How to Apply and Customize Templates in OmniGraffle

Edited 2 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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OmniGraffle is a powerful drawing and digital illustration application that can help users create complex designs and diagrams. The best way to use OmniGraffle efficiently is to use its template feature. Templates in OmniGraffle ensure that your diagrams have a consistent look and feel, and they can help you save time, especially if you are often creating diagrams of a similar style or structure.

Introduction to OmniGraffle templates

OmniGraffle templates are essentially pre-designed documents that contain pre-defined styles, layouts, and sometimes content that can be used again whenever you start a new project. They serve as a basis for your diagrams, allowing you to focus more on the content and less on formatting or design settings.

Templates can be particularly useful when you want to ensure consistency in graphics or diagrams across different projects or documents, or when you're working with a team where maintaining a unified style is important.

How to create a new document from a template

Starting a new document from an existing template is simple:

1. Open OmniGraffle.
2. Select "New Document" from the menu. This usually opens the New Document window.
3. Browse the available templates. OmniGraffle often has a selection of built-in templates, categorized by the type or purpose you might need them for, such as business charts, network diagrams, or user interface mockups.
4. Click on the template you want to use.
5. Select "Choose" to open a new document based on the selected template.

Once you have a new document based on the template, you can begin customizing it to meet the specific needs of your project.

Customizing templates in OmniGraffle

After you apply a template to a new document, you may want to make changes to customize it to suit your specific needs. You can do this by adjusting the styles, layout, or any included objects that are part of the template. Here are some ways to customize your template:

Modifying styles

Styles include things like the font, color, and line styles used in your diagram. You can modify them like this:

• Select the object you want to modify.
• Use the "Inspector" panel on the right to make changes. You can change the fill color, stroke color, text font, and more.
• For consistency, consider using the "Shared Style" option which allows you to easily apply the same styling to multiple items.

Adjusting the layout

Templates contain predefined arrangements of layout graphical elements. You may need to change the layout to better fit the information you are presenting:

• Click and drag the object to a new location if necessary.
• Use alignment guides and grids to help line up elements coherently.
• Adjust the canvas size in the "Canvas Inspector" to accommodate any additional elements you add to the document.

Adding and removing elements

Your template might not have all the elements you need or it might have additional components that you don't need:

• To add new elements, use the toolbar to select the shapes or lines you need and drag them onto your document.
• If you want to delete an element, just select it and press the "Delete" key.

Consider creating your own stencils for frequently used elements; they function similarly to templates by providing reusable components.

Creating custom templates

If the existing templates don't fully meet your needs, you may want to consider creating your own custom template. Here's how:

1. Create a new OmniGraffle document and set it up with styles, grids, guides, and any elements you use frequently.
2. Organize everything the way you want it for your most frequent needs.
3. Save your document as a template. To do this, go to "File" > "Save as Template" and give it a meaningful name.

Now you'll be able to select and use your custom template whenever you start a new project.

Tips for using templates effectively

Here are some additional tips for making the most of templates in OmniGraffle:

• Review and update templates regularly to ensure they conform to any design standards or branding requirements.
• Keep your template library organized so you can quickly find the template you need. Group templates by project type or purpose.
• Export your templates and share them with your team, ensuring everyone uses the same styles and standards.

Conclusion

Templates in OmniGraffle can significantly enhance your workflow, helping you maintain consistency and efficiency in your diagramming projects. Whether by using built-in options or creating a custom solution, templates provide a structured yet flexible way to easily create professional-looking diagrams. Use these features effectively to get the most out of OmniGraffle's capabilities.

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