What tools do you use to plan and draw a database structure = tables, relationship

Paper and Pencil

Why don't you use MySQL Workbench, which is free and very good tool to plan and create database model. I like it. Besides it allows you to synchronize your model with the DB or vice versa. I haven't met any good tool like MySQL Workbench.

Actually I just use either a pen and a bit of paper or, if I'm feeling really adventurous, gVim.

Then I just build the SQL out of that with some ad-hoc macros. Yes, I know I'm a luddite but I've never really found any advantages to database designer tools to justify the pain of learning them. There's plenty of other things to learn where the return on investment is better and more immediate.

But then again, I always opt for simplicity in the schema design to make my job a lot easier. I only worry about using advanced features of SQL or the DBMS if performance becomes a measurable problem.

Maybe it's because I was burnt badly by Rational System Architect in my "youth" :-)