UML Modelling Tools/Software
Using Draw.io as a UML Modelling Tool
Hey there đź‘‹
A picture is worth a thousand words, that phrase is valid even in the concept of Object-Oriented Analysis and Design(OOAD). In this very article, I will be writing about the best UML Tool I prefer, giving reasons why I feel it is the best out there.
What is UML?
You might be wondering what UML means. Well, UML stands for Unified Modeling Language. It is a standard that is used for creating object-oriented, meaningful documentation models for any software system. It offers rich models that describe the working of any software/hardware systems.
UML is an essential part of creating an object-oriented design of systems. It provides you with means for creating powerful models and designs for rational systems which can be understood without much difficulty.
UML Tools
There are many UML tools available for designing UML diagrams. This article will be centered basically on the Draw.io tool and comparison with Lucidchart tool.
The following are the lists of UML tools:
- Draw.io
- Lucidchart
- EdrawMax
- Visio
- Adobe Express
- Moqups
- Creately
- ConceptDraw
As you can see, there are various UML tools out there but making choices depends on the features of the UML tool in relation to what we want to design.
So, we will be looking into the draw.io tool.
What is Draw.io?
Draw.io is a free and open source cross-platform graph drawing software developed with HTML and JavaScript. It is one of the best UML tools that help users create and manage drawing easily. We can create interfaces such as flowchart, UML diagram, wireframe, organizational chart, and network diagram.
Versions of Draw.io
There exist different versions of draw.io, though calling them differently really seem to make things more confusing. The difference between them has to do with other software they integrate with. What they all have in common is the same end user functionality.
Below are the different versions of Draw.io we have:
- Draw.io online standalone
- Draw.io online with Google Drive on Google Apps domain
- Draw.io online with Google Drive (not Google Apps domain)
- Draw.io for Confluence Server (paid version)
- Draw.io Chrome Application
- Draw.io online with Dropbox
- Draw.io for Confluence Cloud
- Draw.io for JIRA Cloud
- Draw.io for JIRA Server
- Draw.io for Confluence Server (paid version)
Using Draw.io with Google Drive
We have two versions of Draw.io that works with google drive, the single user(SU) and the real time(RT) collaboration versions. To launch the single user version, visit https://www.draw.io/. The real time(RT) version can be launched here https://drive.draw.io.
You can select the version you wish to use either by navigating to the respective URL of each version and accepting the permissions described below, or you can install install the single user or real-time versions from the Chrome Web Store. The only additional functionality which the real-time contains is the collaboration described. If you wish to read more about the real-time version see About the draw.io real-time verison.
Your First Time Using Draw.io with Google Drive
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When you select Google Drive as a way to store your data in draw.io, the next thing you will see is this screen
Click on the “Authorize” button to allow draw.io have access to your Google Drive. You can as well click on “Remember me” tickbox if you want your authorization to be remembered on your current browser(as a cookie).
Note that selecting “Sign Out” will deactivate your current login to Google. After clicking authorize you’ll be presented with the Google Accounts chooser if you’re currently logged into more than Google account. Click on the account you wish to use.
Draw.io and Google Drive permissions
If you have not previously authorized the application against your Google Drive you’ll see this screen:
You must accept these permissions in order to use Google Drive as your storage for draw.io, but you’ll only need to accept them once per account.
Changing your storage settings
Once you are authorized you’ll see the new/open dialog. See the Basic Usage section for a description of how to use this.
Working with Files
In the Google Drive Management Screen you can create and open draw.io diagram files the way you navigate Google files. You can select a folder on the left-hand side and then use the pull down menu on the right of that folder:
Select “Create” to open the context menu, or you can select the folder and press the “CREATE” button above the folder list. Both options brings up applications dialog with draw.io and/or draw.io Pro, then selsct the version you prefer to create the new file in and the application wil open at the new dialog.
To open an existing file, either right click the file and select “open with…”, or click the file in the UI to pick the draw.io version to open with:
Working with Google Drive Files in the draw.io Interface
The orange draw.io logo in the top left will take you back to drive.google.com. Clicking the title of the diagram allows you to rename the Drive file.
Google Drive files are autosaved (you can switch this off under Options -> Autosave) so you don’t need to manually save the diagram. The reason there is a save option is a manual save creates a revision of that file in Drive. Revisions of files are also created on closing a diagram and every 30 minutes while working on a diagram.
Share opens the Google sharing dialog that performs the same function as the share dialog in the Drive UI:
You can select who to share the diagram with (Google Accounts only) and what permissions they have to that diagram. Giving a user view-only permissions is supported, the diagram will load read only.
The open and new File menu options perform the same functions as the initial open/new dialog. Rename and make a copy do as they say. “Move to folder…” provides a way to move the diagram to another Drive folder without switching to the Drive UI.
Draw.io VS LucidChart
Lucidchart is a web-based diagramming application that helps users to visually collaborate on drawing, revising and sharing charts and diagrams, and improve processes, systems, and organizational structures.
What features do they have?
Lucidchart and Draw.io have plenty of things in common, which makes choosing the best one for your team or business a little complicated. While they offer very similar services and benefits, there are some differences that make each stand out.
Pricing
Draw.io has more pricing options than Lucidchart, which makes it a little more complicated. You can choose between cloud, data center, and server integration pricing. For those wishing to use Draw.io on cloud services, prices range from $15 per month for teams of 20 users.
Templates and shapes
Both have plenty of templates to choose from, be it a flowchart, UML diagram, or mind map. All of the basics are available on Draw.io but for more intricate and industry-specific template, Lucidchart is the best choice. Draw.io has better style choices, for a more artistic flair like when creating infographic or a banner.
Importing, Exporting, and Integrations
One of the nice feature you can find in both tools is the ability to import and export files. Files from Google, Gliffy, Jira, Confluence, and more, are all compatible with Draw.io and Lucidchart.
User interface
What’s more important than usability? Both programs are simple, clean, and intuitive. You can drag and drop shapes as well as files directly onto the diagram. A benefit of Draw.io is that you can start right away, with no sign-up or download. Both options do have downloadable programs, if that’s what you prefer.
Why I Prefer Draw.io?
Draw.io is the best tool that offers a totally free level of service. Even though it has a paid version for Confluence Server, which is how the app is profitable, but all its other versions, including the online Web-based one are free. This tool helps you create diagrams and other visuals with a lot more ease than if you were using vector software.
When used with Google Drive, Draw.io has good support for real-time collaboration so that more than one person can work on a diagram simultaneously.
Because many diagramming apps, such as Microsoft Visio, can be expensive, the free Draw.io is a fine option if you only need this kind of software every so often.
In Conclusion
Modelling your software using UML tool helps you visualize it before its implementation, thus making it more easy to implement. As you have read in this article, Draw.io is a really nice tool when it comes to UML tools with free service. I believe you have known your way around the Draw.io tool and can now go ahead and make a really cool designs with it 🚀
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