I’m reading Miro Samek’s book on UML Statecharts, and I admire the neatness and professionalism of the state diagrams. The way these charts are designed and formatted is impressive, and I want to achieve a similar look for my own project documentation. Does anyone know which software or diagram tool he used for these statechart diagrams? I’ve experimented with a few programs but haven’t been able to match that level of professionalism. The transitions in the diagrams are smooth, and the state boxes are so well aligned. If you’re familiar with the book or have knowledge of the software that produces such UML diagrams, I would love to hear your recommendations.
I remember Samek mentioning in interviews that he initially hand-drew most of his diagrams before converting them to digital form. The book was released around the time when tools like Dia and early versions of StarUML were becoming popular, but looking at the quality, it seems he likely used a combination approach. He probably started with a basic UML tool for the initial structure and then refined the graphics using a vector editing program. It’s important to note that published technical books undergo extensive graphic editing to ensure consistency throughout the diagrams. Therefore, the output you see is not merely the result of a single tool. If your goal is to achieve a similar level of professionalism, focus less on replicating the exact tools he used and more on enhancing your diagrams with attention to typography and spacing, as that’s crucial to the overall polished look.
Looking at when Samek’s book came out and the tech available then, he probably used specialized UML tools that were big in the early 2000s. The diagrams are so clean and consistent - I’m betting he used something like MagicDraw or Rhapsody. Both were built for embedded systems and cranked out really sharp statecharts. Way better export quality than generic drawing software. What makes professional UML tools different is they actually understand statechart rules. They automatically handle the hierarchical nesting, route transitions properly, and place guard conditions right - all following UML standards. That’s how you get that polished look without tons of manual tweaking. If you want similar results now, check out current MagicDraw or try PlantUML for code-generated diagrams. Just be ready to spend time learning their syntax and styling quirks.
The Problem: You’re aiming for the professional, polished look of the state diagrams in Miro Samek’s UML Statecharts book and are seeking the tools and techniques used to achieve that level of visual consistency. You’ve tried various diagramming tools but haven’t replicated the results.
Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):
The key to Samek’s diagrams isn’t just the software; it’s a workflow focused on automation and subsequent refinement. Manually creating and tweaking diagrams is incredibly time-consuming and prone to errors. The professional look comes from a combination of generating the diagrams programmatically and then refining the details. Simply using the “right” tool won’t automatically give you the same result.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Automate Diagram Generation: The most efficient approach is to generate your state diagrams programmatically from a data source (code, configuration files, etc.). This ensures consistency and drastically reduces the time spent on manual adjustments. Updates to your system’s state machine will automatically result in updated diagrams. Several tools exist for this. Latenode (https://latenode.com), mentioned in the original thread, is one such option. Explore different options to find the best fit for your data sources and technology stack.
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Choose Your Diagram Generation Tool: Select a tool that supports your preferred method of data representation and diagram output. Evaluate features such as version control integration, support for different diagram types (UML, etc.), and ease of customization. Many options are available, both open-source and commercial, depending on your specific requirements and budget.
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Refine with a Vector Editor (Optional): While programmatic generation handles much of the heavy lifting, fine-tuning might still be necessary. Use a vector graphics editor like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape for adjustments to spacing, font choices, line weights, and other visual details to achieve the desired level of polish. This is the final step to ensure visual consistency and a professional appearance.
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
- Data Accuracy: Ensure your source data for diagram generation is accurate and up-to-date. Errors in your data will result in errors in your diagrams.
- Tool Configuration: Double-check the settings and configuration of your diagram generation tool. Incorrect settings can lead to unexpected results. Pay attention to style guides and customization options to match your desired aesthetic.
- Version Control: If using version control (which is highly recommended), ensure your diagrams are tracked appropriately. This prevents losing progress and allows for easy rollback to earlier versions.
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!
I ran into this exact same problem when documenting my embedded systems projects. After digging through forums and talking to colleagues who’d worked on similar books, I’m pretty sure Samek used enterprise tools like IBM Rational Rose or Enterprise Architect - that was the standard for UML back then. But here’s the thing: he probably polished everything afterward in Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape to get that crisp look. The secret isn’t really the tool - it’s nailing consistent spacing, fonts, and line weights. If you don’t want to mess with the old enterprise stuff, try Lucidchart or draw.io. They’ll get you there if you pay attention to the formatting details.
honestly he probably used visio - that was the standard for technical diagrams when his book came out. the clean alignment and spacing you’re seeing? that’s just lots of manual tweaking, not some magic tool feature.
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