This blog post announces the Mermaid Chart VS Code plugin, a tool that simplifies creating and editing Mermaid.js diagrams directly within Visual Studio Code. The plugin provides live preview rendering, allowing users to see their diagram update in real-time as they edit the Mermaid.js code. It also offers features like syntax highlighting, linting for error detection, and autocompletion to streamline the diagram creation process. The plugin aims to make working with Mermaid.js diagrams more efficient and integrated within the VS Code environment.
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 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 blog post "Common mistakes in architecture diagrams (2020)" identifies several pitfalls that make diagrams ineffective. These include using inconsistent notation and terminology, lacking clarity on the intended audience and purpose, including excessive detail that obscures the key message, neglecting important elements, and poor visual layout. The post emphasizes the importance of using the right level of abstraction for the intended audience, focusing on the key message the diagram needs to convey, and employing clear, consistent visuals. It advocates for treating diagrams as living documents that evolve with the architecture, and suggests focusing on the "why" behind architectural decisions to create more insightful and valuable diagrams.
HN commenters largely agreed with the author's points on diagram clarity, with several sharing their own experiences and preferences. Some emphasized the importance of context and audience when choosing a diagram style, noting that highly detailed diagrams can be overwhelming for non-technical stakeholders. Others pointed out the value of iterative diagramming and feedback, suggesting sketching on a whiteboard first to get early input. A few commenters offered additional tips like using consistent notation, avoiding unnecessary jargon, and ensuring diagrams are easily searchable and accessible. There was some discussion on specific tools, with Excalidraw and PlantUML mentioned as popular choices. Finally, several people highlighted the importance of diagrams not just for communication, but also for facilitating thinking and problem-solving.
Obsidian-textgrams is a plugin that allows users to create and embed ASCII diagrams directly within their Obsidian notes. It leverages code blocks and a custom renderer to display the diagrams, offering features like syntax highlighting and the ability to store diagram source code within the note itself. This provides a convenient way to visualize information using simple text-based graphics within the Obsidian environment, eliminating the need for external image files or complex drawing tools.
HN users generally expressed interest in the Obsidian Textgrams plugin, praising its lightweight approach compared to alternatives like Excalidraw or Mermaid. Some suggested improvements, including the ability to embed rendered diagrams as images for compatibility with other Markdown editors, and better text alignment within shapes. One commenter highlighted the usefulness for quickly mocking up system designs or diagrams, while another appreciated its simplicity for note-taking. The discussion also touched upon alternative tools like PlantUML and Graphviz, but the consensus leaned towards appreciating Textgrams' minimalist and fast rendering capabilities within Obsidian. A few users expressed interest in seeing support for more complex shapes and connections.
Summary of Comments ( 51 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43558517
Hacker News users generally expressed positive sentiment towards the Mermaid Chart VS Code plugin. Several commenters appreciated the convenience and improved workflow it offered for creating and editing diagrams directly within VS Code. Some highlighted specific features they found useful, such as live preview and syntax highlighting. A few users mentioned alternative tools they preferred, like PlantUML and Excalidraw, but acknowledged the plugin's value for those already working within the Mermaid.js ecosystem. One commenter noted the benefit of having diagrams as code, enabling version control and collaborative editing. There was also a brief discussion regarding the licensing of the plugin and the underlying Mermaid.js library.
The Hacker News post discussing the Mermaid Chart VS Code plugin has a modest number of comments, focusing primarily on existing alternatives and some limitations of the plugin.
Several commenters pointed out the existence of Markdown Preview Enhanced, another VS Code extension that supports Mermaid.js rendering among other features. This sparked a small discussion about the relative merits of each, with some users suggesting Markdown Preview Enhanced as a more comprehensive solution due to its wider feature set beyond just Mermaid diagrams. However, proponents of the dedicated Mermaid Chart plugin emphasized its focused approach and potentially better performance or specific features tailored to Mermaid.js workflows. A nuance mentioned is that the Mermaid Chart plugin allows "live editing" within the editor itself, potentially streamlining the diagram creation process.
Another point raised was the desire for a web-based Mermaid.js editor with similar live editing capabilities, independent of a specific IDE like VS Code. This suggests a preference among some users for a more platform-agnostic solution.
Finally, at least one commenter noted that the Mermaid Chart VS Code plugin doesn't seem to support all Mermaid.js features, specifically mentioning sequence diagrams with loops. This highlights that while the plugin offers a convenient way to work with Mermaid.js within VS Code, it might not be fully feature-complete for all use cases.