YEd Graph Editor
YEd is a desktop application designed to efficiently and easily create quality diagrams. Users are able to create diagrams manually as well as import outside data sets for easy analysis. yEd has automatic algorithms for the layout that can arrange data sets of all sizes with just one click. yEd is available to use for free. It is a multi-platform graphic editor and is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. yEd has several key features that make it ideal for both personal and professional use. You can easily import data from an external Excel spreadsheet with a .xls format, or you can import data stored in XML files. The intuitive user interface is easy to learn and allows you to create diagrams without the need for complex technical expertise. You can automatically arrange your diagram's elements to make them easier to read. And finally, you can export your vector and bitmap graphics as JPG, PNG, SWF, SVG, and PDF files. yEd supports a vast range of diagram types. It first and foremost supports illustrated visual-based diagrams, but it's also capable of supporting mind maps, organization charts, Entity Relationship diagrams, swimlane diagrams, and more. Any organizational diagram you can think of is supported by the yEd framework. yEd also comes with a large number of support resources. The yEd manual teaches you everything you need to know about the system and how to use it to its fullest capability. There's a Q&A forum set up by the developers for questions you can't find answers to in the manual. And there's a video tutorial set up that teaches you about the key features and how to customize the software to suit your unique projects.
- A variety of edge types and shape nodes
- Expandable and collapsible group nodes that nest to organize larger data sets
- UML elements
- BPMN symbols used in business process diagrams
- Crow's foot connections and entity relationship symbols
- Flowchart symbols
- Computer network and people symbols
- Clear labeling including multi-line text, icons, and HTML
- Easy importing of external data
- Intuitive user interface minimizes the learning curve
- A user-ready palette allows you to customize your diagram's appearance
- Data is displayed clearly with customizable display features
- Data is automatically organized
- Diagrams can be exported to a variety of file types
- The program's sophistication level may be difficult for diagramming newcomers to learn
- Customization options are somewhat limited
- There's only one current tutorial available rather than several in depth ones