Helpfile
Tips, Instructions and Video Tutorials
for powerdraw 4.0 or earlier versions.
Most of the Tips, Instructions and Video Tutorials in powerdraw 5.0 Helpfile will apply to powerdraw 4.0 version. The key difference aside from the updated tool icons is the File Format Settings below.
Set Visio File Format
VERY IMPORTANT! powerdraw 4.0 and versions prior require the Visio File Save Format to be set to the 2003-2010 option. This setting change is required for powerdraw functionality and the file management system that uses the .pdd (drawing) and .pdt (template) file extensions. This must be done with Visio 2021 and Office 365 Subscription (Plan 2). Powerdraw, for legacy purposes, is not compatible with the Visio 2013‐2016 VSDX file format.
powerDRAW 4.0 is only compatible with the Visio 2003-2010 VSD file format. It is not compatible with the newer Visio 2013-2016 VSDX file format. This format change must be made for powerDRAW on all compatible versions of Visio - including Visio 2019.
Go to the File > Visio Options > Save tab. Select the Visio 2003-2010 VSD file format. Click OK.
Tool Bar Add-ins Tab
The most commonly used tabs are the Home Tab and the Add-Ins Tab.
On the left in the Add-Ins Tab your will find the File Management Buttons. Use these commands for Opening Templates, Opening Existing Drawings and the Save/Save As commands. Powerdraw files are save with .pdd and .pdt extensions on the file name.
Saved as Visio File
DO NOT USE VISIO FILE SAVE. Powerdraw 4.0 versions (or older) require using the File Management commands in the Add-ins tab to Save files.
On occasion you may mistakenly use the Visio file tab. If so, the file will saved with a .vsd file extension and you may not be able to open your file. It may even present an error message stating that the file is corrupt. It usually is not and can be opened.
In powerdraw use the 'Open powerdraw Drawing' command in the add-ins tab. Change the file type you are looking for to .vsd. Go to where you saved this file where you should see it. Open. Now resave it using the powerdraw Save As command.