SmartDraw 2009 2009.7

Word processors work wonderfully, right up until the time you need to draw a diagram to illustrate your work. SmartDraw provides a handy shortcut for anyone in this situation, offering a plethora of diagram templates and art elements that eliminate the need to start from scratch.

A huge variety of possible uses has been included, from software engineering or business modeling to anatomical illustration. Generic templates include flowcharts, organizational charts, mind maps, family trees, ER diagrams, and far more. A clip-art collection helps fill out the basic templates, and a drag-and-drop tool lets users easily add frequently used symbol combinations. The program also functions as a standalone drawing tool, supporting free-hand drawing, image layers, text, and tables. Work can be saved in a number of formats including JPEG, PDF, HTML and AutoCAD Interchange.

As a fast illustration or business tool for someone who's not doing full-blown design work, we think this program functions extraordinarily well.