Creating a Block Diagram using Microsoft Visio

Block diagrams are used right through business and in the fields of engineering, administration, criminal justice, economics, and the physical sciences.  They are frequently used as a simple method of analysing a system graphically to make the method clear, but they are versatile as well.  There are established principles for drawing block diagrams; they must describe the structure and its component subsystems in a set of interrelated diagrams in which each block performs a precise task and the drawing shows how they are connected.

Producing a Block Diagram using Visio

Visio has a collection of block diagrams which are simple to make but nevertheless can represent a huge range of concepts in a graphic layout.  For instance, they can show the flow in procedures in a clear and concise way that permits non-technical people to understand them.  Moreover, they can help to illustrate the makeup of and relationships between all kinds of elements like ideas, designs, commercial procedures, manufacturing components, bottlenecks within procedures and a range of other problems.

Microsoft Visio allows the creation of a broad variety of drawings, from simple diagrams using basic shapes to more visually interesting diagrams using 3-D shapes with perspective that might be used in presentations. The Block Diagram stencil contains shapes which enable the creation of more complex diagrams, like hierarchical trees or onion diagrams, but it is worth noting that the Block Diagram templates have been moved to the General category in Visio 2007.

Suitable Visio Diagram Templates

Visio Diagram templates are popular because those in diverse industries are able to use them by using everyday techniques like dragging and dropping to join shapes together.  The shapes are simple and the stencils don't contain any unusual menus or toolbars, so even newbie end users are able to develop drawings that satisfy many assorted requirements. Block Diagram shapes might be easily altered by dragging selection handles, and they are straightforward to make notes on by simply typing in a shape - it is easy to go into Text mode by deciding on the shape and pressing F2.

Selecting the Correct Template

For program flowcharts, information system flowcharrts, circuit diagrams and infrastructure networks, specific stencils and templates are typically used.  Besides these examples, the range of drawings that could be created with Block Diagram templates fall into three drawing categories:

• Basic diagrams convey steps in a process and use geometric shapes such as rectangles and circles, but these can be replaced with shapes that symbolize a branch or piece of equipment.
• Tree diagrams display information displayed in a hierarchy, for example a family tree or a league table.
• Onion diagrams illustrate the associations of layers that build up from a focal point, for example the layers that make up the earth from its core to the crust.

It is less frustrating for the consumer if the correct type of template is selected at the start, though this needs some attention as the diagram styles Visio offers don't relate directly to the templates on offer.

Block Diagram Shapes

Each Block Diagram template sets up the same simple environment, so you can use templates  interchangeably. Each stencil in the category offers a number of dedicated shapes to focus on particular diagramming requirements. By understanding the shapes offered on each stencil, you can open the stencils as you need them, regardless of the block-diagram template you start with.

Basic Shapes

The Basic Shapes stencil in Visio is often used to supplement the shapes included in the Block Diagram stencils, as it includes principal geometric shapes, arrow-like shapes that can act as connectors, as well as the normal Dynamic connector and Line curve connector.  These, together with the other stencils available make it straightforward and fast to make highly effectual diagrams in Microsoft Visio.