Customer Reviews

SmartDraw 2009

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON SMARTDRAW LIKE I DID!!!

If you want to experience frustration with a tool that consistently behaves badly, spend $200 on Smartdraw. I've had it nearly a year now and have found it to be generally non-configurable (take a look at the Options settings -- there are a whopping six of them!) and forces you to do what it wants you to do at almost every turn. Try making a flow chart -- connecting the symbols with lines frequently results in non-orthoganol lines that pass through the symbols creating a visual mess. Add text to connectors -- IT decides where the text goes -- not you. Few things are intuitive. Symbols and lines may or may not stay on grid. Symbols cannot be globally resized. Automatic symbol resizing cannot be disabled, so you end up with inconsistently sized decision blocks, etc., for a really crappy looking diagram. And, there is no way to specify the default font size; if you want to use a different sized text other than their default 10 point, you'll be changing it almost everytime after you've entered the text.

I've had experience with CAD and drawing/publishing programs (AutoCAD, Corel, Solidworks, OrCAD, MS Publisher) and all of them generally behave well with an occasional aggravation, but Smartdraw will try your patience and leave you worn out after using it a couple of hours.

I'm very pleased with the new features of SmartDraw 2009. I'm a meeting facilitator and trainer. I use SmartDraw to create all kind of graphics for my sessions and to summarize and clarify meeting discussions and decisions. I'm especially happy to have all the new, useful templates for Strategic Planning such as the force field analysis, goals grid and steps charts.

The feature that I most appreciate is the new interactivity with PowerPoint that allows me to export my SmartDraw graphics into animated PowerPoint slides. I almost always want to show audiences flow charts in step-wise fashion and this new feature makes that very easy!

I love the SmartDraw product but I really love their technical assistance. I've never had to wait in the queue more than a couple of minutes and their staff really know their stuff. Above all, I've never had one get that fake-friendly tone in their voice that implies that you're a pain and they can't wait to get you off the phone.

Good product, great service and a reasonable price! That's why SmartDraw is one of the most frequently used programs on my desktop.

I was able to walk right into using the program to help me add more services to my business. This is a very user-friendly program (not like it's main competitor that is more complicated), and addresses any needs I have.

The company also sends out lots of tips and tricks, as well as information on how to market your services using the product--a great added value for the product. HIGHLY recommend it!

Jody Owen,
Workplace Transformation Specialist
The Space You're In (www.thespaceyourein.com)

I tried the SmartDraw trial version first. It is the first software tool I have used in a LONG time that was easy to use right from the start. The initial set of templates is a big help and also gives you a solid overview of what this tool can do. I was so impressed I bought the full product within a day of starting the trial.

The Web Site diagram capability alone is worth the price. The software will BUILD a site diagram for you on the fly if you give it a URL (online or your hard drive). A great time-saver.

The diagrams are much more professional-looking than those I do with PowerPoint or other graphics tools. I highly recommend this product.

This is one of the best products I have used, well worth every penny you spend on it. I use it for business and personal, because of its flexibility and ease of use. I highly recommend this product to anyone in need of this type of software

It may be that I simply do not "connect" with the mind-set of the author of this software, but I can't accomplish anything productive while using it. To me it is comparable to having sex while wearing 5 condoms - frustrating! Add to that what I consider to be their mis-representation regarding their ability to read Visio files. (We can read them if it is installed on your computer. Duh, so why do I want your software??? And to have some arrogant twits tell me that if I read the 16th sub-bullet of a license agreement buried on the 12th page of the end of tomorrow, I would know this! I'm sorry, be honest with your customers.) I am forced to conclude that this company is guilty of gross mis-representation, and should be forced to file for bankruptcy in the near future. Run like the Wind! Don't waste your money!

And FYI I generally am predisposed to recommend any non-Microsoft product if at all possible! And also, FWIW I have worked with computers since 1971. Perhaps I'm such an old fart that I do not recognize their brilliance.

I have been an active Smartdraw user since about 2001 or so and I love each new iteration of it. I am a business consultant. When I review a client's situation and have to present my findings and recommendations to them, they love the simple and intuitive layout of my material.

Smartdraw's excellent tools and templates have allowed me to do everything from add flowcharts and diagrams to business plans for companies looking for over $15 million in funding (successfully) to making CEO/CFO level presentations in order to help management teams find their way in this troubled time.

Thank you Smartdraw! I can honestly say that many of the referrals I get come from the effectiveness of the presentation tools that Smartdraw has built-in. You've helped me build my business!

I was searching for a traditional cad program, such as AUTOcad LT to produce P&ID drawings and other things for work at home, and a textbook I'm trying to write. I looked at them all, and was about to buy Visio. However, I came across SmartDraw 2009. I downloaded the free trial, and was HOOKED. I had to have it!

Then I discovered the library, and everything possible already in there, plus the ability to add and link "stuff."

I'm working on some items illustrating the design, operation, specification of small unfired pressure vessels to help young engineers in design and drawing layout and presentation.

We run a small business on the side and occasionally we need to put flowcharts in our manuals. I went on line found Smart Draw used the introductory section and within 15 minutes I made the chart we desperately needed. No Training to use the program it was that easy. I bought the program and when I am not using it for work I use it to chart my family ancestry. It was also easy to convert my work on Smart Draw into a program that I could easily send via email to my client.