Build attractive site maps in minutes using OmniGraffle
OmniGraffle's built-in diagram styles are pretty sweet, essentially building/connecting/arranging shapes for you while you just type up an outline.
However, for more complicated hierarchical diagrams like site maps, things can get ugly in a hurry once you exceed a certain number of shapes...particularly when you're trying to fit it on a single sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper.
Color-coding can also help your readers easily distinguish between different levels in the menu tree. Rather than manually select and modify shape fills individually, each shape inherits a particular fill based on where it lies in the hierarchy.
After doing this a couple times, I decided to create and contribute a custom diagram style to make life a whole lot easier. Check it out in the screencast below - you can build a basic site map in about 15 minutes.
The simple diagram style file you'll need is attached below -> just drop it in your Library/Application Support/OmniGraffle/Diagram Styles folder.
Comments
This is Really Awesome
I have been looking for a way to create flowcharts that hang site pages and their sub sections in this way. I don't understand why this diagram style is not included with Omnigraffle by default.
This is REALLY GOOD STUFF Dave. Thanks SO MUCH!
Re: This is Really Awesome
Chris,
Thanks for your note - I'm glad you found this useful. Generally speaking, I've been surprised that given the number of people who use OmniGraffle, there are not more resources like this available.
One that you may find useful (if you haven't been there already) is http://www.graffletopia.com.
Thanks, Dave
Keep reverting back to generic boxes
Hi Dave,
Your template is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm not sure if it's my version or what, but I don't have a diagrams styles folder in my Application Support Library. I'm on the latest (V5).
Also, if I just open your diagram style by double clicking the icon, it then opens up and I can start working on it.
BUT
When I tab over in the outline mode, it then adds a new box, but a generic box and not the stylized version. Once go into Choose Diagram Style, I then pick your template (again) and it's back to normal.
Then sometimes if I try to create a 1st level topic again, then tab forward, the "child" color remains the same as the parent (red).
Just wondering if I'm way out to lunch or is this something on my end.
Thanks for putting this up though, I bet if I get it working, it'll rock.
Re: Keep reverting back to generic boxes
Hello,
I think the behavior that you are experiencing is a result of double-clicking and opening the file directly...essentially you are editing the template file itself instead of using it as the basis for your drawing.
Are you sure that you don't have a Diagram Styles folder? The path should be username\Library\Application Support\OmniGraffle\Diagram Styles.
You might be looking in Macintosh HD\Library\Application Support\Omni Group\, instead...
Let me know if this gets you going, or if you are still having issues.
Thanks! Dave
"Then sometimes if I try to
"Then sometimes if I try to create a 1st level topic again, then tab forward, the "child" color remains the same as the parent (red)."
I've also had this problem, but with OG4. It doesn't seem to recognize that my newly created child is a descendant of the parent; instead, it's treated like an indented sibling. I've found that creating the _first_ child via Right Click > Add a Child, the child takes on the appropriate style. After this step, any subsequent child at the same level created via tab will assume the correct style.
It's a hassle, but it corrects the problem.
----
Thanks for sharing, Dave!
Re: "Then sometimes if I try to"
Veronica,
Thanks for your comment - it's good to know that this is still usable in OG4 and I'm sure that this will be beneficial for others.
Regards, Dave
No Diagram Folder
I had the same problem. So I created the folder myself: username/Library/Application Support/OmniGraffle/Diagram Styles and I put .gdiagramstyle after any diagram style that did not already have that behind it. Works for me now.
Thanks for this
Your video has just saved me loads of time. Thanks.
Re: Thanks for this
Glad you found this useful - let me know if you come across any other time-saving techniques for OmniGraffle.
Thanks, Dave
download diagram
Hi Dave,
I'm having trouble downloading the file you have attached - I am on version 4.2.3. I download the file and put it in the correct folder but it doesn't seem to be recognized. Any suggestions?
re: download diagram
Hi Andrea,
Sorry you’re having trouble getting this to work. It may be difficult for me to diagnose since I’m running OmniGraffle 5. I do know that someone mentioned in an earlier comment that they were able to use this in OG4, but it was a bit more clunky.
The process pretty much goes like this:
Best of luck,
Dave
Hi Dave, I think this
Hi Dave,
I think this probably just won't work for me - for some reason the file type isn't recognized at all by my machine. I'm guessing you are right and that I might need to upgrade to 5.
thanks again, Andrea
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