Microsoft Visio has numerous templates built into it, which can allow you to easily create beautiful diagrams of just about anything. MS Visio is a powerful Office application for creating drawings. You wouldn't use it to retouch photos or create presentations. But if you need something with lines, curves, polygons and arrows. then Microsoft Visio is one of the quickest and best options commercially available.
Creating Drawings and Images in Microsoft Visio
The first step in creating a stunning diagram is to select the appropriate template. When you launch Microsoft Visio, it will present you with a set of templates to choose from. Or you can always use the File / New option at any time to see a list of available templates.
Look through the Template Categories to find the category that most closely matches the drawing you have in mind. For example, you could choose "Business" if you want to create an Org chart, "Schedule" if you want to make a Calendar or "Software and Database," if you want to create a map for a web site. If you're still not sure, then you can try "General" or "Blank Drawing". There are also sample diagrams to choose from.
Select a template category. Then click on a specific template to select it, and click "Create" to create a new diagram.
Using Diagrams in Technical and Business Manuals
Now you have created a blank diagram. There are three main areas of the screen that you need to know about.
- There is a tool bar and a menu bar right at the top of the Microsoft Visio screen. If you click a menu tab then the toolbar will change to present you with options.
- There is a shape palette along the left edge of the screen. There are usually multiple types of shape to choose from. You can click on a type to see a list of available shapes.
- There is a work area that should take up most of the window. You can just drag a shape from the shape palette into the work area, to add it to your drawing.
Creating diagrams is usually just a matter of finding the "canned" shapes that you need in the stencils, and dragging them onto the page. Then you can arrange them any way you want, adding text and changing colors around as needed. Some templates have much more sophisticated capabilities under the hood, based on the specific kind of diagram you're creating.
Saving in Visio Drawings
You should always save your drawings as Visio Drawings in case you want to edit them again later. You can also save copies of them in many standard graphics formats including BMP, JPEG, GIF and PNG. Or you can paste your diagrams directly into other Office applications such as Microsoft Office Word or PowerPoint.
Understanding how to apply Microsoft Visio drawings and diagrams to technical manuals and business papers increases any technical writer's productivity. Use this popular software to improve workflow and clarity in documentation and work product.
Erik Zoltan - Erik Zoltan has more than 20 years of computing experience working for large and small corporations such as ESI Technology, EDS, Inc. and ...
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