Diagrams (e.g., trees for hierarchical structures, or graphs for finite state machines) are often needed as part of advanced user interfaces, and are frequently specific to a user’s application. The implementation of editors for diagramsshouldbe supportedby atool andbasedona formal model. This papergives an overview of DiaGen, our generator for diagram editors. An editor for a certain kind of diagram is generated from a specification, which includes a grammar to describe the structure of diagrams. The user of a diagram editor, however, does not have to be concerned with the grammar, but can manipulate diagrams very conveniently by direct manipulation.