Free Data Modelling Tool

Question

Hello,

I need a free data modelling tool which allows me to do forward/reverse engineering and great diagramming support.

I have looked around and found a few (like PowerArchitect) but I didn't find them satisfactory.

I also spoke to a Microsoft Guy and he asked me to use Visio ... but in my experience Visio is very frustrating and totally rubbish for database modeling.

Does someone here know of a free and good tool?

Answer 1

the free choices are limited but i could advise you

1.) MS Visio Pro
2.) ERwin (Computer Associate's)
3.) Rational Rose
4.) Data Architech

they could be useful for you

but as a free solution
there exists DB Designer (not for mssql)
and with db designer fork you can design a database and produce sql script in various formats.

Answer 2

I had the same level of frustration long back, but I am okay now playing with tool limitations.

 

MS SQL Sever Diagram layout designer - For Design purpose, the best tool.

VISIO 2007 - Is better than 2003 and has got best best export functionality (PDF). Reverse Engineering is now made perfect.

Power Architects - has a wonderful Export to HTML View, Which shows dependencies and object it depends on - really excellent one.

 

Other best tools are much costly and not that easy to install. I have wasted lot of time analyzing the best tool. so try these combinations.

 

- Ananth Ramasamy Meenachi www.msarm.com

 

"MSDN Student" wrote in message news:b70d2cdb-dc7f-4e89-a0ae-9dbf5687199e...

Hello,

I need a free data modelling tool which allows me to do forward/reverse engineering and great diagramming support.

I have looked around and found a few (like PowerArchitect) but I didn't find them satisfactory.

I also spoke to a Microsoft Guy and he asked me to use Visio ... but in my experience Visio is very frustrating and totally rubbish for database modeling.

Does someone here know of a free and good tool?

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--- Hope this helps. Ananth Ramasamy Meenachi http://www.msarm.com

Answer 3

Visio is  very frustrating for modeling.  If you want something simple (just table modeling, no logical modeling layer), and you can stand the limitations (was like 30 tables), search for the Toad data modeling tool.

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Louis

Answer 4

Another option for a small DB (max 25 tables ) modeling would be ER Win Community eidition which is a limitted version ER Win.

Check this http://www.ca.com/us/products/product.aspx?id=8242

Madhu

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MCITP, MCTS, MCDBA,MCP-- Blog : http://experiencing-sql-server-2008.blogspot.com/