Editor's Note: I recently had an opportunity to download and
review the latest version of Edge Diagrammer (May 2002), and can
honestly say this great tool keeps getting better.
There are many new features and functions added to this already great
product, and as a whole, any minor bugs have been resolved.
Some of the more helpful new features include a new diagram wizard and the
ability to add hyperlinks to web pages from within your flowcharts. Read the
full review for details.
Over the years I have worked with a variety of diagramming and flowcharting packages
including Harvard Graphics, Freelance Graphics, Powerpoint, Chartist, OrgChart, and Visio.
Most of these are presentation packages masquerading as true flowcharting software. The
most popular of these is Visio, but so help me, over the years it has gotten bigger and
more complex to the point where I find it quite cumbersome to design a simple flowchart.
Which is why I want to introduce you to Edge Diagrammer from Pacestar Software. A few weeks ago, I started searching
for something better than Visio. Something that was feature rich, but easy to use, and
economically priced. Imagine my surprise and elation when I discovered Pacestar Software
and their product.
The first thing you'll notice when you launch Edge Diagrammer is that it is about as
intuitive as it gets. You click on a shape, drag it on over, and then right click on the
shape to customize it (shadows, colors, fonts, etc.).
Connecting two shapes is equally easy. You click on the type of line you need (or
customize your own); click on one shape; click on another; and they are instantly
connected. Edge works logically the way you do. If you want to move a shape, you simply
drag it, and the lines will expand or contract with you. If you need to move a block of
shapes, the lines will also move accordingly. From a charting perspective, this tool has
it all.
But the product does much more. Once the free 30 day demo has been registered, you can
download additional templates and sample libraries. The benefit here is that these symbol
libraries include icons for network and LAN drawings. Many packages sell similar symbol
libraries at an additional cost. Here it is included for nothing. And the symbol library
covers both data, electrical and phone networks.
All of this sounds great, but there is actually a neater feature I haven't even
mentioned yet. Have you ever created a flowchart and wanted to send it to others who did
not have that diagramming package to view it? Situations like this pop up all the time in
business, and the only way around it is to first go out and buy Adobe Acrobat or start
faxing -- and fine lined diagrams never fax well.
Pacestar
Software, though, has a solution: they have built their own software diagram
reader. With it, anyone can view or print your diagram files. So now you can distribute
your diagrams and flowcharts with the bundled reader, and everyone can view and print the
files. Invaluable. This shows tremendous thought on their part.
In addition to Edge Diagrammer, Pacestar Software also has a similar low-end product
called WizFlow. Frankly, though, my bet is that once you see the Edge, you'll want a
competitive edge, and buy Edge Diagrammer
like thousands already have.
Edge Diagrammer
