getting started with smartdraw vp

1 www.smartdraw.com 858-225-3300 ©2011 SmartDraw, LLC. All rights reserved.

Just as the word processor makes it possible for anyone to create beautifully formatted written documentation, SmartDraw, the world’s the visual processorTM, makes it possible for anyone to create presentation-quality visuals just as easily.

Before the visual processor, visuals had to be created manually with complex graphics software. Even for experts, producing a visual like a flowchart was time consuming and the results were often not presentation-quality. SmartDraw automates the creation of visuals to such a degree that anyone can do it, and get great results in minutes.

SmartDraw includes specialized templates for 70 different types of visuals. Everything from flowcharts to floorplans.

To get started, simply pick the right template and the visual processor will help you quickly create, automatically format, and easily share your visual with your colleagues and clients.

Start with a Basic Visual Template When you first open SmartDraw, you’ll notice that the category Popular is selected and you can choose a template from one of SmartDraw’s most commonly used visual types including flowcharts, floor plans, charts and graphs, org charts, and mind maps.

Getting Started with SmartDraw February, 2011


To select one of these, simply click the symbol representing the visual type and you’ll be taken to the application screen where you can start creating.

If the visual you want to create is not shown here, click the “More” file folder to view the full list of basic visual templates or search for a specific template using the search bar the at top.

If you choose one of the diagram types from the left column, you’ll be presented with a basic template as well as some examples. With SmartDraw, you’ll never have to start with a blank page.

Creating Your Visual Once you’ve selected a visual template, you will arrive at the Application Screen, where you will be able to create your visual using a customized set of tools aimed to make creating your visual as automatic as possible.


The Work Area Your visual will be built in the Work Area. As you add more symbols to it, the Work Area will automatically grow to make room.

The Ribbon The Ribbon contains all of the functions you need for any basic manipulation of the items in your visual like changing theme color, fonts, and alignments. These buttons never change for any visual. The functions are organized into some logical categories and located on different tabs. You can navigate the tabs of the ribbon by clicking on them.

The SmartDraw Button and Quick Access Toolbar The SmartDraw button opens a menu containing functions such as New, Save, Export, and various other options for basic document settings.

The Quick Access Toolbar allows you to export your visual in a single click to a PDF, Microsoft Word®, PowerPoint®, or Excel®.


SmartPanel In contrast to the Ribbon, each visual has its own unique SmartPanel, with controls specialized to building that particular visual. Some will have symbol galleries for adding symbols, others have “Add Text” buttons, and many have specific buttons for adding things like tasks, topics, ancestors, and so on.

Many SmartPanels, employ Automatic Shape Connectors, which means you will not only add a symbol, but it will also be connected to another symbol already in the Work Area, with perfect spacing and placement. These give you the ability to produce your visual with record speed.

SmartHelp Because each visual is different from the others, SmartDraw has visual-specific SmartHelp focusing on how to use SmartPanel and the Ribbon to build the visual for which your template was intended. Many tasks discussed in SmartHelp also have a link to a web-based video which shows you how to perform that task.

Keyboard Shortcuts Create your entire chart without taking your hands off the keyboard with quick and easy keyboard controls.

To add a shape to a flowchart, mind map, org chart, or any chart that uses SmartDraw’s automatic connectors, simple hold down the Ctrl key and use the up, down, left or right arrow key. To add a shape below a selected shape, you can also use the “Enter” key or use “Insert” to add a shape to the right.

Here are some other keyboard shortcuts you may find useful:

Ctrl + Drag Forces a shape to enlarge proportionally

Shift + Ctrl Zoom in (stops at 800%)

Shift + Ctrl + G Ungroup

F1 Help Index

F3 Find Next (Find and Replace dialog)

Alt+F4 Exit / Close SmartDraw

Delete Clear / Delete selected object

Ctrl+A Select All

Ctrl+B Bold Text

Ctrl+C Copy

Ctrl+D Duplicate

Ctrl+F Find

Ctrl+G Group

Ctrl+H Replace

Ctrl+I Italicize Text

Ctrl+K Insert Hyperlink

Ctrl+M Executes Text Entry Mode (only if shape or line is selected)


Ctrl+N New Document

Ctrl+O Open Document

Ctrl+P Print

Ctrl+Q Save changes and exit / close SmartDraw

Ctrl+S Save

Ctrl+T Opens Font Dialog

Ctrl+U Underline Text

Ctrl+V Paste

Ctrl+W Save changes and exit to template selection screen

Ctrl+X Cut

Ctrl+Y Redo

Ctrl+Z Undo

Ctrl + Zoom In

CTRL - Zoom Out

CTRL + Directional Arrow

Add shape in up/down/left/right (only works when auto connector is present)

Enter (Return key) Add Shape Below

Insert Add Shape to the right

getting started with smartdraw vp

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