Easy way to create ERD for database design overview
I am working on a new application that uses Jet (MS Access) database. I created a database using FluentNHibernate autocopy feature from my C # objects.
I need to submit this database for an online WebEx design review on Tuesday, and I'm looking for a tool to create an ERD for my database that I can group into slides.
The diagram in MS Access is bad for unusability.
I have: VS2008 Pro, MS Access 2007, Visio 2007, Visio for Enterprise Architects, etc ... My C # Code The diagram is exported using NHibernate Hbm2Ddl Mapping files hbm.xml generated by FluentNHibernate .accdb file containing the base data
What I need is a fast, free and easy way to create clear diagrams.
Since I have everything for Fluent NH and NHibernate, I can use their drivers / dialects to create a schema for any supported database to be used when creating diagrams.
Any suggestions to help?
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If your MS Access DB has all the attributes of a real DB like constraints etc ... then Visio should import the DB. If that doesn't work for you ... import the database into SQL Server. SQL Server has some rudimentary drawing tools for basic ERDs ... and Visio with import from SLQ server.
The "correctness" and "complexity" of the ERD will ultimately be up to you and how you augment the captured data.
Good luck.
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Since you have Visio 2007, you can "reverse engineer" the database from a data source that is compatible with SQL Server, Access, or another driver.
- Create a new database document (aka: database model)
- In the new Database menu select Reverse Engineer
From now on, you will be connecting to your desired data source. The last step asks if you want to add tables as new forms. Choose yes and you have a beautiful ERD in Visio. I believe you can also update your model after changes.
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