ConceptDraw DIAGRAM for Mac: A Detailed Guide to Professional Diagramming Software

Step 1: Create or Open a Project

Method 1: Create New from a Template

• After launching the software, a “Start” window will automatically pop up, displaying various templates (flowcharts, floor plans, business diagrams, etc.).
• Double-click the desired template to create a new document based on it, complete with preset page settings and basic graphics.
• Shortcuts: If you close the Start window after launching, you can reopen the “New from Template” dialog with Command + Shift + N.

Method 2: Create a Blank Document

• In the “Start” window, select “Blank Drawing,” or from the menu bar choose “File” > “New” > “Blank Document.”
• Shortcut: Command + N

Method 3: Open an Existing Project

• Choose “File” > “Open,” or use the shortcut Command + O, then select an existing .cddx, .cdr, or other supported file format.

Step 2: Add and Edit Shapes

1. Add shapes from the library:
   • In the left library panel, browse or search for the shape library you need (e.g., “Flowchart”).
   • Drag the selected shape directly from the library to the drawing area of the document window.
2. Use basic drawing tools:
   • Select tools such as “Rectangle,” “Ellipse,” and “Line” from the toolbar, then click and drag directly on the canvas to draw.
   • Hold the Shift key while drawing to constrain proportions (draw perfect circles and squares).
3. Edit shapes:
   • Select: Use the “Selection Tool” in the toolbar (or press V) and click a shape. Hold Shift and click to select multiple, or drag to marquee-select.
   • Move/Scale: After selecting, drag the shape itself to move it; drag the control points around it to scale it.
   • Edit Attributes: After selecting a shape, the properties panel on the right will update. Here you can change the fill color (in the “Style” tab), line color and thickness (in the “Line” tab), add shadows or transparency, and more.

Step 3: Connect Objects and Establish Relationships

This is the key to creating relationship diagrams such as flowcharts and network diagrams.

1. Use Smart Connectors:
   • Select the “Connector Tool” from the toolbar (or press the C key).
   • Move the cursor to the edge of the first shape until a red connection point appears, then click and drag to the connection point on the edge of the second shape and release the mouse.
   • The connector will automatically stay attached, and when you move a shape, the connector will follow it.
2. Edit Connectors:
   • Select a connector to change its style (straight, curved, right-angled) in the properties panel, as well as the arrow type, thickness, and color.
   • Drag the yellow control points on the connector to adjust the path.

Step 4: Add and Format Text

1. Add text to shapes: Double-click any shape, a cursor will appear inside, and you can type text directly.
2. Add standalone text: Select the “Text tool” from the toolbar (or press the T key), click on the canvas, and start typing.
3. Format text: Select a text object (or text inside a shape), and in the “Text” tab of the properties panel on the right, you can set the font, size, color, alignment, bullets, and more.
4. Keyboard shortcuts: After selecting text, common formatting shortcuts such as Command + B (bold) and Command + I (italic) also apply.

Step 5: Page Layout and Organization

• Adjust page size and orientation: Click on an empty area of the canvas to make sure no object is selected; the properties panel on the right will show the “Page” properties. Here you can set the paper size, orientation (portrait/landscape), and background color.
• Use layers: Go to “View” > “Layers” to open the Layers panel. You can create new layers, assign different objects to different layers, and control layer visibility, printing, and lock status, making it easier to manage complex drawings.
• Align and distribute: After selecting multiple objects, use the “Align” (align left, align center, etc.) and “Distribute” (distribute horizontally with equal spacing, etc.) commands in the “Arrange” menu or the right-click context menu to make the layout neat and consistent.

Step 6: Final Check and Export

1. Preview: Go to “File” > “Print Preview” (Command + P) to check the final output.
2. Export:
   • Go to “File” > “Export”.
   • In the dialog box that appears, choose the save location and format. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM supports exporting to dozens of formats, including PDF, PNG, JPEG, SVG, Microsoft Visio (VSDX), Microsoft PowerPoint (PPTX), and more.
   • After selecting a format, there is usually an “Options” button where you can set parameters such as export resolution (for images) and page range.
   • Click “Export” to finish.
3. Save the project: Don’t forget to save the original file for future editing. Go to “File” > “Save” (Command + S), in .cddx format (ConceptDraw document format).