A newer version of SmartDraw 2009 is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- Average user rating: stars out of 127 votes Back to product review
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User reviews
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6 out of 12 people found this review helpful
2 stars
Version: SmartDraw 2009 7.61
Pros: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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5 stars
Version: SmartDraw 2009 2008.3
"A great program - a "must have" on my computer!"
Pros: SmartDraw has been a 'must have' for me for many years, since version 3 or 4. I wouldn't be without it for creating all the different diagrams I need for business or personal use - whether simple or complex. It integrates very well with Office programs, and provides a MUCH easier way of working with shapes, arrows and labels! I used to become very tired of chasing objects that wouldn't stay connected to one another in an office program - or constantly using the "Group" and "UnGroup" features every time I wanted to move or edit items. That nightmare disappeared with my first purchase of SmatDraw - and I have continued to be delighted with the program since I first began using it.
In relation specifically to SmartDraw 2008, particularly if you're using one of the earlier versions, there are several changes to navigation etc - eg the 'ribbon' toolbar. Here are the main things I've noticed from my own use of this version:
1) The program loads much more quickly than SD 2007, and operation is faster too.
2) Once I got used to where the various tools and buttons are located, accessing them to insert and edit objects was much quicker than before.
3) Greater automation of both flowcharts and gantt charts has made the job of creating them so much easier and faster for me
4) The capacity to use linked mindmaps linked and gantt charts - a very handy feature!
5) Even better integration with MS Office and Acrobat - transferring SD diagrams into other programs is a real breeze!
6) Photo editing on-the-fly. Although I've not used this much yet, it has worked really well for me. I can see it's a feature I'll use regularly, saving considerable time and effort when a photo I'm including needs to be 'tweaked' - instead of having to open that file in another graphic program to do the job.
Once you get used to navigating between the various tools and features, it's even easier and more enjoyable to use than previous versions!
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5 stars
Version: SmartDraw 2009 2008.11
"A great program improved still further!"
Pros: SmartDraw 2008 provides significant improvements to an already great piece of software!
I've been a very happy user of SmartDraw for many years - since version 3.0 or 4.0. Exactly where I started with it is lost now in the mists of time and disappeared from memory. :-)
This new version provides several major changes and a number of enhancements. There is also a 'ribbon' interface, a la MS Office.
Users of earlier versions of SmartDraw (except 2007, which also had a similar look) might find the new interface takes a bit of getting used to, as I did. For example, I was initially challenged when I couldn't find the "File > Save" option in the tab menus. After some puzzlement, I clicked the red SD 2008 button at the top left - and voila! There was the File menu! A real "Duh!" moment for me. ;-)
However, even if you find there's a bit of a learning curve with navigation, the new features and enhancements make the effort well worth it! For example:
1) The program loads much more quickly than SD 2007, and operation is faster too.
2) Once I got used to where the various tools and buttons are located, accessing them to insert and edit objects was much quicker than before.
3) Greater automation of both flowcharts and gantt charts has made the job of creating them so much easier and faster for me
4) The capacity to use linked mindmaps linked and gantt charts - a very handy feature!
5) Even better integration with MS Office and Acrobat - transferring SD diagrams into other programs is a real breeze!
6) Photo editing on-the-fly. Although I've not used this much yet, it has worked really well for me. I can see it's a feature I'll use regularly, saving considerable time and effort when a photo I'm including needs to be 'tweaked' - instead of having to open that file in another graphic program to do the job.
Once you get used to navigating between the various tools and features, it's even easier and more enjoyable to use than previous versions!
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
1 stars
Version: SmartDraw 2009 8.12
"Weak graphics engine, better clip art on the web"
Pros: Easy, but not really intuitive to use.
Cons: I've been using SD since version 4 and have to say that I originally loved this program. But with each version it simply gets worse and this new one caps them all.
- Much more complicated interface then ever before.
- They still can't offer semi transparent images. Even freeware's can do this.
- Still very slow.
- Clipart is weak compared to what I can get for free from many sites
- This new version is half the value at twice the price. I say this because if you check the EULA for previous versions you could use the software on two computers. Now they only allow you to use it on one. So forget installing it on your laptop to work on the road. Not even the decency to offer a discount for a second license.
- Very poor integration with images. They had actually solve this with previous version and then took it out with the new version! They fail to mention this while they spout off about all the (minor) improvements in version 8. But they will give this back to you in the future as a pay for upgrade.
- Removed Clip Art. Yep, you pay for an upgrade, or buy this version new, and you've now lost all the medical and science cliparts that were in previous versions. Want them back? Pay for one of their special versions.
In conclusion I can say that if you already have a version of Smart Draw don't waste your money on this upgrade. You'll actaully be losing features and the more complicated interface is annoying and a pain to use. If you've never bought this program spend your money on a software that offers more powerful features and get your clipart off the net. Cheaper and better for sure.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
5 stars
Version: SmartDraw 2009 9.02
"New interface is better and the bar charts ... Finally! ;-)"
Pros: I've always wanted SmartDraw to let me make better graphs than excel. They finally added bar charts, pie charts and line graphs. I already made an image chart, that's the best feature.
Cons: 9.01 had a problem, but the 9.02 fixed it!
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