SmartDraw’s ribbon toolbar – unfortunately, the only command that wasn’t grayed out was "open." I couldn’t even use it to create a new, blank document! So I finally gave up in frustration, and used another program to create my diagram.
SmartDraw.com has done very well over the years by catering to the needs of people who occasionally need to create colorful, memorable diagrams. Historically, it’s ease-of-use has been unrivaled by any program in the business drawing arena, in my opinion. But I’m afraid that this time they’ve gone too far. Here’s what I mean:
Developers of graphical programs face a unique challenge: they need to make their applications easy enough for first-time users to get things done without becoming overwhelmed, while at the same time meeting the needs of their more experienced users. Microsoft Publisher does this well. When you start up this popular desktop publishing program, it displays an extensive wizard that helps you to select from literally hundreds of possible projects, with thumbnail images of each choice. But – and this is the important part – it also provides a command called "create a blank publication," which more experienced users can utilize to exit from the wizard and create their own publication from scratch. That’s what’s missing from SmartDraw 2008. Or if it is there, it needs to be made more obvious.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not out to trash SmartDraw. I just felt hog-tied by this program, which really limited my options and made it impossible to meet my needs!
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Joshua Platt · 891 weeks ago
Disclaimer : I am the product manager for SmartDraw. I agree with your request for a "open blank" in the SmartDraw button at the top of the ribbon. If you have any questions (or other suggestions) feel free to contact me.
Stéphane Berg · 891 weeks ago
I found SmartDraw's workflow to be way too inflexible and had a hard time figuring out the type of base diagram I should use. I needed to create Web site Information Architecture diagrams and the obvious Web category wasn't helping me much. The Org Chart one yielded better results but it seemed I had to fight with the app every step of the way.
The kicker for me was when I realised that SmartDraw didn't support multiple pages in the traditional sense at least because, the multiple pages implementation it has is to "spread" large diagrams over a larger area. That is not what I needed. The other thing is that I really didn't have time to figure most of this out during the ridiculously short 7 days trial so I bought it on faith after dicussing various issues with SmartDraw people but realized after a while that it wouldn't suit my needs.
The one other thing that really bothered me with it is that, eventhough it exports to a variety of formats, it does so by embedding a bitmap image of your diagram into the various file formats it exports to. I needed at least links to work in PDFs and would have expected export to Office files to translate SmartDraw shapes to Office editable drawing shapes but it didn't.
To be fair though, I really think that professional designers like me are not SmartDraw's intended audience. Some of the things I found to be irritants are probably things a regular office worker would appreciate. I also have to say that the customer service SMartDraw provided was excellent. It's just the 7 days trial I don't get... ;-)
SmartDraw 2009 features advanced PowerPoint integration - Mind Mapping Software Blog
VINCE SANTONI · 852 weeks ago
VINCE SANTONI · 852 weeks ago
Mino · 813 weeks ago
1. You cannot use it's extensive library, because even for simple use those templates almost never fit your needs. You have to modify them extensively.
2. Graphics exported to Powerpoint slow down the Powerpoint presentation considerably. Sometimes it takes ages to transfer a complex graphic to Powerpoint. SmartDraw generated Powerpoint presentations are VERY slow. Perhaps too slow on older hardware.
3. The interface seems to be intuitive, but it isn't, as some readers already commented on. Simple things like producing a mindmap are way better solved in freeware applications like freemind.
4. I thought I could set up a mindmap consisting of my slides for the eventual Powerpoint presentation and export them with just one click. That would be great. Because you have one place (SmartDraw) with all your slides, being able to drag them around, update them in a preparation for a lecture and then, with just one click, export them (or a selection of this mindmap) to Powerpoint. It is impossible.
5. The storyboard feature is pointing in the right direction, however, a story board is not as powerful as a mindmap. So SmartDraw will screw up your workflow.
6. As the author of the article already said, when it comes to speed, you should avoid SmartDraw. It has a steep learning curve. You have to invest much more time to produce a presentation with SmartDraw than with PowerPoint alone.
7. If you are a beginner, don't even think of improving your Powerpoint presentations with SmartDraw! You probably have to become a master of this piece of software while you should be a master of your presentation topic. You waste precious time with SmartDraw you could invest in a better preparation for your talk. At least I have most often not enough time to fight with software monsters.
After half a year of using (trying to use) SmartDraw I found myself generating new presentations with Powerpoint, not SmartDraw. I had also tried MindManager and got frustrated producing Powerpoint presentation with it, too. I have to look on for something like "PowerMap" or "TreePoint"...
Mino