Dia

=DIA=

Dia is a full-featured diagramming program. It can be used to draw many different kinds of diagrams and has special objects to help draw entity relationship diagrams, UML diagrams, flowcharts, network diagrams, and many other diagrams. It is also possible to add support for new shapes by writing simple XML files, using a subset of SVG to draw the shape. Dia can load and save diagrams to a custom XML format, can export diagrams to a number of formats including EPS, SVG, XFIG, WMF and PNG, and can print diagrams (including ones that span multiple pages).



=HOW TO USE DIA= Below is the "menu" bar for Dia. 1. If creating a mindmap, start by choosing a shape to begin your mindmap. You can scroll down in the assorted box to choose a nuber of different shapes to use. If you right click on the shape you can change its shape, outline colour or fill colour. You can also change the thickness of the outside line. If creating a different diagram (e.g. an electric circuit diagram) choose from the "Assorted" drop down list for a different list of shapes. 2. To insert text, click on the 'T" in the menu box and type in your text. You can alter the text by left clicking on the mouse, this will highlight the text. Once the text is highlighted, right click on the text and this will allow you to alter the properties such as alignment, font, size and colour of text. 3. To insert the line between concepts, choose one of the many options below on the menu bar. These are the ones that appear on the 3rd line. Again by clicking on this line, you can alter the colour, style and thickness of the line. It is here you can also place arrows on the end of the line. 4. To insert a picture, click on this will allow you to insert a picture or image from your file. You can place a border around your image. 5. This program also allows you to send an object to the back or bring to front. You do this by selecting object on the tool bar.

This menu bar is the menu bar for making such mind maps and drawings like that however it has lots of other alternatives. For example, it is greatr for drawing circuit diagrams for Science or design technology. It also has options for other types of diagram. =Making Electric Circuit Diagrams=
 * 1) Choose circuits from the drop down menu (where it says Assorted).
 * 2) Drag each item onto the canvas.
 * 3) If you do not have all the symbols you want, also look in other menu items. (Note that menu items can be moved to other menus)
 * 4) If you choose snap to grid, then the circuit will easily allow each point on the circuit to line-up and link.