A love letter to OmniGraffle

I am trying to remember when I first found you, but it was some time ago. What I remember is that it was love at first sight. I found a note from 2008 where your name is mentioned for the first time, but I also knew about you before then. The earliest graffle document I have on my computer dates from 2005.

After all this time, you are still my number one go-to application when I need to create a drawing. I’ve tried to replace you multiple times, but I always returned to you. There is nothing out there quite like you.

I still remember starting a habit of spoting images drawn with the OmniGraffle in books. Over the years, I’ve read many books where authors use you to create illustrations, and I always smile when I notice it. I’m not quite sure what makes diagrams created with you so distinct. One attribute is the default shadow you give to the items in your canvas. And the rendering of the curved lines. It gives the images a soft touch – contrary to the hard contrast between black and white you get when you look at something drawn with Visio.

I draw simple diagrams for software projects. Or complex flow diagrams when I’m debugging a hairy bug. I’ve written forty pages of documentation twice with you, so I don’t need a word processor. Ok these documents contained mostly diagramms and not much text.

Your infinite canvas just gives my brain the freedom to think. You don’t try to put me within bounds and allow my creativity to take us where it needs to go.

Sometimes I stumble over some of your warts but don’t fear; they are small and just belong to you. And I can gladly ignore them. So don’t worry, I will stay with you as long as possible.

This letter was triggered as I found your automation features again yesterday. And used them for real for the first time. Every program that allows me to code is automatically 1000 times better. And the combination of drawing and coding reminds me of my first love, HyperCard.

You are there every time I need to draw something. Or when I need to dump my ram to get a clear head. Although I’ve looked at other drawing tools over time, I always return to you.

• /app
• /computer
• /OmniGraffle