As we noted in a previous blog post, the lack of so-called "enterprise architect" edition in versions of Visio since 2007 is a pain. The Visio 2007 solution is decent - though it requires a specific version of .net 1.1, XP compatibility mode, and some custom .xslt. Visio 2010 has a great third-party Forward Engineering solution from Alberto Ferrari, which is really, really, really easy.
Install the codeplex project, install.net 4.0 if you haven't already, activate the add-on (not an obvious step) and you're done. It integrates into the Office 2010 ribbon and you're a couple clicks away.
Here's the project: http://forwardengineer.codeplex.com/
Unfortunately, this solution also doesn't pick up the "notes" for Visio, which would be click if created as Extended Properties, but I can't complain.
"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them." -Galileo Galilei
Showing posts with label visio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label visio. Show all posts
Monday, June 06, 2011
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Forward Engineering from Visio 2007 without Enterprise Architect edition
To me, one of the most boggling, counter-intuitive and short-sighted decisions was to remove forward-engineering of databases from the base editions Microsoft Visio 2007.
One of the best third party add-ons to Visio therefore, is the Orthogonal Toolbox, a XML-based export utility that, with the right XSLT file, can be used to forward engineer your Visio database diagram.
It isn't perfect, but here's how:
Also, I learned today that VS 2008 can import a SQL file, like the one generated here, into a database solution. Check constraints and defaults don't get put in, but its a big timesaver for PK's, FK's and tables.
Links:
http://www.orthogonalsoftware.com/toolboxaddons.html (dead)
http://www.dougboude.com/blog/1/2008/11/SQL-Forward-Engineering-with-Visio-2003-Professional.cfm
http://richard.gluga.com/2009/03/no-erd-to-sql-code-generation-in-visio.html (dead)
UPDATE: see comments for more information on generating DDL from a Visio doc
UPDATE: in Vista and Windows 7, try running Visio in XP SP2 compatibility mode. This cleared up an error in Visio 2007: "Requested Registry Access Is Not Allowed"
UPDATE: If you want the orthogonal software download, try this link here. Otherwise, try this: http://forwardengineer.codeplex.com/
"Avarice, the spur of industry" - David Hume
One of the best third party add-ons to Visio therefore, is the Orthogonal Toolbox, a XML-based export utility that, with the right XSLT file, can be used to forward engineer your Visio database diagram.
It isn't perfect, but here's how:
- Close Visio, download and install the Orthogonal Toolbox: http://www.orthogonalsoftware.com/toolboxaddons.html
- Download this guy's XSLT file: http://www.dougboude.com/blog/1/2008/11/SQL-Forward-Engineering-with-Visio-2003-Professional.cfm
- Open your visio diagram, click on the new toolbox button.
- Select the XSLT file in the first box, select a target in the second.
- Done. Spits out a nice SQL file.
Also, I learned today that VS 2008 can import a SQL file, like the one generated here, into a database solution. Check constraints and defaults don't get put in, but its a big timesaver for PK's, FK's and tables.
Links:
http://www.orthogonalsoftware.com/toolboxaddons.html (dead)
http://www.dougboude.com/blog/1/2008/11/SQL-Forward-Engineering-with-Visio-2003-Professional.cfm
UPDATE: see comments for more information on generating DDL from a Visio doc
UPDATE: in Vista and Windows 7, try running Visio in XP SP2 compatibility mode. This cleared up an error in Visio 2007: "Requested Registry Access Is Not Allowed"
UPDATE: If you want the orthogonal software download, try this link here. Otherwise, try this: http://forwardengineer.codeplex.com/
"Avarice, the spur of industry" - David Hume
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