Diagram Designer

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET staff on June 03, 2009

Diagram Designer provides users with an opportunity to quickly design simple flow charts, which should appeal to business people. Though it has a snag with its text feature, the program's simplicity makes it a more attractive choice than other similar programs.

This download has an incredibly simple interface that should not take much getting used to, no matter what level of user you are. Happily, there are Help files on the Internet and within the program. One interface complaint comes from its ability to fill charts with color, since the palette is slightly hidden along the top. However, users will gravitate toward the simple click-and-drag shapes and arrows that will comprise their diagrams. The diagrams were simple to create and adjust if mistakes were made. With a variety of shapes and arrows, even the most complex business flow chart or organizational map can be laid out and labeled on the fly, unlike similar downloads. Our only gripe was with labeling--if users wish to add bold, italic or other font enhancements it must be done using a form of HTML code, which complicates matters for users used to clicking a button for such changes.

However, we felt this freeware program's text snag was easy to overlook since Diagram Designer created our chart much easier than similar products we've tested in the past. We recommend this program for anyone who needs diagrams in a hurry.