I used Apache Open Office Drawing for my textbook. 

For thinking about the literature, I use Qiqqa Brainstorm.

Both free and recommended.

www.openoffice.org/download

www.qiqqa.com/Register/70557

Thanks, I'll give it a try!

Mathematia and geoGebra are great too

There is an free application called Dia or you can try Umbrello. I used both for conceptual modelling domain.

You could try the free, online conceptual diagram creator available from the Integration and Application network at http://ian.umces.edu/symbols/.

You could also try Inkscape, a free, open-source vector graphics software available from https://inkscape.org/en/.

I've used CorelDraw, Adobe illustrator, and PhotoShop.

Try Desmo

Hello Simon. Works for me. Simple, free, online, shareable and allow chat, comments, etc. Google Draw https://support.google.com/docs/answer/179740?hl=en

Cheers.

I particularly like the "Visual Understanding Environment", which is an open source project from Tufts University: http://vue.tufts.edu/

It provides good support for diagramming concepts and connections (using shapes and links), while making almost no assumption on a certain structure that the final conceptual diagram. It is also simple and light-weight.

I use 4 different depend on the case.

- I read you don't like PowerPoint, but let me give you some tips, make be it can be usefull for you; ppt is the one I use the most from doing diagrams to explain new technologies to making short videos also to explain technologies. You can be surprised of all the cool things you can do there, just do not use the "SmartArt Graphics" the designed by default, those aren't cool. Try making the diagram from scratch, insert the shapes one by one, connect them with the lines, align the things with the arrange tool, eliminate shadows, insert icons (I recommend from www.thenounproject.com), in ppt you can change the color of the icons in the picture format / color. For the shapes and fonts color, you can select your own color palette and not using the one by default (shape fill / more fill colors / there you can input the code of the HEX color) try using (https://color.adobe.com/explore/most-popular/?time=all) to determine the color pallet you are going to use. 

- CmapTools, its free, the end result is super simple. Helps communicate the basic and helps organise ideas.

- MindJet - MindManager, it's nice, simple, you can attach files, and helps follow up tasks in the map.

- I use for special stuff, Adobe Ilustrator I like it, but it's free only 30 days, it's better for infographics, and diagrams that you need specific images.

Hope it helps you 

I start with a soft or 2B pencil on paper.... For support of this concept, let me refer you to "Sketching User Experience"....  From there if needed I may move to a tablet and from there to the computer. But the thought process is pencil or marker on paper the refinement happens either with the paper and "soft" pencil or it makes to the digital realm... I've been working this way for decades and the students react to this much more intently and intensely than if I use PowerPoint or something else. It generates "what is next, what is coming" anticipation. (SketchNoting).... I will also use sometimes in class Mindnode. 

It seems that predominately right brained folk gyrate to the Mac *iPad* software and experience.... Gotta explore that one day. 

Thanks you. I am going to try it right now.

In the STaR fellowship we discussed some tools typically used for designing conceptual frameworks.

 Bubbl.us ($59 annually)

 Mind mapper

 Text 2 mind app

 Google draw

Professional looking and complex illustrations can be done in adobe illustrator with a ton of flexibility. I also start with hand drawn sketches, then take a picture and digitize it (You can trace an image in illustrator) then work on it and refine it there such as adding labels, zooming in etc. Academic discount on adobe cloud comes out to $30/month for 12 months...I know, not free, but still a good price considering that you get access to a suite of professional software. I just recently did a small project on google draw, and it was ok too, although I would imagine it is as limited as powerpoint etc

I tend to stick to PowerPoint and word, but these suggestions are definitely worth pursuing. Recently, when I needed a figure with a bit more free-hand illustration for a grant proposal, I tracked down a colleague with an art degree. Not only did she do a great job, but she pointed me in the direction of students in the art department, as we have classes in scientific illustration, general digital design, etc. and the students need opportunities to hone their skills. You might be able to find people at your university who can refine your rough sketches into something worth including in a publication, often for little or no cost other than appropriate credit.

Since about 1982 I have used AutoSketch (from AutoCAD, but support long since discontinued), and transformed these diagrams to TIFF bitmaps via Adobe Illustrator. See my more recent publications in my Profile. These PC program applications were not free, and my use is out-dated, but I still find it effective.

For representing conceptual maps in form of problems and solutions I started using Microsoft Visio...but I needed to switch toward an alternative (free) software more "easy to manage" (for my use). I currently use Yed (https://www.yworks.com/products/yed): in my opinion is a very good alternative to visio, obviously with some limits (e.g. figures can be managed with some difficulties), but also with some smart functionalities (e.g. grouping branches, hide/exapand groups, etc ).

I use the above mentioned tool for conceptual maps elaborated by the attached approach 

I hope it can be useful also for you

Article A new conceptual design approach for overcoming the flaws of...

Have you considered the conceptual design approach originated by Vladimir Hubka (starting in 1974), latest available version in Eder & Hosnedl "Introduction to Design Engineering", CRC Press/Balkema 2010? It is far more complete than any "functional decomposition", and is based on a comprehensive theory of technical systems.

a short answer to prof Eder (since the topic is out of the scope of the specific question originally posted by Simon Hull): the proposal aims to overcome some flaws acknowledged by literature, considered as "generally" valid for FDM approaches. Nevertheless, I've sent you the copy you requested, and I would be very pleased to give you any additional information you need.

What software do you use to draw conceptual diagrams?

High level conceptual diagrams I use Microsoft PowerPoint.  For detailed conceptual diagrams / research models I use Microsoft Visio.  However, before start using the above 2 software, I usually draw the diagrams using pencil & paper first.

Dear HPF :),

Enterprise Architect is the name of the tool (from Sparx Systems) I currently use for SysML-modeling Version 12.1. Do you know that?

I'd recommend that for everyone. It is not so expansive (

I use OmniGraffle MAC version 

I use Adobe Illustrator

I guess Huxley was right, too much information I am drowning in a sea of options.

I think this might depend on what you are attempting to do, in other words what is the topic of the research, how many visuals (images) have you or will you gather. How many other references (bibliographic) and so forth need to be added. Are you doing top down or bottom up research? And so the flow of data has to be flexible and fluid in the representation. So on the iPad I use Mindnode (both a free and paid version) Mindnode is also available for the Mac.

Wow! Have learnt a lot from this post. This has saved me from asking the exact same question. Thank you.

Thank you

Microsoft Excel [and related tools is best].

This was really helpful! Thank you all.

Microsoft Visio is the easiest

As software is concerned, I strongly recommend yEd Graph Editor from yWorks. It is unfortunately not open source but still, it is free and multi-platform. Very important: it supports rich sets of graph importation and exportation formats, making you feel less locked in once you have a voluminous pile of graphs. And the icing on the cake is that it supports sub-graphs (embedding graphs in expandable graphs nodes). Have a look: https://www.yworks.com/products/yed.

I like or at least have only seemed to go back to Powerpoint for all of my conceptual models. However, I’m sure there are some more sophisticated software programs out there

You can use http://draw.io (current: https://app.diagrams.net/ ) . It's very flexible and easy to use. I used it in all of my papers below:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anik_Islam_Abhi/research

Thanks.

If you are looking for a web-based alternative, LucidChart is the perfect choice.

had the same question. trying the tricks. Thank you

If you would like to draw a conceptual model that close to a mind map, then you can use Vensim. The PLE version is free for educational purpose.

Very simple diagrams - Microsoft Word

Simple diagrams - strongly recommend yEd Graph Editor.

Little bit Complex diagrams - You can use http://draw.io . it's very flexible and easy to use.

Corel draw

Going through http://draw.io. Seems easy to use, especially for a first timer like me. A friend suggested to use Microsoft Visio.

Microsoft Visio

Thank you all.

Microsoft Visio.

drawio seems to be very user friendly...

Visio worked fine for me, but I am sure there are better options as Visio is sometimes sensetive to changes and it acts in an odd way.

I use InkScape. it is free form graphics tool but with free clip art from the web, it is very quick and powerful to use. A bit of a learning curve.

i am using three different tools, you might choose the most convenient one for you

google draw

open office

draw.io

all these tools are easy and free to use

best luck

Dear Simon Hull

Rational Rose

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM

Microsoft Visio

SmartDraw

https://app.diagrams.net/?src=about

Smartdraw

Latex template

Inkscape

Mind master

https://app.diagrams.net/

DiagrammeR

Lucidchart

Latex template

Good day, MindManager might help

lucidchart is the best for drawing any diagram ..

Biorender and google draw are good options for the same.

I use diagrams.net, it is free and user-friendly. https://www.diagrams.net/

I use lucidchart. It's easy and free to use.

https://www.lucidchart.com/

Thank you, this is really helpful

Tableau Public is free

Matlab

Xmind is good

1.Meta-Chart.com is a free software to draw a good looking graph. You can directly use from google. Otherwise if you have Wolfram Mathematica then you can draw any kinds of graph just giving commands.

2. R software is also free to used plotting graphs.

Vensim software is good for casual loop diagrams. it is free for all kinds of research work.

I would give you a very unconventional advice regarding this matter. If the conceptual model consists of very simple path structures, you can use AMOS, as it will very easily and conveniently serve your purpose. Draw the paths, circles or square variable box, add text, add straight or curved arrows-- all without any dataset. You can inbox me personally for further help.

PowerPoint, haha.

You can use Graphpad Prism 9 Software. This is a paid software but you can get it free access for one month without any pay. The optimum quality of graph and diagram can be obtained using this software.Thank you

You can use AMOS

Try Lucidchart or visio

You can use Biorender https://biorender.com/ for conceptual diagrams of biochemistry and life science related topics.

You should use inkscape.

https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-1.2.1/

Simon Hull BioRender is an excellent app for making conceptual diagrams, though it is paid, it's worthy using.

Diagrams are effective communication elements that can visualize and make others understand our concepts faster than anything else. Here are some of the tools for drawing effective diagrams.

1. Biorender.com

2. Edrawsoft.com

3. Inkscape.org

For more tools, check https://researchbrains.com/top-10-best-free-online-drawing-software-2023/