This software advertises itself as "The World's Most Popular Business Graphics Software". This is a believable statement because it is so vast and just so easy to use. Not only that, but your drawings can be exported to any Microsoft Office program. Your PowerPoint presentations will never be the same again. And ... you can create PDF documents in a flash.
What Can SmartDraw 2008 Do for Me?
Here is just a short selection of the many features and types of graphics you can create in SmartDraw 2008 -
- can convert any graphic you create to PDF
- will export to any Microsoft Office product as a graphic image
- every imaginable chart type
- family tree
- floor plan
- math worksheets
- flowcharts
- calendars
- certificates
- flyers
- landscape plans
- maps
- marketing charts
- network designs
- org charts
- retail merchandising charts
- timelines
- webpage layouts
How Do You Use SmartDraw 2008?
The huge library of symbols from dress forms to math symbols to shrubbery are conveniently located with whatever template you open, but you can access any library of symbols for any project.
Want a new kitchen? Use this program to design a floor plan for your home or business and ... while you are at it, plan out the landscaping at the same time. Then create a webpage layout to advertise your business.
SmartDraw 2008 In Business
All sorts of interesting and unique charts can be created in a few short minutes, from strategy maps to pyramid charts to many different matrix charts to timelines. Different flow charts and mind maps break down the thinking process into small steps. Copy a selection of data from an Excel spreadsheet and paste it into a new chart. You can also import spreadsheet data if it has been saved in a .CSV file format. Either way, SmartDraw will create the new chart using your Excel data.SmartDraw 2008 in the Classroom
Create math worksheets, learn about astronomy, the periodic table, build science diagrams or use all the existing templates and drawings already created. The new Live Maps feature captures Google maps and all the data, as well as including GPS coordinates and zip code boundaries. The software is so fun to use that students will not even realize they are learning at the same time.
Possible Improvements for the Next Version
I was hard pressed to find something to criticize in this software. I do think though, that perhaps the designers might consider expanding on the mapping section in the next version. It is focused mainly on the U.S., so it would be nice to see more detailed maps of other countries and examples for those too.
Additional Versions of SmartDraw 2008
Aside from the most common version of SmartDraw, they offer a SmartDraw Healthcare Edition and a SmartDraw Legal Edition for those select professions. SmartDraw is also available as an Educational version at discounted rates for teachers, students and educational institutions.
Official SmartDraw Blog
Once you are hooked on using SmartDraw, check out the Official SmartDraw Blog. Lots of interesting ideas and tips for using SmartDraw.
System Requirements
IBM-compatible PC with Windows® Vista, XP or 2000256MB RAM
3GB free hard disk space
