The original poster is seeking recommendations for diagram creation tools, specifically for software architecture diagrams and other technical illustrations. They desire a tool that balances ease of use with the ability to produce visually appealing and professional results. They're open to both cloud-based and locally installed options, and ideally the tool would support exporting to standard formats like SVG or PNG. The poster's current workflow involves using PlantUML but finds it cumbersome for creating presentable diagrams, prompting their search for a more user-friendly alternative.
The Hacker News post titled "Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?" poses a question to the community regarding their preferred tools and methods for diagram creation. The author seeks recommendations for software or other resources suitable for generating various types of diagrams, expressing a particular interest in tools that excel at producing visually appealing and readily understandable diagrams. They implicitly suggest a desire for tools that might streamline the diagramming process, making it efficient and perhaps even enjoyable. The nature of the diagrams sought is left open-ended, implying an interest in tools with versatility and broad application, potentially encompassing flowcharts, network diagrams, system architectures, mind maps, or other visual representations of information. The author's focus on aesthetics and clarity suggests a need for tools that facilitate the creation of diagrams that are not only informative but also effectively communicate complex ideas in a visually compelling manner. This open-ended inquiry invites community members to share their experiences and insights regarding the diverse landscape of diagramming tools available, encompassing both established software and potentially lesser-known but powerful alternatives. The author's underlying goal is to discover the optimal tools for crafting clear and aesthetically pleasing diagrams, presumably to enhance communication and understanding in their own work or projects.
Summary of Comments ( 14 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43343473
The Hacker News comments discuss a variety of diagramming tools, ranging from simple and free options like Excalidraw, PlantUML, and Draw.io to more powerful and specialized tools like Mermaid, Graphviz, and OmniGraffle. Many commenters emphasize the importance of choosing a tool based on the specific use case, considering factors like ease of use, collaboration features, output formats, and cost. Several users advocate for text-based diagramming tools for their version control friendliness, while others prefer visual tools for their intuitive interfaces. The discussion also touches on specific needs like network diagrams, sequence diagrams, and flowcharts, with recommendations for tools tailored to each. Some comments highlight the benefits of cloud-based vs. locally installed tools, and the tradeoffs between simplicity and feature richness.
The Hacker News post "Ask HN: What do you use to create diagrams?" generated a robust discussion with a variety of suggestions for diagramming tools. Several commenters emphasized the importance of choosing a tool based on the specific type of diagram needed, as different tools excel in different areas.
One recurring theme was the popularity of Excalidraw for its simplicity and ease of use, especially for quick sketches and informal diagrams. Commenters praised its hand-drawn aesthetic and collaborative features. A few users specifically mentioned using Excalidraw for sketching out system architectures and UI mockups. Related to this, some users suggested tools like PlantUML and Mermaid, which allow for generating diagrams from text-based descriptions, a useful feature for version control and dynamic updates.
Another popular category of tools were those focusing on more polished and professional diagrams, such as draw.io (now diagrams.net), Lucidchart, and Miro. These were often recommended for situations requiring more formal presentations or complex visualizations. Some comments highlighted specific features, like draw.io's offline capabilities and integration with Google Drive, and Miro's collaborative features.
Several niche tools were also mentioned, catering to specific needs. For example, Graphviz was recommended for visualizing graphs and networks, while Omnigraffle received praise for its precision and power, albeit at a higher price point. Other suggestions included specialized tools for specific domains like infrastructure diagrams (Cloudcraft, Terraform) or network diagrams.
A few comments focused on the process of diagram creation rather than specific tools. One commenter emphasized the importance of starting with pen and paper before moving to digital tools, while another suggested considering the target audience and the purpose of the diagram when choosing a tool.
The discussion also touched on the challenges of maintaining and updating diagrams, with some commenters lamenting the tendency for diagrams to become outdated. This reinforces the earlier points about choosing tools that integrate well with existing workflows and allow for easy updates.
Overall, the comments section provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse landscape of diagramming tools, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each and offering practical advice for choosing the right tool for the job. The discussion emphasizes that the best tool depends heavily on the specific context, including the type of diagram, the intended audience, and the user's personal preferences.