Build a Better Design Tool with Visio Automation

In this case study, author Tony Loton demonstrates how to write VBA macros and full--blown C#/.NET applications for extracting information from design diagrams in Microsoft Visio. If you're a little frustrated by the limited functionality of Visio compared with some other design tools, there's still hope. Loton illustrates how to extend Visio's functionality yourself and build a design tool that's customized to your needs. The article's main focus is on UML diagrams, but it's not limited to that notation. If you're working with other diagram types (like website diagrams or enterprise application diagrams), there's a lot in this article for you as well.