Tool for generating graphics from lists (like Microsoft's SmartArt)

Question

Is there any software similar to Microsoft Word's SmartArt function?

I'm looking for an alternative to generate graphics like charts. Ideally it would be similar to Microsoft Word's Smart Art and still be easily configured and changed, preferably using text lists.

Edit: more detail

Basically, I enjoy the ease of creating hierarchy graphs using lists in MS Word's SmartArt. This is a question if anyone knows of a similar software that's available.

Desired features

• Can generate graphs, hierarchy style, diagrams
• Input is preferably text-based list but open to other options
• As long as it works on Linux or Windows desktops (Linux preferred)
• Free, but willing to consider premium apps

The reason I'm looking for this kind of software, is that I'm sick of producing complex diagrams using GUIs, then having to tediously adjust them when adding one more element. From my perspective MS SmartArt elegantly solves the issue, but I'm interested to know of other similar software.

Answer 1

Graphviz and bunch of compatible generators like Gephi

Graphviz is standard de-facto in open source. It used widely by different applications that delegate drawing graphs to it

Answer 2

Adioma helps you to make timelines, grids out of lists. Each point with icons which are auto-suggested.

Answer 3

I wanted to have a kind of mindmap so here is what I did :

• I downloaded planuml.jar : http://plantuml.com
• With Visual Studio Code, I got the "Command Runner" extension
• I Created a command in user/settings.json:

     "command-runner.commands": {
        "update image": "java -jar [Path]/plantuml.jar ${file}"
    },

• Then, a key shortcut in user/keybindings.json

    {
        "key": "ctrl+shift+s",
        "command": "command-runner.run",
        "args": { "command": "update image" }
    }

• I opened a .txt file which look like this :

    *@startmindmap
    * Item 1
    ** Item 2
    ** Item 3
    *** Item 4
    @endmindmap*

Then you can save and use the defined shortcut, it creates a png file.

I opened both .txt and .png file in the same editor and started working on my mindmap and I didn't even forget what I wanted to do!