What is the current status of Smart-Art like functionality? Are there alternatives?

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#1

It’s been a while since this question has been asked and I believe it should be addressed again. I’m a huge fan of libreoffice and I would like nothing more than to replace my powerpoint time with libreoffice impress time. However, the Smart-Art functionality in Powerpoint is awesome and saves me a lot of time while creating presentations. How far are libreoffice in creating this kind of functionality? I’ve seen attempts like

  • templates with a fixed set of combinations
  • an extension to libreoffice that is completely abandoned and does not work in +4.0 versions
  • suggestions like create the smart art in PowerPoint and then import into impress

All of these suggestions and attempts are creative but hardly viable options.

So to summarize I’m wondering:

  • Are there plans to implement smart-art like functionality in libreoffice? If so when?
  • If the plans are non-existent: are there other software that could be used instead?

UPDATE:
I found the following active Enhancement request in bugzilla: https://www.libreoffice.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=37932 which is exactly what I’m after. It was suggested in 2011 and still have the status of NEW and unfortunately no one has been assigned to it.

UPDATE 2:
Bump: Does anyone have an update on this?

#2

I had no idea what “SmartArt” is - the best thing a quick web-search turned up was this “not for circulation” PDF :slight_smile: If anyone else needs a primer, this is as good a place as any to start. I can appreciate why one might get addicted to this, but it probably tires quickly, too (unless like so many presentation software things, it is used with care). So Impress doesn’t quite have that, but 4.2.4.2 has this kind of thing. FWIW.

#3

@dajare SmartArt is a mapping tool that maps a simple hierarchical list structure to many different graphical representations. Making it possible to switch from a chevron illustration to a bubble flow representation with just one click irrespective of how complicated the list structure is. This is massively productive. :slight_smile: I’ve been using this feature in PowerPoint since 2008 and if I had to go back to not using it, it would literally double the time it takes to create a presentation. :slight_smile:

#4

Found a link to an existing bug/enhancement report: https://www.libreoffice.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=37932

#5

Thanks for explanation, and good find on enhancement request - it has been there a long time! Not shut down yet, I see. Btw - you can link to bugs simply by typing fdo#37932 to produce fdo#37932. I have to think this feature would make LibO Impress a much more attractive option for MS Office refugees. It seems like something that would make a good LibO - GSoC project, although it’s not clear whether it’s running this year.

#6

@Dr.Mike - this interested me, and I’ve posted a question on the SoftwareRecs.SE site - you can keep an eye on that too, if you like. If the way I have asked the question needs an edit, do feel free! Btw - what operating system are you using?

#7

Thanks for the tip regarding the bug linking trick. Had no idea. :slight_smile:

#8

P.s. About that GSoC thing (see above) - it seems it already features on the “Ideas” for GSoC page, although it looks like that focuses on import and edit, rather than replicating the SmartArt feature itself. But it’s a step in that direction, I suppose.

#9

There is no alternatives of Smart-Art.

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