Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ASCII Art Maker VS UMLGraph

Compare ASCII Art Maker VS UMLGraph and see what are their differences

ASCII Art Maker logo ASCII Art Maker

A program for creating ASCII graphics from images and text.

UMLGraph logo UMLGraph

UMLGraph is a professional automated drawing tool that allows the designers the declarative specification and drawing of UML class and sequence diagram.
  • ASCII Art Maker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18
  • UMLGraph Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-25

ASCII Art Maker features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    ASCII Art Maker offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to create ASCII art without needing advanced skills.
  • Variety of Tools
    The software provides a range of tools and options that allow users to customize their ASCII art, including text effects and color schemes.
  • Low Resource Requirement
    ASCII Art Maker operates smoothly on computers with lower specifications, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Free to Use
    The software is available for free, ensuring that anyone interested in creating ASCII art can do so without financial investment.

Possible disadvantages of ASCII Art Maker

  • Limited Advanced Features
    For professional artists or those looking for more advanced functionality, the software may lack some features found in paid alternatives.
  • Windows Only
    ASCII Art Maker is only available for Windows, which limits access for users using other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Outdated Website
    The website for ASCII Art Maker appears outdated, which might make users question the ongoing support and updates for the software.

UMLGraph features and specs

  • Automated Diagrams
    UMLGraph allows for the automatic generation of UML diagrams directly from Java source code, which can save a significant amount of time and reduce the likelihood of errors introduced by manual diagram creation.
  • Integration with Javadoc
    UMLGraph integrates seamlessly with Javadoc, enabling the generation of both class documentation and UML diagrams in a unified process.
  • Text-Based Configuration
    Diagrams are configured using textual annotations in the source code, which makes version control easier and allows developers to maintain diagrams alongside the source code.
  • Extensible and Customizable
    The tool is highly customizable, allowing users to define the appearance and layout of UML diagrams to meet specific project needs.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source tool, UMLGraph is freely available for use and modification, promoting community involvement and continual improvement.

Possible disadvantages of UMLGraph

  • Learning Curve
    There is a learning curve associated with mastering the use of UMLGraph and its annotations, which may create an initial barrier to entry for new users.
  • Java-Centric
    UMLGraph is designed specifically for Java, which limits its utility for projects that are developed in other programming languages.
  • Limited Dynamic Diagram Support
    The tool primarily focuses on static diagrams and may have limited functionality for generating dynamic diagrams such as sequence or activity diagrams.
  • Dependence on Graphviz
    UMLGraph relies on Graphviz for rendering diagrams, which introduces an additional dependency that must be installed and maintained.
  • Manual Configuration for Complex Diagrams
    For complex diagrams, significant manual configuration may be required, which can negate some of the time-saving benefits.

Analysis of UMLGraph

Overall verdict

  • UMLGraph is generally considered a good tool for generating UML diagrams, especially for those who are comfortable with using Javadoc and prefer a textual approach to diagram specification over a graphical one. It excels in environments where automated documentation is a priority and where integration with Java projects is necessary.

Why this product is good

  • UMLGraph is a tool that allows the declarative specification and drawing of UML class and sequence diagrams. It is highly regarded for its ability to generate diagrams from Java source code using Javadoc comments, which is particularly useful for developers who want to maintain up-to-date documentation within their codebase. Its integration with Javadoc and automated nature makes it efficient for projects that require regular documentation updates.

Recommended for

  • Java developers looking for an integrated solution to generate UML diagrams from source code.
  • Teams that prefer declarative documentation methods and want to keep their diagrams in sync with their codebase.
  • Projects that require frequent updates to documentation as part of their development lifecycle.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ASCII Art Maker and UMLGraph)
Diagrams
21 21%
79% 79
Flowcharts
26 26%
74% 74
Wireframing
100 100%
0% 0
Development
19 19%
81% 81

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ASCII Art Maker and UMLGraph, you can also consider the following products

draw.io - Online diagramming application

Dia - Dia is a GTK+ based diagram creation program for GNU/Linux, MacOS X, Unix, and Windows, and is released under the GPL license.

yEd - yEd is a free desktop application to quickly create, import, edit, and automatically arrange diagrams. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix/Linux.

OmniGraffle - OmniGraffle is for creating precise graphics like website wireframes, an electrical system designs, or mapping out software class.

LucidChart - LucidChart is the missing link in online productivity suites. LucidChart allows users to create, collaborate on, and publish attractive flowcharts and other diagrams from a web browser.

CollabNet - ArgoUML, free and safe download. ArgoUML latest version: Open-source diagramming application for personal computers. ArgoUML is a program that allows users to create complex and professional diagrams.