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Please suggest tools for creating Class Diagrams with the following criteria:

  • It should be platform-independent because I use Linux and the file is expected to be edited by other members of the team using Windows/Mac
  • Free, because there no such free tool, we should create one
  • It would also be nice if you can include a screenshot of the class diagram produced, just to make sure that the tool is actually used for creating Class Diagrams and not just any other types of diagrams

Also, please only suggest the tools that you've actually used.

UPDATE: Please DO NOT include those UML Diagram tools that cannot create Class Diagrams.

Randell
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    why do you need platform independent? Do you work on all platforms? – Mitch Wheat Jul 27 '09 at 06:49
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    I only work on Linux. But the diagram should also be editable by other members of the team using Windows/Mac. – Randell Jul 27 '09 at 06:54
  • Dupe of http://stackoverflow.com/questions/737431/free-utility-which-runs-in-linux-to-create-a-uml-class-diagram-from-java-source-f among many others –  Jul 27 '09 at 08:31
  • UML is too generic for my need. Some of those tools might be able to create UML Diagrams, but not Class Diagrams. – Randell Jul 27 '09 at 09:08
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    Perhaps you should clarify what you mean by "class diagram"? All UML tools that I've ever used can create class diagrams. –  Jul 27 '09 at 09:34
  • In two steps , we can create diagrams based on object/table relationships. **Step 1:** use **DOT** (graph description language) to create graph representation of the relationships. **Step 2:** Use DOT reader libraries to render as picture. – Bala Jul 25 '13 at 17:09
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    A colleague of mine has just introduced me to www.draw.io. Looks like it's what you guys are looking for. And free. – inigo333 Apr 05 '17 at 09:21
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    I second [www.draw.io](http://www.draw.io). The best tool out there in 2017 – Inverbis May 24 '17 at 09:42
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    Recently introduced to draw.io and I recommend it. – Dharmang Jan 30 '18 at 10:54
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    Unlike GenMyModel, draw.io does not require registration, so +1 – MikeL Feb 21 '18 at 16:42
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    You can use https://github.com/knsv/mermaid – onmyway133 May 28 '19 at 12:00

13 Answers13

63

I use GenMyModel, first released in 2013. It's a real UML modeler, not a drawing tool. Your diagrams are UML-compliant, generate code and can be exported as UML/XMI files. It's web-based and free so it matches your criteria.

Ron
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10

I used Poseidon UML Community Edition, it's platform independent and makes fine and clean diagrams. There are some screenshots here.

slipbull
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    (+1) Great piece of software, and not a capsizing oceanliner in sight. – butterchicken Jul 27 '09 at 06:56
  • It seems that their downloads page was taken down, so here is the archive link for it: https://web.archive.org/web/20181102183143/http://www.gentleware.com:80/downloadcenter.html – dCSeven May 25 '20 at 05:24
9

A nice online tool: yUML

pmf
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Some time ago I used DIA - free and platform-independent. It was ok. Now I use Enterprise Architect but it's not free.

rafek
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5

I always use Gliffy works perfectly and does lots of things including class diagrams.

Fleshgrinder
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Wesley Smits
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BOUML is free, can reverse-engineer Java and C++

user1205577
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MadH
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Umbrello UML Modeller is a Unified Modelling Language diagram programme for KDE. UML allows you to create diagrams of software and other systems in a standard format. Our handbook gives a good introduction to Umbrello and UML modelling. http://uml.sourceforge.net/

theoreticaltechdude
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Just discovered GenMyModel, an awesome UML modeler to design class diagram online

dupire
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  • Only 20 elements in free version. Cannot have a private diagram – Ev0oD May 05 '16 at 13:29
  • [ArgoUML](https://sourceforge.net/projects/argouml/), this is useful but the project has been [shutdown 4 years ago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArgoUML) It's quite Consistent with Generation of Java Code from UML. – Abhijeet Aug 01 '16 at 02:02
2

I use StarUML. It works quite good.

Dimitri C.
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I've used Enterprise Architect in the past - not free, but not too expensive, and it produces nice diagrams.

Craig Shearer
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I have used both Poseidon UML and Enterprise Architect and must say that I prefer Poseidon but wasn't fully satisfied with any of them.

Dave Jarvis
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Jeffrey Boolos
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Since all these tools lack a validation function their outcomes are just drawings and no better tool for creating nice drawings is a piece of paper and pen. Afterwards you can scan your diagrams and insert them into your team's wiki.

Boris Pavlović
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  • Enterprise Architect does include validation, and is a modeling tool, not a diagramming tool. – John Saunders Jul 29 '09 at 16:07
  • One of the prerequisits was "Free, because there no such free tool, we should create one" – Boris Pavlović Jul 30 '09 at 08:03
  • Something like Yuml.me turns a few lines of text into a better drawing than I can make, and best of all is re-editable. Spare a thought for those of us who are artistically challenged :) – Sean Apr 04 '13 at 17:55
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WhiteStarUML is a fork of StarUML that is still maintain http://sourceforge.net/projects/whitestaruml/?source=dlp.

cofor
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