Hey SDMB, not sure if this is the right place to post this request, but I’m trying (and failing) to find a program that can be used to create and modify graphs (like graph theory graphs, not like graphs of functions) and I figured if anybody would know, it’s probably you. If possible, this program would have tools to color/label vertices and the faces that their connections might outline. Most importantly it would allow the user to drag the vertices around while maintaining their connections and such. I’ve been trying to use MSPaint to draw these graphs, and since I don’t know what they’re going to look like until I actually draw them, and they have to fit together in a particular way, it’s a huge pita. Has anybody heard of a program that does simple stuff like that? Doesn’t have to be complicated; as long as I can manipulate the vertices easily I can copy the finished product into Paint and do the shading and labeling in there.
If you’re really serious about needing to manipulate graphs, Visio is pretty much your only serious option. On the other hand, if you just need to create decent looking graph visualizations, you should take a look at Graphviz, which is the standard graph drawing program.
Second on graphviz (and dot) for presentable graphs. I just recently used it for contract work to make a rule dependency chart understandable. It’s wonderful.
You might also want to check out the open source Dia software, one of the few diagram programs I’ve used that allows one to connect lines to shapes; move a shape and the lines move with it. It’s got a fair number of icons packaged with it also. (Download sites for different OSes can be found at the bottom of the linked page.)