SmartDraw CAD Software Review
Features:
Smart Draw is not just drawing software. With Smart Draw you start with a template and then add on parts, but it can take a while to learn all the functionality of the program.
1) Smart Draw Draws for You, all you have to do is select which shape or item and Smart Draw will place it on your diagram in the right place.
2) Smart Draw is fully compatible with Microsoft Office and Adobe PDF. You can drag-n-drop your designs into Word and Power Point.
3) Integrated Photo Capability actually allows you to upload pictures directly from your camera and crop, resize, or adjust colors and brightness.
4) Smart Power Point Integration allows you to design a serious of slides then with the push for a button Smart Draw transfers them to Power Point slides for you.
5) Web Page Annotation allows you to select a web page and right notes or add components on top of the page. It’s great for suggesting changes.
6) Automatic Website Mapping organizes a selected website in to a logical map all with one click.
7) Presentation Story Boards help you plan what you’re going to say in your presentation before you begin your Power Point. Saves time too because you can print off the story board and bring it with you eliminating the need to have speaking notes.
8 ) Mind Map helps you organize your thoughts in to a logical flow chart simply by adding your ideas as you have them then simply place all of your ideas in to an organized whole.
Con’s:
1) The learning curve can actually be higher if you’re an expert CAD software user because you have to stop drawing everything and start finding it.
2) If you’re using the trial version, a watermark does appear until you purchase the software.
3) Text tools can be difficult to use.
4) Smart Draw tutorials can be dry.
Review:
Smart Draw claims to have over 30,000 shapes and images in its libraries, and they’re all organized into categories so you can find them based on your field of work. You can’t say they didn’t think of everything. Some have used Smart Draw to create flow charts for their employee manuals as a way to display visually difficult processes and policies. Thanks to Smart Draw’s intuitive design and features such as drag and drop, making flow charts is easier than Microsoft Word or even Flow Charter. Even people with no experience in graphic design or engineering have designed colorful, professional fire evacuation plans. Smart Draw CAD software can be used outside the office too. Just think about it, you’re in a car accident and the insurance company doesn’t believe you; simply pull up Google Maps select, select the intersection, drop that map into Smart Draw, add a few cars and arrows, and you have convincing evidence for your insurance company.