SmartDraw 2009 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was lucky to stumble on Smart Draw. Once I discovered the richness and ease of use and its depth, plus (I guess) with 100 times as many templates as Visio plus really fine detailed clip art (I know its over at least 10,000 pieces,) I was hooked. I have been using Smart draw since I think 2000 or so.

I was/am sort of a Visio expert before it was purchased by Microsoft long ago. And I loved Visio - imperfections and all. But after discovering Smart Draw (the 1st true non Microsoft application that integrated itself into all the application in Microsoft Office)I did 90% of my work with it instead of Visio. It saved me time and gave me superior flexibility.

Yes I still use Visio (Smart Draw can even import VSS files) including vs. 2007, and I have upgraded Smart Draw to every new version since. They get better and better.
Unlike Visio, SD's training and examples are fantastic as is their really fine support. AND NO I DO NOT HAVE ANY RELATIONSHIP WHATSOEVER with Smart Draw.
When they branched out with their medical extension, I checked it out. Doctors should grab it! I have several great docs as clients and GAVE them gifts of the Smart Draw Medical version. Why? Many use it for training or customizing the incredible template/clip art collection for virtually any disease. Its great for showing patients custom pictures of procedures as well as an awesome adjunct for use (my orthpod does a lot of professional peer training) for training.
Unfortunately the one thing I don't like at all about Smart Draw is that it morphed when Office 2007 came out with that d__m ribbon! I hate that ribbon. But SD 2009 is still incredibly easy to use. You can even create your own Smart Draw library from your own art with its easy import tool.
If you are wise you will buy the packaged version, rather than download it. When you download it all of the templates do not come with it. Just images. if you use a new template, frequently it must be added by downloading. A real pain. SD used to offer the ability to download all the art, butt its hard to do now. But absent those two issues, Smart Draw rocks! I understand its legal version is as good as its medical one. Lawyers and police appear to really love it.


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SmartDraw 2010 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great drawing package. I've used Visio before, and SmartDraw can go toe-to-toe with it. Visio has some automation features which can be nice if you have all of the MS suite of tools plugged in with it, but if you are creating a drawing from scratch, this product is extremely friendly to use.
I needed to create a flowchart (which was 12 pages written) and this tool made it very easy to put it all together quickly. It has way more templates than I'll ever use (everything from landscaping and blueprints to mind maps, etc.
I use it for network diagrams and flowcharts mostly, but have been extremely happy with how easy it is to use and share documents. Thumbs up!

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SmartDraw 2007 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The other reviews you read here will tell you all the good points about this program. The only reason I gave this program a 3 star rating is due to lack of help documentation and no searchable index for topics. One very SECRET way of finding help on their website is to use their SEARCH bar and type in the term you need help with. Typing ROTATE will get you all kinds of material. This is good but if I did not tell you, you would never have known about this! SmartDraw does not make it clear or easy for you to get help.
Example - You want to learn how to ROTATE a group of objects on the screen. Good luck. You won't find any help in the users guide or online at the website. This is a program that you really do have to roll up your sleeves and bleed a bit to learn it. Many features are easy and quick to learn. Many features will make you go crazy due to lack of documentation.
Also, I give this company a thumbs down for not having a user's forum on their website. A user forum would help other SmartDraw users to help each other and share ideas, templates, etc. SmartDraw claims to have over 10 million copies downloaded. I will be very conservative and assume they have at least 250,000 paying customers. I certainly would want to keep 250,000 people happy by creating a forum for them.
Instead of providing great documentation and guidance, SmartDraw takes the easy way out. They have tons of links to OTHER websites! HA! Talk about letting others carry your water for you!
Overall, SmartDraw 2007 is a great program. Visio 2007 Professional definitely is the clear winner and it is also twice the price of SmartDraw 2007. SmartDraw also requires fewer resources and is not as intrusive.
If you're a hobbyist or a bit of a regular user for work reasons, this program will be a smart purchase. If you due charts, diagrams, etc all the time...you will definitely benefit from buying Visio 2007 Professional.

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