By Dale Farris, Secretary
Golden Triangle PC Club
January 2003

Program Overview

EDGE Diagrammer 4.14 is a super diagramming tool. EDGE Diagrammer can create flowcharts and similar diagrams with minimal effort. As you draw your diagram, EDGE Diagrammer connects lines to figures and attaches labels to lines. It remembers these relationships and adjusts them automatically when you move objects around. It can also adjust the size of a shape when you add text to it.

EDGE also lets you define styles using hundreds of predefined drag-and-drop shapes and arrowheads. Save your styles in diagram templates to establish your own diagramming methods. EDGE Diagrammer comes with complete flowcharting templates, network diagramming templates, block diagrams, org charts, and more to get you started.

Easy To Learn and Use

EDGE Diagrammer stands out from the crowd because it can be used effectively in the first few minutes with no prior knowledge or training. It lets you create diagrams the way you think is most natural. Most tasks can be accomplished in multiple ways, so the way you prefer is usually available and does what you expect. This attention to your convenience and productivity is reflected throughout the product.

The diagram model is very simple. Add the diagram elements you want, connect them with lines or arrows, and add descriptive text. The program does the rest by keeping lines attached properly, and managing associations between shapes, lines, and text.

The program's workspace is especially designed for your ease, comfort, productivity, and enjoyment. Simple but powerful toolbars and menus keep the most frequent tasks handy. Objects most common to a specific type of diagram are available with one click from the style bar on the left of the screen. The screen shows you just what you need, exactly as it will print.

Simply drag diagram elements from the style bar and drop them into your diagram.

Edit text directly on the screen with the text tool. What you see is what you get. No need to open cumbersome dialog boxes or guess how the result will look.

Add a connector by choosing a line style and then clicking on the start and end objects.

To simplify selection of sizes, use the drop menus of pre-defined standard sizes. To select a border width for a figure, you can choose fine or heavy rather than figuring out the exact point size that will look attractive both on the screen and when printed. Of course you can select any size directly if you prefer.

What's New In Version 4.14?

Create and manipulate groups of objects (Group, Ungroup, Ungroup All, Regroup)

Containers now automatically keep objects together

Improved scrolling, smaller scrollable area (option)

Page setup screen for more conveniently setting paper size, orientation, and poster options

New option to control whether navigation (zoom/scroll) is undoable

New option to control whether connectors are deleted automatically when an attached figure is deleted

Added a cursor indication for Ctrl copy/duplicate

Added a checkbox in the New diagram template dialog box to allow case-by-case usage of the New Diagram Wizard

Keen Features

Includes hundreds of pre-defined shapes and symbols organized in the Figure Symbol Gallery

Includes several pre-defined diagram templates such as flowcharts, block diagrams, org charts, computer diagrams, network diagrams, and general purpose diagrams

Create your own styles combining the attributes, shapes, colors, and behaviors of your own figures

Create custom diagram templates to represent your own diagramming methodologies and to store your custom symbol libraries

Full zoom and scrolling capability with dozens of intuitive and convenient features for easy navigation around even the most complex diagrams

Connectors can have many different line styles, colors, curves, patterns, end symbols (arrows), and designs. Plus, you can select flow symbols that are drawn along the path of the line.

Connectors can have many possible terminators (arrowheads). Many are included in the End Symbol Gallery.

Snap grid for precise placement. The snap grid can be visible or invisible, enabled or disabled, or customized to different sizes for any diagram.

Create large multi-page wall posters. Pages can be managed separately or cropped and attached to create a poster.

Alignment and arrangement tools. In addition to the usual aligning, centering, and spacing features, the program also performs subtle behind-the-scenes steps to help you keep your diagram organized and looking good.

Copy or export diagrams to other programs such as Microsoft Word with OLE. Simply copy and paste into most any other software, or link and embed into any OLE-enabled program for full control. Export formats include WMF, EMF, BMP, and JPG.

Import external graphics and clip-art to use in your diagrams. Supports EMF, WMF, BMP, and JPG files.

Hyperlinks let you link symbols to other diagrams, web pages, or documents. Simply link any figure to another diagram and open that diagram by double-clicking on the figure. You can also link a figure to a web page, a spreadsheet, a database file, or any other document.

Create web pages from your diagrams in a single step. Hyper-linked diagrams translate instantly to image-mapped hierarchically-linked HTML web pages exactly as you would expect.

Auto-save and Auto-backup. Choose to save backup versions whenever you save a file, or have a backup file saved periodically. Fully programmable.

Attach and detach figures in flows. Drop a symbol onto a line and the symbol merges into the flow automatically.

New diagram wizard lets you select sizes, color schemes, and initial fonts with great convenience.

Enable jogs (also called jumps or crossovers) to clarify line routing.

Add freeform text labels anywhere on your diagram, or add specialty labels. You can control text justification, color, point size, font, bold, italic, underline, subscript, superscript, and so on.

Connector labels attach to a line and adjust when the line moves.

Flow labels attach to the point where a line meets a symbol and adjust automatically when either the symbol or the line moves.

Figure labels attach to a symbol and move when the symbol moves.

Branch labels such as yes and no in flowcharts can be snapped into place in a single step and remain attached to their respective symbol/line.

Line spacing is programmable. Select from many line spacing options.

Reshapable figures. Many symbols contain reshape handles that allow you to alter their shape and compartment sizes.

Supports divided symbols with multiple compartments for text.

Connect to any point on a symbol on demand or by defining fully programmable connection points.

Group objects to create larger objects. Features include Group, Ungroup, Ungroup All, and Regroup.

Container symbols show divisions of larger diagrams by creating a box around a number of other symbols. The container also lets you work with the included symbols as a unit.

English (inches) or metric (millimeters) measurement units

Full install/uninstall. Does not modify your operating system files!

Complete online help plus optional PDF user guide.

Figures

Figures are the elements that make up a diagram. They are also called shapes or symbols. All diagram elements are figures, except for connectors which are lines, and labels which are text.

Figure symbols are the shapes that define what a figure looks like. The figure symbol gallery contains hundreds of different shapes sorted by functional category. You can add any symbol to a diagram directly from the gallery, or you can use a pre-defined figure style from a template (shown on the left side of the workspace).

Reshape: Many predefined figures are reshapeable. Each has one or more reshape handles. You can adjust the reshape handle to alter the shape of figure to your exact requirements.

Connection Points: Lines can connect to a symbol at the center, at a connection point, or at any point you choose. You can control the location of connection points with the connection point tool. Or for greater convenience, just hold down the SHIFT key while creating a connector and it will terminate where you click.

Divided symbols contain more than one text compartment. You can reshape and resize each of the compartments using reshape handles described above. Divided figures are also special because they understand how the figure is intended to be used and they use this knowledge to control resizing the figure and adjusting text.

Connectors

Connectors (lines) connect symbols within your diagram. You can control all aspects of a line style, including color, thickness, line pattern, curvature, terminator symbols, and flow symbols.

Choose from several curvature options:

Straight connectors consist of straight lines connecting each vertex.

Rounded connectors are straight connectors with the corners rounded off for a smooth appearance. You can control just how round they look.

Curved connectors can follow any smooth curved path you care to define. Curved connectors are defined by placing intuitive control points along the path rather than the more confusing bezier points that other programs use.

Smoothed connectors are a lot like curved connectors, except they pass right through each control point for the simplest possible control.

Choose from many shapes of terminators, such as arrowheads and special connector end symbols. The most common arrow styles are built in for easy access. However, the End Symbol Gallery stores an even wider selection organized by category and common diagramming methodologies.

Patterned lines can be defined with any of twenty-four different line patterns (or styles). With more patterns, you can use different connector styles to represent different relationships and easily distinguish between them.

There is no restriction to the thickness of patterned connectors. Line patterns and line widths can be combined however you like.

Flow symbols allow you to create connectors whose path is defined by a repeating pattern of symbols rather than a simple line. Flow symbols are a good way to illustrate special relationships and sequences of events. You can control the shapes, the colors, the size and the spacing of the symbols. Many built-in symbol shapes are included.

Jogs can help you clarify a connector's routing and interaction with other lines. When any two connectors overlap but do not connect, a jog (also called a crossover) is drawn to clearly indicate that the intersection is not intended as a junction. You can control whether jogs are used for any particular diagram, and how large they will be.

Labels

You can place text labels anywhere on your diagram. You can add simple text labels for descriptions, titles, and notes. Plus, you can add several types of specialty labels that stick to other objects in your diagram and reposition automatically if needed.

Label text can contain any combination of fonts, size, color, bold, italic, underline, subscript, and superscript.

Labels can be rotated 90 degrees toward either side for vertical labeling.

A connector label is a special kind of label that is attached to a connector line. The label appears as standard horizontal text within a break in the line as show. When the line moves, the label repositions itself to remain attached to the same point on the line. Connector labels are useful for identifying connectors when representing branch conditions, flows, and transitions.

A flow label is a special kind of label that is attached to the end of connector where it meets a figure. The flow label automatically repositions itself if either the connector or the attached figure moves. One of the most common uses for flow labels is for adding yes or no labels in flowcharts. However, labels of this type are very common in all sorts of diagrams.

A figure label is a special kind of label that is attached to any figure. When the figure moves, the label repositions itself to remain at the same location in relation to the new position of the figure. Figure labels are useful for labeling shapes when the shape does not have internal text, or when additional notes are required. There are several powerful options for creating, attaching, detaching, and re-positioning figure labels.

Branch labels such as the yes/no conditions in a standard flowchart and similar pre-defined labels can be added very easily. Adding a yes or no label to a flowchart decision is as simple as clicking on the label button, then clicking the label in place. If you click on the slot where the figure and connector meet, the label will be inserted as a flow label and will lock in place to attach to the figure and connector. You can create labels of your own that work like this as well.

Power Features

The new Diagram Wizard makes it easy to select from a range of color schemes and diagram sizes in a single step without the need to create a custom diagram template. It also provides a simple mechanism to change a diagram's font and text size throughout the entire diagram. Use of the wizard is optional and not all diagram templates support color schemes and preset sizes.

Attach and detach from flows - Easily add and detach figures to and from a flow. A flow is a sequence of steps in which arrows connect one figure to another. Simply drag a figure over the flow connector and drop it into the flow. New connectors will form to accommodate the figure. You can later detach the figure either explicitly or by simply deleting it, and the flow will return to the way it was.

Hyperlinks let you link any object in your diagram to another diagram, web page or document. Simply double-click on a linked figure in your diagram to open the link. With hyperlinks, you can represent a process as a simple box in one diagram, and link that box to a more detailed diagram that represents the internal workings of the process. In this way, you can construct hierarchies of diagrams showing different levels of detail. You can also define figures as buttons to navigate among diagrams within a project.

By linking a figure to a web page, clicking on the figure will open up your web browser and display the web page using the address contained in the link.

By linking a figure to a document, clicking on the figure will open the application that can view the document such as a spreadsheet or database.

Hyperlinks are recognized when saving a document as a web page.

Containers are useful for showing groupings within diagrams. A container symbol is special because it is designed to have other symbols within its borders, yet not interfere with editing those symbols. You can create and move objects into the container or out of the container without special effort. But when you move, copy, or delete a container, all of the contained objects are moved, copied, or deleted as well. Containers perform some of the same functions as groups, but in a more convenient way. Using a combination of containers and groups you can construct elaborate diagrams that are easy to maintain and re-organize.

Extension Pack One

Extension Pack One is a free Add-on to EDGE Diagrammer. It includes more symbols, samples, and diagram templates, particularly for business and technical diagrams. You can download and install this extension pack free if you have purchased a license or even if you are just evaluating the free trial version.

DEMO SHEETS: The extension pack includes a number of "demo sheets" that were too large to include in the main download file. A demo sheet is a diagram that contains diagram objects of different sizes and shapes. For example, suppose you wanted to know what size arrowhead to use in a particular diagram. You could guess based on your knowledge of point sizes, how the arrows look on the screen, and how they look when you print them. But this could be a long slow process. A better way is to print out the demo sheet that contains arrowheads of different sizes and choose the one that fits best. there are demo sheets for line widths, figure sizes, text font sizes, line patterns, flow symbols, and more.

ENTITY-RELATION (ER) DIAGRAMS: Diagram template, symbols, and samples for creating ER diagrams of different types. ER diagrams are commonly used to design database systems.

LOGIC GATE DIAGRAMS: Diagram template, symbols, and samples for creating diagrams of logic gate circuits (AND, OR, NOR, NAND gates and so on). Logic gate diagrams are often used in circuit design and in teaching fundamentals of boolean logic to engineers and programmers.

DATA FLOW DIAGRAMS: Diagram template and samples for creating simple data flow diagrams. Data flow diagrams are useful for designing systems, processes, and software.

STRUCTURE CHARTS: Diagram template and sample for creating structure charts. Structure charts aid in the design and documentation of software by identifying argument passing at the procedure level.

CCITT SDL DIAGRAMS: Diagram template, symbols, and sample for creating CCITT standard SDL (Specification and Description Language diagrams. SDL diagrams represent sequences of events on two or more systems that synchronize. A common example is the sequence of steps involved in a phone call.

RF BLOCK DIAGRAMS: Diagram template, symbols, and sample for creating simple RF block diagrams. RF block diagrams are used in the design of RF and wireless systems.

SYSTEMS ECOLOGY DIAGRAMS: Diagram template, symbols, and sample for diagramming complex systems involving energy flow. This diagramming language was pioneered by Howard T. Odum at University of Florida, Gainesville.

MORE TEMPLATE SIZES: Diagram templates and samples of more extreme sizes than are included in the standard product. For example, flowcharting templates are included for very large and very small size.

Net Diagramming Extension Pack

The Net Diagramming Extension Pack is a free Add-on to EDGE Diagrammer. It includes more symbols, samples, and diagram templates to add high quality network diagramming to the basic capabilities of EDGE Diagrammer. It includes symbols, clipart, samples, and diagram templates for designing diagrams of computer networks, LANs, WANs, data and voice communications systems. You can download and install this extension pack free if you have purchased a license, or even if you are just evaluating the free trial version.

The package includes a variety of symbols for computers, printers, servers, routers, hubs, bridges, phones, modems, gateways, directors, repeaters, cables, wiring, and more.

The symbols come in several styles to suit a range of diagramming purposes. In addition to the simple network diagramming symbols provided as part of the standard EDGE Diagrammer product, the Net Diagramming Extension Pack adds attractive three-dimensional symbol sets duplicated in gray-scale and black and white. The symbol sets contain symbolic representations of the most common networking devices and recognizable facsimiles of hardware components.

The "presentation" symbol set contains 3D grayscale graphic symbols ideal for presentations and proposals that require a highly refined professional appearance.

The "documentation" symbol set is identical to the presentation set but reduced to black and white. These symbols are especially useful for documentation that will be printable on standard black ink and lower resolution printers.

The symbol sets contained in this extension pack are similar to the network diagramming notation used by Cisco Systems in preparation material for their Cisco Career Certification Program, such as the Cisco Press book "Designing Cisco Networks." Cisco Systems is widely recognized as the global leader in networking for the internet. As industry leaders, the notation they choose certainly qualifies as a de facto industry standard. Our unique symbols are well-suited for expressing and extending this standard notation.

The Net Diagramming Extension Pack contains the following components. It includes the standard networking symbols and templates distributed with the main product. They are included here so that updates and extensions can be added in the future. The extension pack also includes over 100 clipart images of new 3D symbols. The clipart can be used on its own, or from within the network diagramming templates. There are a set of four templates of different sizes for creating presentation quality diagrams of different levels of detail. Another four templates contain the documentation symbol set in the same sizes. Also included are a number of sample diagrams showing possible ways to use the templates to create great diagrams.

Price

$129.95 single use license
Includes CD Rom with electronic user guide
Plus, you will receive a password by e-mail for immediate download.

$ 49.95 single home user - not for use in business
Standard Product - Single Home User License
Personal (home) use only. Advance payment by credit card, money order or check only. Business use prohibited.
This version is distributed electronically (download with password).

Note that the above described 2 expansion packs are FREE. Once you have downloaded and installed these additions, you have a super diagramming product that is so competitively priced that all companies can easily afford to invest in adding EDGE Diagrammer to their diagram and design tools.

Contact the company for further information about multiple user license pricing and network license pricing. Also, Pacestar has special pricing for educators and students, as well as classroom pack pricing.

Minimum System Configuration Requirements

Pentium class or better processor recommended
Win 95, 98, 98 SE, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, XP or later
16MB RAM (W95/98)
24MB RAM (NT/2000/XP)
10MB free hard disk space

Targeted Customers

EDGE Diagrammer has wide application in just about any business. You can use the program to create just about any flow chart you could ever need, along with an unlimited variety of other key diagrams. The addition of the two FREE extension packs makes EDGE Diagrammer also extremely valuable in IS groups needing to diagram their networks.

Comparable Products and Ease of Operations

EDGE Diagrammer is a feature-rich, dynamic program that will likely attract new customers, as well as draw away users of other programs, such as Microsoft's Vision. EDGE Diagrammer is very easy to use, but of even more importance, it is very competitively priced. When you consider the ton of features and functionality that are included in EDGE Diagrammer, I am frankly amazed at its price point. You are getting an extremely powerful, very useful diagramming tool for an extremely attractive price.

With Edge Diagrammer, you just click on a figure (shape) and then click in the page, and then you just right click it to customize it (shadows, colors, fonts, etc.).

Connecting two shapes is equally easy. You click on the type of line you need (or customize your own), click on one shape, and click on another. The shapes are instantly connected. Edge works logically the way you do. If you want to move a shape, you simply drag it, and the lines will expand or contract with you. If you need to move a block of shapes, the lines will also move accordingly. From a charting perspective, this tool has it all.

With the FREE extension packs, you get even more value for your money. These additional libraries include icons for network and LAN drawings. Many similar programs offer such additional symbol libraries, but at an additional cost. With EDGE Diagrammer, these add-ons are FREE. All you have to do is register your purchased license.

EDGE Diagrammer also includes their own diagram reader. With this built in reader, anyone can view or print your diagram files. With EDGE Diagrammer, you can distribute your diagrams and flowcharts with the bundled reader, and everyone can view and print the files. Invaluable. This shows tremendous thought on the part of Pacestar, and an indication how important EDGE Diagrammer is to any business.

The program does not allow you to import other diagram program files, such as Visio files, nor can you export an EDGE Diagrammer file into a Visio format. Also, EDGE Diagrammer does not support technical customization of the program with VBA, such as you can in Visio. However, these features may show up in future versions. Compared with the tremendous value of extensive features and functionality that are in EDGE Diagrammer, these become minor concerns.

About Pacestar Software, Inc.

Pacestar Software is a privately held company based in Phoenix, Arizona, and has been in business since 1990 providing standard-setting diagramming tools for professional needs. The company's goal is to provide the most powerful and easy tool for anyone who needs to create and maintain diagrams for productivity.

Pacestar strives to understand the demands of their customers and respond quickly to meet their growing customer needs. Their customers range from one-time users who just need to add a diagram to a document quickly and easily, to professional engineers in large workgroups who maintain complex diagrams as their primary function. Pacestar thrives on the challenge of satisfying these diverse needs by integrating power, simplicity, and reliability into the tool, and supporting each customer as if they were their first and last.

Pacestar's management team has been at the leading edge of Windows software development almost since the beginning. As the industry has grown and expanded, they have developed a unique ability to keep the product focused on customer requirements, rather than chasing every technological fad and buzzword to come along. This bottom-line approach is reflected in the company name. Pacestar implies a focus on efficiency both in product development and in conducting business.

As pioneers in the Try-Before-You-Buy concept, Pacestar has pursued all the innovative and creative distribution and marketing channels. Today the Internet allows Pacestar to reach more people than ever. Pacestar intends to set an example how a company "should" use the Internet - free distribution of the highest quality software, free updates, responsive support, immediate bug fixes, and total reliability, safety, and security.

Contact Information

Pacestar Software, Inc.
P.O. Box 51974
Phoenix, Arizona 85076-1974
480-893-3046
FAX 413-480-0645
mail@pacestar.com
www.pacestar.com