How to Create UML Diagrams: the Gliffy UML Diagram Tutorial

Gliffy makes it easy to create UML diagrams of any type. You'll be ready to diagram like a pro after a few minutes with Gliffy's intuitive interface.

Start with our UML Basics resource before jumping into diagramming if you're new to UML.

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UML diagrams come in 14 different types, did you know? For instructions on creating UML diagrams within the Gliffy editor, move on to the next section if you're familiar with UML and know exactly what you want to create.

Creating General UML Diagrams with Gliffy

Step 1: Add UML Shapes

You will first need to add UML shapes to your Gliffy Shape Library. Gliffy has UML shapes for multiple types of UML diagrams, but for this tutorial we'll focus on UML 1.0. Click More Shapes at the bottom of the shape library and expand the Software Design section.

Step 2: Draw a Package Symbol

Symbol. Drag and drop a package symbol. Drag a package symbol from the UML 1.0 section of the shape library onto your canvas. Type a label while it is selected. Our label was "Finance."

Step 3: Edit the UML Shape

Whenever you select a shape in Gliffy, you can edit its properties or the properties of any text within the shape. This will help you create a visual hierarchy throughout your diagram.

Step 4: Duplicate Shapes

With the keystrokes Command + D or Ctrl + D, you can quickly duplicate shapes. Then, you can edit any text within those shapes while keeping the style you selected in Step 3.

Step 5: Arrange Everything Neatly

Your work might look cluttered once you've copied several shapes. To edit multiple shapes at once, select all three with your mouse and you'll see Edit Group Properties instead of Edit Shape Properties.

This setting aligns the three shapes to the left and distributes them evenly along the vertical axis.

Adding three more package symbols to your diagram requires duplicating these shapes three more times.

By clicking the icons in the toolbar, you can enable Snap to Grid and Drawing Guides. By using these tools, you can neatly align the new package symbols with the ones already present.

Our shapes were arranged, labeled, and edited so they looked like the image below. Check out our UML pro tips for making an easy-to-read diagram! (This is extra credit reading.)

Step 6: Add Connectors

When you've laid out everything nicely, it's time to show the connections between them. Open Edit Line Properties to choose whether your connectors should have arrowheads, to change the style of the line, or to select the line type.

Connect all your package symbols, and you are ready to share, publish, export, or invite others to collaborate on your UML diagram.