Freeplane review pdf#
Freeplane review install#
Freeplane review software#
Freeplane review code#

Feel free to display the cloud in any color or size. For instance, you can enhance the look of a mind map by adding a cloud image to any item. It takes some learning time to master all that Freeplane can do beyond basic idea mapping. You can also change text color add bullets or numbers. You can type content and then format it with font and point sizes, make words bold or italic or underlined. If you want one project to resume where a previous project ended, you can export a mind map with the Freeplane branch as a new map format.Ī feature that I find particularly useful is the text editor panel that you can drag up from the bottom of the app’s window.

Freeplane review pdf#

You can also export a mind map as PNG and JPEG files as well as an Open Office Document, PDF or SVG files. It supports formats for HTML, HXTML in both JavaScript and Clickable Map Image versions, Java Applet and Flash, TASKS and Taskjuggler files, and TWIKI. One of the more impressive range of features is Freeplane’s propensity for exporting. Those are advanced features that non-programmers can also use if they have the fortitude to figure out how.

Freeplane review install#

That target user base should be served with a shorter learning curve.įreeplane boasts an ability to install packages of scripts, icons, images, language dictionaries for spell checking and other preferences including a different menu structure. It is a tool for creating branching diagrams without any professional skill. Freeplane is designed for non-programmers. Once I adjusted to the conventions that Freeplane uses, I found this app a little easier to use. The amount of time on task to get up to speed with Freeplane surprised me.

Freeplane review code#

Maybe the code writers were too familiar with Freeplane’s design. Powerful Packageįreeplane’s documentation touts the app’s goal of maximum ease and speed of use. Instead, Freeplane relies on keyboard shortcuts and a series of buttons to display ideas on the screen. Other mind-mapping tools I have used more closely perform this and other image-manipulating tasks like image editing features in word processors and drawing applications. It takes too long to drill down a right-click menu to an image property panel in order to manually enter new parameters. The other is Freeplane’s inability to resize an image in the workspace by dragging it. It balked at letting me access external drives or folders on the hard drive that were not directly listed in Freeplane’s directory. The file picker’s behavior was counter-intuitive. One is getting the program to select the desired location when importing or inserting a file or image.

The extent to which they slowed me down was annoying.

Stumbling Blocksįor example, two things got in the way when I started to use Freeplane. Instead, it has too much overhead to wade through in order to create the chart of my thoughts. That approach should be fluid and not get in the way of the thought process. Once I have the words in place, I want to add lines to connect ideas and drag the graphical elements into different shapes and locations on the screen. I prefer a scheme that lets me click anywhere on the blank canvas and use the keyboard to throw thoughts in awaiting entry fields. Gummy GUIĪny disappointment I have for Freeplane is rooted in its graphical user interface. To be clear, Freeplane is a solid mind-mapping tool. The second step is more the result of Freeplane’s user interface. That first step is required with any mind-mapping application you select.

Freeplane review software#

Then you must work through the software conventions to display what you created. These include VYM (View Your Mind), Semantik and Labyrinth Mind-Mapping.įirst, you must get used to graphically thinking through complex ideas in a controlled and confined space on the computer screen.

It is a bit cumbersome to learn and is less intuitive than other mind-mapping gear I have used.