Block Diagram Software

I am looking for block diagram software for Windows that behaves similarly to
the Simulink editor. That is to say, I need to be able to draw a top-level block
diagram, but then also expand each block to show what's "under the hood", as
many levels deep as happens to be necessary. 

I looked at things like SmartDraw and Gliffy, but they appear to be only
two-dimensional -- no way to dig-down and see what's inside each block.

Suggestions appreciated. And it does *not* have to be freeware. Thanks.

Greg

Oh, and to sidestep comments that this is off-topic, I'm going to be using the
software to create block diagrams for signal processing systems.

Greg

On Sun, 02 Nov 2014 09:26:29 -0600, Greg Berchin
<gjberchin@chatter.net.invalid> wrote:

>I am looking for block diagram software for Windows that behaves similarly to
>the Simulink editor. That is to say, I need to be able to draw a top-level block
>diagram, but then also expand each block to show what's "under the hood", as
>many levels deep as happens to be necessary. 
>
>I looked at things like SmartDraw and Gliffy, but they appear to be only
>two-dimensional -- no way to dig-down and see what's inside each block.
>
>Suggestions appreciated. And it does *not* have to be freeware. Thanks.
>
>Greg

Do a search on "Hierarchical block diagram editor".   There seem to be
several available but I haven't had the opportunity to research any of
them lately.   I'd sorely like something usable, like Visio with
heirarchical capabilities, or, even better, something like the old
editors that would let you draw the block diagrams and would spit out
Verilog/HDL wrappers for the heirarchy.   That was always nice, but
the tools I used were part of very expensive CAD packages and I don't
know if anything more plebian has become available.

Please let us know what you find out!


Eric Jacobsen
Anchor Hill Communications
http://www.anchorhill.com

On Sunday, November 2, 2014 10:59:10 AM UTC-6, Eric Jacobsen wrote:
 
> Do a search on "Hierarchical block diagram editor". 

Thanks, Eric. I've only just begun my search, but your suggestion lead to http://flowchart-software-review.toptenreviews.com/. In that review, they refer to the hierarchy of blocks as "containers", near as I can tell. And it appears that Gliffy supports them -- something that I did not realize from my earlier look at their Website.

Still a work in progress; I'll report back if I find anything more significant.

Greg

On Monday, November 3, 2014 4:26:38 AM UTC+13, Greg Berchin wrote:
> I am looking for block diagram software for Windows that behaves similarly to
> the Simulink editor. That is to say, I need to be able to draw a top-level block
> diagram, but then also expand each block to show what's "under the hood", as
> many levels deep as happens to be necessary. 
> 
> I looked at things like SmartDraw and Gliffy, but they appear to be only
> two-dimensional -- no way to dig-down and see what's inside each block.
> 
> Suggestions appreciated. And it does *not* have to be freeware. Thanks.
> 
> Greg

Matrix x - or LabView

On 11/02/2014 04:26 PM, Greg Berchin wrote:
> I am looking for block diagram software for Windows that behaves similarly to
> the Simulink editor. That is to say, I need to be able to draw a top-level block
> diagram, but then also expand each block to show what's "under the hood", as
> many levels deep as happens to be necessary.
>
> I looked at things like SmartDraw and Gliffy, but they appear to be only
> two-dimensional -- no way to dig-down and see what's inside each block.
>
> Suggestions appreciated. And it does *not* have to be freeware. Thanks.
>

Since you mention Simulink (you use it for development / simulation?) 
and it doesn not need to be free: Why not Simulink? You get the added 
advantage that your documentation / drawing model can be formally 
verified and simulated, avoiding discrepancies between documentation and 
simulation / realization.


BR
Wolfgang

On Sunday, November 2, 2014 5:04:53 PM UTC-6, Wolfgang S�rgel wrote:

> Since you mention Simulink (you use it for development / simulation?) 
> and it doesn not need to be free: Why not Simulink?

Only a fraction of my designs are done in Simulink. Some of my designs cannot even be represented in Simulink without creating custom blocks, which is an added overhead task that really isn't worth the effort if I can find a good generic block diagram editor.

On 02/11/2014 17:26, Greg Berchin wrote:
> I am looking for block diagram software for Windows that behaves similarly to
> the Simulink editor. That is to say, I need to be able to draw a top-level block
> diagram, but then also expand each block to show what's "under the hood", as
> many levels deep as happens to be necessary.
>
> I looked at things like SmartDraw and Gliffy, but they appear to be only
> two-dimensional -- no way to dig-down and see what's inside each block.
>
> Suggestions appreciated. And it does *not* have to be freeware. Thanks.
>
> Greg
>
Cadsoft Eagle v7 supports hierarchical designs

HTH

On Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:17:52 +0200, Maurice SAAB <morisaab@yahoo.fr> wrote:

>Cadsoft Eagle v7 supports hierarchical designs

Thanks, but no block diagrams there -- only PCB design.

Greg

Greg Berchin <gjberchin@chatter.net.invalid> wrote in
news:m0te5adlbjiei8ta39nq4ameq824vp6rok@4ax.com: 

> On Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:17:52 +0200, Maurice SAAB
> <morisaab@yahoo.fr> wrote: 
> 
>>Cadsoft Eagle v7 supports hierarchical designs
> 
> Thanks, but no block diagrams there -- only PCB design.
> 
> Greg
> 

This may be more than you want, but have you looked at DSP 
Concepts' Audio Weaver? It is a graphical design tool for signal 
processing and includes hierachy.

http://www.dspconcepts.com/products/audio-weaver

Al