I have a very large database I need to diagram. The database is SQL Server 2008 on x64. It is large in that there are hundreds of related tables, each with up to 2000 fields (some are sparse), multiple relationships between tables (often hundreds per table, in fact), multiple schemas… you get the idea.
I tried to use the Database Diagrams feature of SQL Server Management Studio, but it crashed with a Win32Exception: “Not enough storage is available to process this command…”
I tried to use Visio’s reverse engineering feature on a different machine to connect in and diagram it, but that’s been going for a few hours with no sign of completion.
The scripts to build this giant schema are being by a tool we built for the job. While the tool is doing its job just fine, it’s tricky to visualise its output.
I’m after a tool to kick out a diagram of this database so we can do this. Any suggestions?
EDIT:
Just to emphasize, the diagram is indeed not supposed to be used for actual useful reference. It’s a client relationship management device to demonstrate the complexity/scale of the system.
Generating an image of any kind for a database of that size simply becomes eye candy that is stuck on a wall that draw’s gasps, and honestly serves no real purpose except occasional glances. Why not use a tool like Red Gate’s Documentation tool that will serve an actual purpose? Please understand I’m not saying this in a mocking way, but I’ve been down this road before trying to diagram a huge database, and I succeeded to some degree, but never found a good outlet where it was of some use.