|
Add-ins
ConceptDraw
Reviewed by Geetesh Bajaj,
May 17th 2005 - discuss
this review...
Introduction
About ConceptDraw
Download and Installation
Using ConceptDraw
Pricing and Support
Conclusion
Introduction
Although PowerPoint has a plethora of options
as far as creating info graphics is concerned, there are umpteen
ways of making better
info graphics outside PowerPoint. Microsoft offers Visio as an interesting
option – but then Visio is an enterprise level product more
geared towards large organizations rather than everyday PowerPoint
users. If you identify with this situation and want a product with
a reasonable amount of choices and possibilities, you might want
to look at ConceptDraw. In addition, ConceptDraw is more integrated
with PowerPoint than you thought.
Back
About ConceptDraw
ConceptDraw comes from Computer Systems Odessa, a company that’s
based out of Odessa, Ukraine. Apart from ConceptDraw,
the company also makes other products like Aha!Game and Alchemist.
For
more information
on their products, take a look at their site…
ConceptDraw itself is more of a range of products rather than a
single product. The range includes ConceptDraw Professional, the
flagship product and several offerings for vertical markets like
ConceptDraw MINDMAP, ConceptDraw Project, ConceptDraw Reporter and
ConceptDraw MEDICAL. They also create the ConceptDraw Presenter and
ConceptDraw Server products.
In addition, you can download some freeware like the ConceptDraw
Viewer and the ConceptDraw – Visio converter.
My contact at Computer Systems Odessa was Zubaryeva Elena - I wish
to thank Zubaryeva for the coordination and support.
Back
Download and Installation
You can download the thirty day trial version of ConceptDraw from
their web site that functions similar to their full product.
Installation is a quick affair that creates a new group in your
Windows Start Menu. Click the ConceptDraw icon to fire up the program.
The program has a clean and intuitive interface – and plenty
of sample drawings and templates that you can adapt to suit your
requirements.
Back
Using ConceptDraw
ConceptDraw follows a predictable usage workflow.
You drag out a few symbols from a library and then use connectors
to build relationships.
There is so much you can do in terms of formatting – the fills
are gorgeous and there are umpteen line options too.
However,
that’s the predictable part. From a PowerPoint user’s
perspective, the best feature has to be the amazing PowerPoint export
feature that lets you create a new presentation from your ConceptDraw
document. Just choose the File | Export | Microsoft PowerPoint option
to export your drawing to a new PowerPoint presentation. Each component
of the drawing in ConceptDraw like a rectangle or connector translates
to an individual shape in PowerPoint. This is an amazing feature
that’s very well implemented.
Apart from PowerPoint, ConceptDraw also allows you to export the
drawings to several other file formats including Flash, EPS, PDF
and several graphic file formats.
Back
Pricing and Support
ConceptDraw Professional is priced at US$299 for either the Windows
or Mac versions – these are the electronic download rates.
Box packs cost an additional US$50. Volume discounts and academic
pricing is also available.
Support options include online FAQs and tutorials. You can also
contact the support team through a feedback form on the site.
Back
Conclusion
At its price point, ConceptDraw provides amazing value. Its cross
platform existence will provide more justification to end users who
need to work often on both the Windows and Mac platforms.
I love the PowerPoint export feature – this option is something
that no other similar product offers.
Back
|
