Need an Alternative to Visio

Check out smartdraw, its much cheaper than visio and is surprisingly very good. Granted I still like some things better in the latest version of visio, but smartdraw is easier to work with and still very capable. I created blueprints of our two-story office building using only smartdraw, I also did all network documentation with smartdraw -- until only very recently when I got afforded Visio 2003 by my employer.

I *think* smartdraw can read visio files but I'm not sure if you save a smartdraw file into visio format.

smartdraw.com

.
Getting a good graphics program for free? I don't think you'll have much luck.

If you want something that's pretty good, you'll have to spend some money. I might suggest looking for AutoCAD LT on ebay.

The retail value of AutoCAD is in the $3,500 range. The retail value of AutoCAD LT is in the $500 range. The primary difference is that the light version (LT) doesn't allow the customization that the full-blown AutoCAD allows. However, there's a work-around for that as well, but not a free work-around. There's an Australian company that markets an add-on called, LT Toolkit with LISP. It works pretty well, and is in the $200 range. But if you don't have the need, or the ability, to do some LISP programming to enhance the basic AutoCAD, you won't need it. And AutoCAD LT is a pretty good and reasonably priced alternative.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3771&item=7127505813&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3771&item=7127610948&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Be careful buying software on ebay, however. And if I'm not mistaken, an AutoCAD license, once purchased from Autodesk, is not "transferable" without permission from, and a fee paid to Autodesk. So if you buy it this way, you may not be able to buy subsequent upgrades. (But maybe not, I've not read the whole license agreements lately.) But if you do buy it, you can sure install it and use it -- as long as the Serial Number, CD-Key, and authorization code are all included.

I suppose you could also buy Visio on ebay, for that matter.

Its possible that MS put out a student version of Visio - student edition software normally has complete functionality - you just can not upgrade to a new version from it. Student software is normally much lower in price than off the shelf versions - but you will need a student ID. Check your school's book store or a computer software vendor like CompUSA or Circuit City.

How long do you need to be able to use Visio?

You can get a 30 day trial version from Microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/visio/prodinfo/trial.mspx

If you time your installation right, it may be a work around.

Chas

It's not free (well unless you find it on a coverdisk like I did) but this also gives a 30day trial - so, again of you time it right you got 60 days to play with.

http://www.conceptdraw.com/

Check with your school (bookstore?) to see if they have MS products discounted for students. I am currently enrolled at University of Phoenix Online and they offered MS Visio for $40 (plus S&H).

-Tom

Thanks to all who posted. I did check with my school bookstore and they do not offer it. Even checked with my professor and he told me that he was going to allow enough time in classes to complete the projects. Once again thanks for posting.

We are seeing lots of former Visio users trying SmartDraw 2007, because it is cheaper, easier to use, and makes better looking graphics. There is a free trial at http://www.SmartDraw.com

It was similar enough to Visio. Easy to create flowcharts, org charts, uml diagrams, network diagrams. There are more cliparts in the software. It's rather a lightweight yet incredibly powerful diagramming tool. Learn more at http://www.edrawsoft.com

http://www.osalt.com/visio

check the above link, it recommends quite a few of them

Hi
I prefer to use ms visio 2007 for drawing complex diagrams and the most professionals prefer the same. However I'd suggest you to use free visio trial, add-ins, tools available at Visiotoolbox. Check this http://visiotoolbox.com/Downloads/

I personally use LucidChart as my Visio alternative. Fraction of the price (or even a free account to give it a spin) and offers additional features like real-time collaboration.

http://www.lucidchart.com

www.mxgraph.com is a similar concept, except entirely free for all features, no login or regsitration, local load/save possible, no nagging to sign up, etc.

http://my.origramy.com/ - is another free online alternative to MS Visio in terms of diagram building, web page prototyping, mind-mapping and some other graphic options.

I'm searching an information in web regarding Visio alternatives.
Since we do migrate on Macs in my company (which are good news), I must to accept the fact of new tool (which is not very easy for some people).
But looks like there are several good analogues. I've already tried [b]Omnigraffle[/b] and [b]www.Conceptdraw.com PRO[/b] and second looks ideal for me and my team, because there still we be several Windows users and Conceptdraw supports both Mac&PC, also because of very professional templates and free Visio conceror service in PRO.
Thanks a lot to everyone.

I use creately its a decent visio alternative I use it for all of my AIO diagramming purposes

[quote]http://Creately.com[/quote]