Need to draw a diagram

KevinCostnerStoleMyHeart · 2024-06-26T13:52:41+00:00

Hello, I need to draw a few diagrams (like the one shown in the attached photo). I don't normally do this and, as an oldie, I'm not too brilliant with IT stuff! Can anyone recommend a free website I can use for doing this? TIA [smile]

Original poster

KevinCostnerStoleMyHeart · 26/06/2024 14:53

Oops. Here you go...

OP posts:

atticstage · 26/06/2024 16:12

The web version of Visio is free if you have a Microsoft 365 account. Or maybe Lucidchart.

Other people may have better suggestions.

Does it need to be to scale?

Original poster

KevinCostnerStoleMyHeart · 26/06/2024 16:17

Yes, I have a 365 account. It's a work laptop and I'm new to the job! They haven't paid out for a Microsoft office account so I don't have much on offer.

OP posts:

Original poster

KevinCostnerStoleMyHeart · 26/06/2024 16:17

Doesn't need to be at scale

OP posts:

JoBrodie · 26/06/2024 17:46

If you have a Google account (e.g. log in with your Gmail) then you can do this reasonably easily in Google Slides which is Google's version of PowerPoint. Or if your computer happens to be a Mac their version is already bundled (it's called Keynote). Google Draw is very similar, I think either would do fine to be honest.

I think the relevant bits (for Slides) are the Shape tool (looks like a circle and square together) and the Line tool next to it. There's a parallelogram shape which you can stretch into the dimensions you want. Select it then press Ctrl+D to duplicate (Command+D if on a Mac), or Ctrl+C to copy it then Ctrl+V to paste, the D version is a bit quicker. You can then line them up and make one look like it's in front of the other by clicking on it then the Arrange menu then Order then Bring to front or back.

If you need to include the little black dots then there are several ways - a very small circle filled in black, or use the black circle emoji in a text box (fiddly) and resize. I think it's Alt+7 on Windows to make a small black circle (on a Mac it's Option+8 = •).

I had a go at trying out the first couple of layers (see image preview below), if that's the sort of thing you're after feel free to make a copy of the Google Slide, rename, tweak and complete it - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TBnWNWgUUME-EDkUd_mRKzIusW-pyIr42YovEZhyvUE/edit#slide=id.p

Another solution if you really want it to look like the one in your OP is to paste the full picture in then use lines of a bright colour to trace over it (make sure the picture is at the 'back' and the lines are in front) then delete the picture once done).

My top recommendation would be to download free Inkscape as this is really good for creating simple diagrams like that but it's quite fiddly to learn so I'd not recommend it for this project.
https://inkscape.org/

Jo

Diagram test

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TBnWNWgUUME-EDkUd_mRKzIusW-pyIr42YovEZhyvUE/edit#slide=id.p

Original poster

KevinCostnerStoleMyHeart · 26/06/2024 19:39

JoBrodie · 26/06/2024 17:46

If you have a Google account (e.g. log in with your Gmail) then you can do this reasonably easily in Google Slides which is Google's version of PowerPoint. Or if your computer happens to be a Mac their version is already bundled (it's called Keynote). Google Draw is very similar, I think either would do fine to be honest.

I think the relevant bits (for Slides) are the Shape tool (looks like a circle and square together) and the Line tool next to it. There's a parallelogram shape which you can stretch into the dimensions you want. Select it then press Ctrl+D to duplicate (Command+D if on a Mac), or Ctrl+C to copy it then Ctrl+V to paste, the D version is a bit quicker. You can then line them up and make one look like it's in front of the other by clicking on it then the Arrange menu then Order then Bring to front or back.

If you need to include the little black dots then there are several ways - a very small circle filled in black, or use the black circle emoji in a text box (fiddly) and resize. I think it's Alt+7 on Windows to make a small black circle (on a Mac it's Option+8 = •).

I had a go at trying out the first couple of layers (see image preview below), if that's the sort of thing you're after feel free to make a copy of the Google Slide, rename, tweak and complete it - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TBnWNWgUUME-EDkUd_mRKzIusW-pyIr42YovEZhyvUE/edit#slide=id.p

Another solution if you really want it to look like the one in your OP is to paste the full picture in then use lines of a bright colour to trace over it (make sure the picture is at the 'back' and the lines are in front) then delete the picture once done).

My top recommendation would be to download free Inkscape as this is really good for creating simple diagrams like that but it's quite fiddly to learn so I'd not recommend it for this project.
https://inkscape.org/

Jo

Thank you! That's really helpful!

OP posts: