I am looking to create a logical "timeline" of events. The point of this is to logically visualize a challenging concept. As a logical timeline, I do not want specific dates/times associated with any of the points. I'm looking for software (preferably free and open source) that will help make this easier since I will be making multiple versions and may need to edit/update them as new information arises or is added. I had considered a "decision tree" format but I think I want to stick with a timeline format.

Though not exactly what I'm doing, it may help to imagine a project timeline with Projects A & B coterminous (using the same segment) for a segment and then branching apart with points and dialog callouts throughout the coterminous and divergent segments.

I started making this with LibreOffice Draw but quickly realized that I was having difficulty keeping things uniform and looking pleasant. In the end, I will just need images of the "timelines" to include in presentations. Does anyone have suggestions about what might help me accomplish this in a visually appealing and consistent way?

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Since you describe "events" that you say "do not have specific dates/times associated with them," one tool that occurs to me is GraphViz.

This software constructs graphs of various sorts, based on textual descriptions. It is actually quite an old (so to speak ...) package, since it was used to create the diagrams (flowcharts and otherwise) which appeared in various pieces of documentation and books. It is still very good for that.

The original command-line tool has "grown up" very nicely. Not too many product-doc websites have a very-serious "theory" section!

P.S.: If, on the other hand, you are truly looking for project planning and management – "Gantt Charts and so-forth" – then that is a different requirement altogether. If what you are "graphing" is, in fact, a project with various stage-dependencies, then you need a tool that is specifically focused on that. (And I will candidly admit that my hands-down preference in this arena, Microsoft Project®, runs only AFAIK on Windows.)

Thanks, that GraphViz looks promising. I'm playing around with python creating a super basic horizontal tree diagram. It may be a bit overengineered but as a plus, I can make the results reproducible by auto-generating based on one or more lists that can be updated.

FWIW, my actual intention is to create some logical (rather than chronological) diagrams of the differing and contrasting perspectives of the ordo solutis from various Christian perspectives in a specific format.

Sounds interesting. Maybe you'll give us a glimpse when you get it fininshed?