MNteractive.com

I’ve finally had an opportunity to dig into using ConceptDraw on an information architecture project. It’s very much a cross-platform Visio. I first noticed this in the toolbar interaction, the Zoom tool specifically. In conventional illustration applications, Freehand and Illustrator for example, selecting the Zoom tool just selects it (so does the ‘z’ key). In Visio and ConceptDraw, the Zoom tool is an action button - selecting the magnifying glass performs the zoom, rather than simply selects the tool (’z’ key does nothing).

ConceptDraw is also has background sheets just like Visio (something OmniGraffle has only recently received) - though they can’t be nested. Hmmmm.

But the biggest similarity between ConceptDraw and Visio is how buggy they are. Neither application gracefully handles imported graphics and each additional element added decreases it’s responsiveness and increases the likelihood of a corrupt, un-openable, completely lost document. Frequent saves in both is mandatory.

The only reliable way I’ve been able to open previously created ConceptDraw documents is to double-click on their icon after ConceptDraw is already open. The first time, I get a ’somethings wrong with the document and I can’t open it - OK’ dialog. If I double-click a second time, the the file opens. It just takes a really long time.

On the plus side, ConceptDraw is cross-platform and priced comparably with Visio. For that kinda money, if you have cross-platform IA needs, I’d recommend a traditional illustration app, or shoehorning PowerPoint.