Create diagrams with Dia
Perfect Presentation

If you need to make the occasional diagram, Dia gives you professional results with a minimal learning curve.
Diagrams make it easier to an understand complex issues. Creating such graphics using LibreOffice Draw or Gimp can quickly test your patience, as these programs offer an extremely large number of functions, which requires a massive learning curve.
For the occasional diagram, what you really need is an easier-to-use solution that gives usable results fast. With Dia Diagram Editor [1], professional-looking graphics and diagrams can be designed quickly with hardly any training.
Installation
Dia, which is based on the GTK+ toolkit, can be found in popular Linux distribution's repositories and set up with the respective package manager. You will typically get the latest available version since the current version, Dia v0.97, dates back to 2013. You can also find other (including older) versions on SourceForge, including various BSD derivatives, macOS, and Windows. Once installed, you will find Dia in the Applications section of your desktop's main menu.
Getting Started
When you launch Dia, a clear-cut program window opens. On the left, you will find a toolbar with numerous graphical elements that can be integrated into the diagrams. At the top below the menubar, a buttonbar allows quick access to important functions. The workspace, or canvas in Dia parlance, on the right is divided into a grid of boxes that allows precise positioning of graphic elements.
You can start using Dia without any further configuration. To create your first diagram element, use the object icons located in the lower half of toolbar on the left. If you don't see the object you need, click on the selection field in the middle of the toolbar. From the context menu that opens, select Other sheets to access additional object collections from a wide variety of disciplines (Figure 1), such as civil engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, IT, lighting, hydraulics, and circuits.
To create a diagram, drag the desired object from the object collection to the canvas. The object will now have small green square handles at each corner and in the center of each side. You can change the size and aspect ratio of an object by clicking on a handle and then dragging it while holding down the left mouse button. You can reposition the object by clicking inside the object, holding down the left mouse button, and dragging the entire object to the desired location.
If you've placed several objects on the canvas, you can connect them with lines or geometric shapes using the drawing tools located at the top of the toolbar on the left. Click the desired tool and then click on the starting point for your line (or shape). While holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse to the endpoint, and the corresponding line or geometric shape will now appear on the canvas. In this way, you can also integrate freehand symbols into the diagram and connect the individual objects with lines.
Additional Libraries
If you can't find the object you need, you can extend Dia with additional object collections with a separate repository that offers still more object collections [2].
You can integrate these collections into your existing application using the Diashapes tool. You can download the Diashapes tool for 32- and 64-bit systems from the project's website [3]. After installing the tool, integrate the additional libraries into your Dia installation (Figure 2).
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
The GNU Project Celebrates Its 40th Birthday
September 27 marks the 40th anniversary of the GNU Project, and it was celebrated with a hacker meeting in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
-
Linux Kernel Reducing Long-Term Support
LTS support for the Linux kernel is about to undergo some serious changes that will have a considerable impact on the future.
-
Fedora 39 Beta Now Available for Testing
For fans and users of Fedora Linux, the first beta of release 39 is now available, which is a minor upgrade but does include GNOME 45.
-
Fedora Linux 40 to Drop X11 for KDE Plasma
When Fedora 40 arrives in 2024, there will be a few big changes coming, especially for the KDE Plasma option.
-
Real-Time Ubuntu Available in AWS Marketplace
Anyone looking for a Linux distribution for real-time processing could do a whole lot worse than Real-Time Ubuntu.
-
KSMBD Finally Reaches a Stable State
For those who've been looking forward to the first release of KSMBD, after two years it's no longer considered experimental.
-
Nitrux 3.0.0 Has Been Released
The latest version of Nitrux brings plenty of innovation and fresh apps to the table.
-
Linux From Scratch 12.0 Now Available
If you're looking to roll your own Linux distribution, the latest version of Linux From Scratch is now available with plenty of updates.
-
Linux Kernel 6.5 Has Been Released
The newest Linux kernel, version 6.5, now includes initial support for two very exciting features.
-
UbuntuDDE 23.04 Now Available
A new version of the UbuntuDDE remix has finally arrived with all the updates from the Deepin desktop and everything that comes with the Ubuntu 23.04 base.