Mind card comparison table. Freemind: we didn't know such memory cards before. free map creation tools

Tamara Gerasimovich

Meet

Mind maps are a schematic representation of the key messages of a book, the main points of a speaker's speech, or your most important action plan. With their help, it is convenient to put things in order in the information chaos. Mind maps have many names - mind map, mind mapping, mind map, mind map, mind map.

The word mind is translated as mind. Psychologists are sure: by drawing cards with felt-tip pens on sheets, you will really become smarter and unleash the potential of your brain. Let's leave these reflections to scientists and talk about the practical implementation of mind mapping.

What, where and how to draw?

The map vaguely resembles a tree. Or a spider. Or an octopus. In general, something that has a center and branches.

In the center is the main idea or problem. Key points depart from it. Each point is also split into several smaller points, if necessary. And so, until the whole problem is clearly worked out.

Why is the card format good?

1. The schematic text is perceived better than the sheet because it is shorter and simpler.
2. Time of information perception is saved.
3. In the process of drawing up a map, the memorization of the material improves.
4. When working on projects, the areas of responsibility are clearly shown by coloring the branches.

How to create maps

Let's not overdo it and complicate it - we will use the algorithm of the author of the maps, Tony Buzan.

• Observe the hierarchy of thoughts;
• In the center is the most important question. Graphic images (pictures, pictograms) are welcome;
• Add volume to images, blocks, rays. This makes the map easier to read;
• Leave a distance between the blocks, do not fence the palisade of rays;
• If you need to emphasize the connection between elements, use lines, arrows, the same colors;
• Be clear and concise. Simple font, one keyword above the corresponding line, main lines are smoother and bolder, words should be placed horizontally.

Mind map - as a Glavred service, only for the brain. Helps clear out the garbage from thoughts.

Mind maps are useful ...

... in progress:

• Plan work projects. Many programs allow all team members to be shared. Changes are made to the map, tasks are prioritized, the execution process is monitored;
• Get ready and hold meetings. With the help of cards, you will outline the speech, highlight the key points, establish the logic of the story. The programs have the ability to create a presentation - this will help you to visually present materials for the planning meeting;
• Make a strategy. Maps, in my opinion, are ideal. They help to go from general to specific;
• Brainstorm. Some programs even have a special mode.

... in training:

• Write down the key thoughts of the seminar, lecture. This outline will help you remember the trainer's train of thought;
• Organize your information. You always have free space to add an important thought.

... in everyday life:

• Plan. I use cards to create plans for the week, month, prepare for important events;
• Make lists. This can be a list of books, films, webinars, purchases, gifts, or just a list of things to do sometime;
• Take notes of the books you read. One main branch - one chapter. Brief thoughts, theses, main points fit perfectly into the format of the cards. In addition, some programs have the ability to take hidden notes. Move the mouse over a specific block and a window will open there with a detailed description of what is written in the block.

We evaluate

I chose 15 programs (+3 from the editorial board) to create mind maps. The collection includes popular drawing services and little-known ones. They differ in design, export capabilities, and ease of management. Some programs are more suitable for personal use, while others help to effectively plan work and school. The description applies to free versions only. Read the review and choose the program that is convenient specifically for you.

For your convenience, I have also prepared a comparative table of the capabilities of all programs presented in the table.

MindMeister

Features of MindMeister:

Tariffs:

1. Free basic package. It has only 3 cards. They can be exported only as text, you can also receive one card for an invited friend;
2. Personal plan ($ 4.99). Unlimited maps, multi-page printing, export to drawing, PDF, priority support;
3. Tariff Pro ($ 8.25). Everything in the previous plan plus Login to Google Apps for Domains, multi-user licensing, export to .docx and .pptx, custom map themes for the whole team, getting statistics and reports;
4. Business plan ($ 12.49). Everything in the previous plan, plus the creation of groups within the program, the creation of a custom domain for logging in, support for export and creation of backups, priority support around the clock.

My impressions

The program is worthy of attention if you have small requests. MindMeister, even in the free version, has quite wide functionality: different styles and colors of blocks, changing the color of text and its style. A small menu appears on the right and with the toggle buttons you change the design mode. Convenient, compact, simple. It is easy to draw maps: select the block from which the next rays should go, and click on the plus sign. If you want to color the blocks and add icons, emoticons - it will work too.

MindMup

Features of MindMup:

• All the basic possibilities for creating a high-quality design are present;
• Simple controls;
• Free export to PDF (the link is available within 24 hours);
• Maps are synchronized if there is one account on the devices;
• Import pictures from disk or cloud in 2 clicks.

Tariffs:

1. Free package. Free version users can create public maps up to 100 KB for a period of 6 months;
2. Individual Gold ($ 2.99 / month). Unlimited number of cards, up to 5 messages in the mail, up to 100 MB of cards, storage on Google Drive;
3. Team Gold ($ 50 / year for 10 users, $ 100 / year for 100 users). Unlimited maps, work with Google / GAFE;
4. Corporate Gold ($ 100 / year). Unlimited number of users and maps they create, work with Google / GAFE.

My impressions

MindMup is ideal for beginners because there is no complex chain of actions. You can insert a picture or edit an inscription with two clicks, create new blocks or delete - with one click. At the same time, the map looks aesthetically pleasing, it is clear and logical. It can be personalized by adding photos. At the time of adding, you can easily resize the image, place it under the text or on the side.

Mind42

Features of Mind42:

• Only the main functionality: adding icons, notes, main and additional nodes;
• Concise card design;
• Export in formats JPEG, PDF, PNG and a few more;
• You can add your map to the general Mind42 groups or view other people's maps;
• The ability to work together on the map;
• The priority of the block task is set. You can easily view the priority by hovering over the special icon.

My impressions

It seems that the creators of the program have already decided a lot for me. For example, we established our own order in which the branches will be located, offered only one type of font and blocks. But you can prioritize and progress tasks. In general, the capabilities of Mind42 are modest, like young girls in ancient Russia.

XMind

XMind Features:

• A large number of templates: fishbone, business plans, SWOT analysis and other useful things;
• Stylish design, bright design - background for the entire card or separately for blocks, a large selection of styles, lines, colors and shapes;
• Brainstorming;
• Convenient presentation creation.

Tariffs:

1. Free. All kinds of charts and synchronization with the cloud.
2. XMind: ZEN Desktop ($ 4.58 / month). Fully functional desktop version.
3. XMind: ZEN Desktop + Mobile ($ 4.99 / month). Desktop + mobile versions.
4. XMind: ZEN Mobile ($ 1.24 / month). Mobile version.
5. XMind 8 Pro ($ 129) The PRO account provides export in PDF, PPT, SVG, OpenOffice, over 60,000 icons, Gantt charts, presentation and brainstorming modes.

My impressions

XMind is definitely worth using. I was thinking about the paid version, but so far the cut-down free one is enough for me. The program has a lot of possibilities. Choosing it for simple drawing up of plans or notes is like driving a Ferrari through the countryside. The program is more suitable for professional teamwork. I love XMind for its design and ease of drawing.

MindJet Mindmanager

Features of MingManager:

• Templates are categorized - meetings and events, management, strategic planning, personal productivity, troubleshooting, flowcharts;
• In terms of design possibilities, it resembles Word - it is just as simple and easy to select text color, flowchart shape, fill, font, alignment, bulleted lists;
• Prioritizing actions. You can set the order of execution of tasks, put beacons such as "risk", "discuss", "postpone", "costs", "for", "against";
• You can brainstorm, build Gantt charts, link cards to each other. Easily switch between map tabs;
• There is a MindManager Plus web account for saving files in the cloud;
• Transferring data from Microsoft Outlook.

Tariffs:

Perpetual license. For Mac it costs 13,000 rubles, for Windows 25,000 rubles. Creation of interactive maps, setting time frames for completing tasks, exporting maps in different formats.

My impressions

Mindmanager offers a lot of training materials and a technical support service. The design of the card can be either concise or playful if you so desire. The controls are simple, all the buttons you need are at hand. If you study this program thoroughly, then it is quite possible to use it for home and work. Data from Excel, Outlook is inserted into the card, you can attach other cards. Personally, I don't need so many functions yet.

PersonalBrain

PersonalBrain features:

• Only the theme can be changed from the design;
• Most of the functions are available after purchasing paid work packages;
• Complex program management;
• Shows a 3D image of the mind map.

Tariffs:

1. Basic paid package ($ 219). Available printing, adding files, links, pictures, notes;
2. Pro packages ($ 299). The integration of the calendar and events, spell checking, saving reports, multipage printing, export of maps are provided. The difference between the Pro License, Pro Combo, TeamBrain packages is the availability of the desktop version and the cloud storage.

My impressions

I didn't like it. First, I went through the application installation quest, ticked the boxes and dots in the required fields. Then she opened the card and was disappointed in the management. If you click on the wrong side, the central block changes and you are disorganized. Well, the design is gloomy. In general, I did not make friends with her.

iMind Map

Features of iMindMap:

• The program offers 4 modes: capturing ideas and thoughts, brainstorming, creating mind maps, converting data into 2D and 3D presentations, pdf files, tables and other formats;
• About 130 kinds of styles;
• At the beginning of the work there are tips: click on the icon, use Tab and Enter;
• There is a spell check;
• Very bright animated presentations;
• You can take notes on each branch, use icons from the series finance, transport, arrows, calendar, communications, flags, numbers, people, etc., change flowchart formats, set deadlines and priorities, add audio files;
• Time map;
• Import of files in IMX, Doc, Docx, IMM, MM, MMAP format;
• Export PDF, SVG, 3D Image, Spreadsheet, Webpage, Project, Audio, DropTask, Power Point Presentation, Zip File Archiving.

Tariffs:

1. For home and study (80 €). Create and edit maps, add images, create art projects, add links and notes, 30 days of use, one license;
2. Maximum (190 €). Adds to the capabilities of the previous package also brainstorming, creating presentations, exporting videos from YouTube, integration with DropTask, three-dimensional image, converting to different formats, a license for a year and 2 computers;
3. Maximum Plus (250 €). Adds to the capabilities of the previous package the books and discs of Tony Buzan, the founder of mind maps.

My impressions

One of the best programs I've used. I would put XMind and MindMup next to her. Very easy to operate. Easily switch between capture, brainstorming, mind maps and time maps, draw blocks and the relationships between them. If you want to recreate the atmosphere of drawing with markers on a drawing paper, then in iMind Map you can draw branches by hand.

Bubbl

Bubbl Features:

• Not very convenient control, you need to get used to;
• Only the general color scheme changes, you cannot change the font, text color or shape of nodes separately;
• 3 cards are created for free;
• The map is saved in formats JPEG, PNG, HTML.

Tariffs:

1. Premium ($ 4.91 per month). Create an unlimited number of maps, track the history of changes, add files and images;
2. Corporate rate. Several licenses are available in it, user account management, user branding creation. The cost of the corporate plan depends on the number of accounts and the subscription period.

My impressions

Nothing special. The controls seemed a little complicated to me, the design was ordinary. Who needs a business card style - welcome!

Comapping

Comapping Features:

• There is only one type of map;
• Small design possibilities;
• Maps can be sent by e-mail, saved in SVG, PDF, Xmind, Freemind, MindManager;
• The service is used for brainstorming, event planning, training.

Tariffs:

Paid versions are based on the number of licenses and version: online or desktop. One online license costs $ 25 per year, desktop - $ 49, and the maximum package of 100 licenses $ 612 and $ 1225 is a discounted price.

My impressions

Nice program, but I don't like the structure of the cards. I like it when the main idea is in the center. The design did not suit me either. Why is she nice then? Its simplicity, unobtrusive design. I liked the way the markings such as “competitor analysis” are highlighted in gray on the map. They do not distract attention, but are useful.

MindGenius

Features of MindGenius:

• Good for team work, educational process. Emphasis is placed on working with enterprises;
• Optimal design possibilities - changing the size, color, font type, background fill color, block shapes;
• Add pictures, links, notes - there is such a function too;
• There are mobile apps for iOS and Android;
• Map export in MS Office applications, JPEG, PNG, PDF, HTML
• A large number of different templates, there are Gantt charts, Swot analysis, and tutorials are provided for each type.

Tariffs:

1. MindGenius2019 by subscription ($ 160 / year, from the second year - $ 56 / year). Includes the program itself and a subscription to the online version + updates.
2. MindGenius2019 unlimited ($ 256). Includes perpetual software license and 1 year online subscription. After a year, the latter can be renewed for $ 42.
3. MindGeniusOnline ($ 16 / month or $ 160 / year). Subscription to the online version.

My impressions

Nice design, easy-to-use controls, great features - a good program in general. If I'm going to run the company, I'll take MindGenius as a note.

Mapul

Mapul features:

• Unusual design. Bright juicy colors of lines and blocks;
• Maps are saved in JPEG, SVG formats;
• Small selection of colors and fonts;
• Not very convenient control. Lines are difficult to change after drawing, text jumps over them and is difficult to read.

Tariffs:

1. Free version. One card and 4 images;
2. Premium package. The number of cards is unlimited. The premium can be purchased for 3, 6 or 12 months. Accordingly, $ 25, $ 35, $ \u200b\u200b49.

My impressions

The design just won me over: bright, juicy, unusual. But the drawing process let us down. I want to align the line - instead, the program draws me an additional branch. All in all, if you get used to it, Mapul can be your favorite.

Mindomo

Features of Mindomo:

• Three accounts: teacher, businessman, student;
• 24 card templates are offered;
• Possibility of joint work on the map by several users. When the card is changed, notifications are received by e-mail;
• There is a backup option;
• Audio and video recordings, images, hyperlinks, icons, symbols are added;
• Priority of tasks is set, comments are added to blocks.

Tariffs:

Purchased for six months. All plans have an unlimited number of mind maps, backup to DropBox and Google. Disk, adding audio and video, password protection of cards, desktop version, synchronization between devices, 7 import formats.

1. Premium ($ 36). It has 8 export formats, 1 GB of memory, 1 user;
2. Professional ($ 90). It has 12 export formats, 5 GB of memory, 1 user;
3. Team ($ 142). It has 12 export formats, 15 GB of memory, 5 users.

My impressions

There is a pleasant aftertaste after working at Mindomo. Drawing is simple - just click on the button next to the block. Pictures are inserted easily and immediately in the optimal size. I liked that you can take notes to each block in the form of simple text or lists - very convenient.

Coggle

Features of Coggle:

• Pop-up tips in English;
• A kind of management. New branches, for example, appear with a double click, the color scheme appears when you right-click;
• There is only one card in the free version;
• Export in PNG, PDF formats;
• Collaboration on the map. There is a chat and comments;
• Change history. The slider moves along the scale, returning the map to the desired editing segment;
• More than 1600 icons;
• A gallery of other people's cards is available;
• Google Drive sync, account required.

Tariffs:

1. Awesome. $ 5 per month or $ 50 per year. Unlimited maps, presentation mode, shared folders, high-resolution image uploads, wide range of color schemes;
2. Organization (corporate). $ 8 per month. Added a separate workspace, consolidated billing, user and time management, branding.

My impressions

I didn't like the design at all. It's not very difficult to understand the controls, the tips are nearby. Lines and blocks are easy to create, change direction. The slider with the cancellation of changes in the map is just a salvation.

ConceptDraw MINDMAP

Features of ConceptDraw MINDMAP:

• There are ready-made design themes. Design possibilities are standard: the size of the letters is changed, the background of the text and the card itself is filled in;
• The map is converted to a text list and vice versa;
• Hyperlinks, notes, icons, labels are added;
• Wide settings for creating a presentation;
• Maps are imported from Xmaind, FreeMaind, MindManager, Word, Power Point programs;
• Export to PDF, Web Pages, MindManager, Word, Power Point. You can export the file as a checklist with completed and unfulfilled tasks;
• You can show presentations via Skype, post to Twitter, send by email and save to Evernote;
• In addition to maps, you can draw diagrams and various flowcharts, manage projects;
• By default, the map is saved on your computer to the My Documents folder.

Tariffs:

This program has a tricky pricing. It depends on the number of users plus additional functions are taken into account. For $ 199, you get the simplest version for 1 license, the upgrade costs $ 99, the corporate package costs $ 299, and 10 licenses for educational tasks cost $ 638.

My impressions

Many useful functions in the program. In addition to the service for creating mind maps, there is also a line of programs for creating business graphics and project management. In general, this is a huge set of tools specifically for business.

LOOPY

LOOPY features:

The service allows you to create "live" diagrams in which elements move between blocks. This allows you to illustrate some cyclical processes.

Tariffs:

The service is free, registration is not required.

My impressions

Very little possibilities for card design. The main thing is that the maps are "live", with their help it is convenient to depict dynamic processes. The resulting diagram can be inserted into the site as an interactive element.

Draw.io

Draw.io features

• Registration is not required. When you first log in, choose where to save the files. If to the cloud, then you need authorization through the appropriate service.
• The files aren't saved in Draw.io, but in your storage — Google Drive, OneDrive, or your computer's hard drive.
• Multifunctional tool. In addition to mind maps, you can create flowcharts, simple infographics, visualize business processes, and even design page layouts.
• There are online and desktop versions, as well as integrations with many tools, including Jira and Trello.

Tariffs

The tool is free without any restrictions. Except when you need to deploy the product on your server.

My impressions

For a quick sketch of thoughts and plans of functions and possibilities, too much. Because of this, the service is more complex than those that are specially designed for mind maps. It may take longer to create. But this is a great option when the scheme needs to be made for a presentation and other similar tasks - complete freedom of action will allow you to draw it exactly the way you need it and design it in a corporate style and colors.

WiseMapping

The tool is free without any restrictions. If you install the program to your server and lack some functions, you can contact the developers.

My impressions

The first impression is confirmed - the tool is very simple and without bells and whistles. From the possibilities - the addition of emoji, links and notes. You can also change the block style, background and border color, text style and color. In my opinion, the tool is well suited for personal use and quick sketches.

SimpleMind

Features of SimpleMind

• Works on different platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android.
• The page size and number of elements are practically unlimited.
• The free version has quite a lot of restrictions - there is no export, you cannot add media files, links and emoji, and the ability to edit the appearance of maps is limited.
• There is no online version, you need to download to your computer.

Tariffs

1. Free basic version. Supports the standard functionality of mind maps and several design styles.
2. Full version (from € 24.99) All program functionality is unlimited.

My impressions

Compare

For your convenience, I have prepared a comparative table of services for you. Click on the image below to download it.

We use

For drawing simple cards with plans for the day, lists and ideas, the following are good:

• MindMeister,
• MindManager,
• MindMup,
• Mind 42,
• Wisemapping,
• Comapping,
• Mapul,
• SimpleMind.

The programs are easy to operate, all the necessary functions are at your fingertips.

Looking for a handy tool for teamwork or strategic planning? Create presentations and assign tasks to the entire department using mind maps. Choose:

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Everyone who has used mind-mapping technology at least once knows how convenient, multitasking and simple it is. This is probably why the compilation of intelligence maps (or mental maps) is starting to enjoy such popularity. Intelligence cards are used to record ideas, associations; help to brainstorm, plan project work, draw up a short business analysis of the situation, and are also used to draw up notes, write abstracts from books and magazines read.

Here's a selection of 8 great mind mapping software. We are sure that these programs will help you to use mind-mapping technology 100%. In the selection you will find many free applications and you can easily choose the best option for yourself.

And if you haven't used the mind mapping method in your work until today, it's time to give it a try!

Coggle

Coggle is a free online project collaboration application. In this program, you can design handy beautiful mind maps. The interface of the program is simple, but at the same time it has many functions that make the process of creating a mind map incredibly simple. The program supports the use of images, individual color schemes and the ability to view the history of the document. Keeping a history of changes allows you to revert to earlier versions of the created map if you are stuck in the current version. Mind-maps created in Coggle can be exported in PNG or PDF format.

Xmind

XMind is a popular cross-platform mind mapping software that runs on Windows / Mac / Linux platforms. The program has several versions: free with reduced features and paid with extended functionality. One of the main advantages of the program is its support and compatibility with the Microsoft Office suite. And a nice addition is the program's ability to work with Gantt charts.

Freemind

The program is an open source free application that runs on any platform that supports Java. In general, the program has all the necessary set of functions for creating high-quality mind maps. The only drawback of the program is the outdated design of the intellect cards.

- paid application for creating mind maps for Mac / IOS. The program has a modern minimalistic design and is very easy to use. It supports integration with all Apple devices, works well on both iPad and mobile versions. The application allows you to export created mind maps in formats: JPG, PDF, TIFF, text formats, and also supports exporting mind maps to the format of the competing Freemind program.

A trial version of the program with a limited set of functions MindNode Lite is available for users unfamiliar with the program.

BubblUs

Bubble.us is a free web application for online mind mapping. The application allows you to create simple mind-maps and export them in image format. The functionality of the program in comparison with the simple solutions of MindNode and Coggle seems a little heaped up, but nevertheless the program solves the set task and creates a good intellect of the map. The program works on flash and will not work on smartphones.

The program is a paid online mind mapping application. Provides several options for a subscription fee, and also provides the opportunity to use the program for free. You can build 3 mind maps with limited export capabilities for free. The application has a user-friendly interface and all the necessary set of functions, which makes it possible to understand the simplicity and convenience of the intellect cards technology. The disadvantage of the program is the possibility of full use only with regular payment, so it is more suitable for those who use mind maps regularly. The program is Russified.

Mapul

Mapul is a paid online mind mapping application. Like MindMeister, Mapul runs on a monthly subscription basis. The program stands out from all other apps for its quirky mind map design.

The program is a free online application for creating mind maps, working on open source HTML5. The program can be used directly on the developer's website, or you can download the open source code of the program and install it on your own web server. The application has a full range of functions for working with intelligence - maps technology.

Opinions were roughly halved on mind maps.

Someone says it's a great thing, visual and useful. Someone says that this is nonsense and wasted time. Another part of the people did not understand at all what it was and why it was needed, apparently it was my fault - I did not explain well.

I made an unacceptable mistake for a copywriter - instead of speaking in the language of benefits for the consumer, I began to describe the quality of the product, without first motivating the audience.

Well, they learn from mistakes, especially since this is not an advertising text at all, despite the fact that an affiliate link to the program is present, as someone probably noticed 🙂 However, this is more likely my optimism or even belief in a miracle, given that that 9 out of 10 still download from torrents, and the rest use the free version)

This is really my rave review of a cool thing that, surprisingly, quickly interested and absorbed some of my time)

So, what are the benefits of using iMindMap

I will not paint large lists of advantages, you can read the last article and comments to it, I have already written a lot there.

Just to give an example:

Your schedule for the week, if you write it down on one sheet of paper in linear text ( i think the sheet should be big), how long will it take to cover and, most importantly, realize it completely at a glance? And what to remember in detail and after a while is just as easy to reproduce from memory? And most importantly, how much effort will be spent on this?

Now imagine that you have made a mental map of your schedule and feel the difference, as they say)

This is not my map, found on the Internet)

If even now you do not see the difference and benefit, then try to do this trick on your own in order to feel it on yourself. That's just after you try it yourself, and say that it's nonsense, it's not interesting, it's not of any use, then I'll believe you) And so far it's just "too lazy to bother")

Here is another example of a mental map in Russian, otherwise not everyone liked the English versions last time.

And the practical application of mindcards in articles on the blog, and tell me that they do not work, Svetlana did a very good job) Watch the video by the way, this is a presentation from the same program.

Why chose iMindMap software for creating mind maps?

One of the main reasons - in developing Tony Buzan himself participated directly, creator and promoter of mind maps. Agree, this is such a significant plus sign.

Graphics - I was very impressed by it, compared to other programs - beautiful, stylish, simple. And most importantly, flexibility and smoothness - how nice it is to drag these branches, and they themselves smoothly adjust to the overall picture))

Intuitive interface - yes, they will forgive me for the clichés, but it is so) It will not be difficult to figure out how to work in it, additional options are mastered as needed. This is not adobe illustrator to learn with its thousands of options and settings)

Here is my trial first mind map for one of the blog articles, made in this program in 20 minutes.

Here, of course, without pictures and not according to all the rules, I did not strain too much, as you can see \u003d) But I think the essence of the article conveys.

By the way, there you can use a set of ready-made symbols and icons, you can upload your images, or you can generally draw manually using the built-in graphic editor, which is generally a pleasure for those who like to draw)

It is also possible to write notes to keys, floating text, insert sound files, make presentations, and many more interesting buns. The main functionality is available even in the free version, in fact, it is quite enough for normal use. Full features will cost $ 250, well, I kind of wrote about this ( i personally don't need them yet)

By the way, the paid version of iMindMap supports its own cloud service, with the ability to synchronize mind maps, as well as editing in a flash environment.

Ultimately, what I want to say is that for especially complex technical posts, it is quite possible I will use the schematics created in this program and add them to the articles for clarity.

And maybe I won't 🙂 But at least for myself, I have already found a use for mental maps.

No related posts.

XMind is a program for drawing up so-called mind maps. Such maps help organize information in a visual associative form. Each element of the map can represent a thought or an idea linked to other ideas through hierarchical relationships. You can use XMind to find optimal solutions, brainstorm, solve business problems, and more. XMind allows you to organize idea maps in logical, tree, and other views. The appearance of map elements is customizable - you can set the background color, font settings, add text notes and files, tables, markers, hyperlinks, annotations, and link ideas to others.

The program allows you to focus on specific areas of mind maps, create voice notes, check spelling of text, use the search for map elements, export data and publish the created maps on the Internet. This application can import maps created in other programs of this kind, for example - FreeMind and MindManager. XMind supports templates and themes for maps, and also allows you to protect maps from unauthorized access with a password. In addition to the free version, there are several paid versions of XMind that allow you to save maps in Word, Power Point and PDF formats, brainstorm and create presentations.

There are various ways to capture your thoughts or convey them to your audience. You can write, underline and highlight text in different colors, draw, draw tables, diagrams and graphs. The human brain is designed in such a way that it wants to perceive information visually. Psychologists thought about this a long time ago and developed the concept of a mind map, which can also be called a mind map, mind map, etc. (eng. mind map). At the heart of such a connection diagram is a central idea, from which a certain number of branches depart, continuing to diverge further. The central idea can be a question, task, problem, or area of \u200b\u200bknowledge, and branches can be solutions.

Psychologist Tony Buzan is considered the inventor of the method, although, of course, one cannot attribute the authorship of the idea to one person. He wrote a lot of books on the development of thinking and memory, contributing a lot to the popularization of mental maps. And in 2006, under his leadership, a software for creating mind maps called iMindMap was developed. Thus, the method of visualizing thinking was transferred from paper to computer, gaining a lot of additional possibilities.

⇡ About the program

iMindMap is far from the only program on the list of mind map editors. And although in terms of functionality and prevalence it is inferior to Mindjet MindManager and ConceptDraw Office MindMap, it is an application with the “most human face”. iMindMap is cross-platform - there are versions for Windows desktop systems, Mac and Linux, and for mobile devices iPhone, iPad and Android, as well as a cloud version. The program has a visually pleasing interface and supports Russian. You do not need to understand it for a long time - an unprepared user can immediately understand what this technique is. But most importantly, mind maps are more "lively" and interesting than in similar editors, where they have a somewhat scientific look. However, you'd better take a look at the screenshot and decide for yourself which type of cards you like best.

Left - map made in iMindMap, right - in Mindjet MindManager

The program is available in three editions: Basic, Home & Student and Ultimate, differing in the available functionality. The basic version is free, the educational one costs $ 67, the basic one - $ 256. There is also a version for mobile devices with access to the "cloud" for $ 13.99 per year. To get the free edition, you must register on the official ThinkBuzan website. Despite the large number of restrictions, the main function - to create a map and export it as an image - you can quite use.

⇡ Creating a map in the program

iMindMap has a familiar office interface and Ribbon-style menus. The open map is displayed in the main information window, on the right there is a panel for inserting additional objects, which can be docked. Switching between maps is carried out on the tab bar under the main window.

IMindMap interface

Creating a new map begins with choosing an image for the central idea. If the pictures present do not suit you, you can open your own. Then change the name of this object and start branching branches from it in different directions to any length. From the tips of those branches - new branches, and so it is possible ad infinitum. Each branch is given a name that spreads along its length and can be aligned to one side, like text on a page. The shape of the branch can be changed by bending it in different ways at several key points. The location changes the same way - it is enough to grab the branch by the tip and move it to any place, while other branches will automatically move. Branches at any level can be collapsed and expanded, various actions can be performed on them - delete, cut and paste, repaint, change the font of the name.

Adding new branches

The essence of this process is to find all the options for solving the problem, ways of completing the task, etc. For example, you are about to launch a website - this will be the central idea. One branch of "development" will depart from it, others - "filling", "optimization", "promotion". From the last branch, in turn, "banner exchange", "contextual advertising", "promotion in social networks" will stand out. From "social media promotion" - Facebook, VKontakte, Twitter and so on. Thus, all points related to the implementation of this task will be thought out and clearly presented.

It should be said that additional central ideas can be added to the map. Branches extending from it will not intersect with the main tree. Rather, it is a visual convenience associated with the unlimitedness of the canvas. It is also possible to create child maps at any part of the branch - in this case, the selected branch will become the central idea, from which all subsequent branches will depart.

Various objects can be attached to each branch to complement its informational value: icons, pictures, notes, audio recordings and links. The icons are divided into groups, each symbolizing something different - a trip, a document, a person, a calendar month. They appear near the tip of a branch, as do images that are also attached to branches. But notes, audio recordings and links are created and viewed / listened to / opened in the sidebar - only the designating symbol will be visible on the branches. You can attach several different objects: for example, add a screenshot of the site along with a description and a link to it.

Adding a note to a branch

You can attach objects to the branches, or you can add pictures, tables and flowcharts, which are created here using the simplest editors. These elements will be displayed under the branches, like pictures. You can resize, undock, and drag to empty space or other branches. Floating text and pictures are also inserted from scratch to indicate information not tied to a tree. All added objects can be moved to the back and front if they overlap.

Adding branches is carried out in several modes. You can draw standard branches by hand, giving them any shape - in this case, the number of geometric points can be unlimited. Branches with a border at the end are also inserted, and the text is located inside it, and not along the length of the entire branch. You can add links between the branches with arrows - this allows you to visually loop your tree and connect individual elements to each other. True, with a large number of arrows, it becomes difficult to make out where they all lead. A cloud-shaped border is applied to the branches, which also passes to the child branches - but what is bad, it does not go back.

Framing branches

When you place branches on the screen, they can be pinned to maintain shape and location. If you do not want to form the layout manually, there is a "magic" function "Cleaning", which will automatically arrange your tree, giving it the most compressed look. By the way, shrinking can be performed every time you collapse and delete branches, or in general, when you change the map, if you configure this accordingly in the "SmartLayout Options". In the same place, the style of the tree changes - the degree of "roundness" of the branches is selected (you can make them completely straight) and their "spreading", that is, the minimum distance from each other.

Map before and after "cleaning"

If you do not like the color scheme and structure of the branches of the map, you can choose different tones and style of the tree (type of rounding and line thickness), as well as the fonts and background color of the canvas. The card can be given both a strict corporate and a cheerful childish look, and if you liked the result, then add the specified style to the standard ones. You can save the entire map as a template. When creating a new card, it is possible to use ready-made educational, personal and business templates.

iMindMap uses its own IMX format to save maps, and allows exporting in many formats: raster and vector images, documents, presentations, web pages, projects, audio recordings, tables, archives and OPML markup. In free and trial versions, saving is available only in JPEG and PNG formats, but the resolution can be quite high.

⇡ Map display modes

Mind maps in iMindMap can be viewed in different display modes. If you want to demonstrate a map of the audience (first of all, using a projector), then there are two modes for this: 3D and presentation. The three-dimensional view is quite spectacular, moreover, it allows you to navigate through the branches in an interactive mode.

Displaying the map in 3D

Presentation mode will show you how to create a map step by step. A mouse click brings up the next slide.

Displaying the map as a presentation

In addition, you can view the map in the form of a classic catalog, where instead of branches, their names are displayed, which can be collapsed and expanded. But users who plan their time can be especially interested in displaying the map in the form of a project, where the link with the Gantt chart operates.

Displaying the map as a project

Here you should be aware that each added branch is by default a task that has a start and end date and a status (completed or incomplete). Initially, the day of the task creation is set in both date fields, and these parameters can be changed only for the final branches that do not have a continuation. At the same time, changes in child branches automatically shift the date range and percentage of completion in the parent branch, which is the unifying task; that, in turn, has its own, and so on until the "global" task - the central idea. It is convenient to indicate the percentage of completion by attaching icons with project progress rates to the branches, as well as on the Gantt chart. This is a scale that clearly shows the time intervals during which various tasks are performed (it has its own characteristics, but we will not delve into them in this article). It is also very convenient to change the duration and time of tasks on it. Finally, branches that are not tasks can be disconnected from use in project management.

⇡ Synchronization with the "cloud"

As mentioned earlier, the program is cross-platform and is also present in the "cloud". The web version is intended primarily for synchronizing maps between different devices, but it also allows you to edit them in a browser window. To use the service, you must have a ThinkBuzan account. And although 1 GB of space is provided on the server, synchronization of only five cards is available in free mode, and it happens only once every 24 hours. For money, these restrictions will be removed. This service is paid separately from the purchase of the program, while you can download the iMindMap version for your mobile device on the iOS / Android platform. The package is called iMindMap Freedom and the subscription is $ 13.99 per year.

ThinkBuzan Cloud Card Management

You can view and edit maps in the cloud in the same way as local ones. You can rename, delete, sort them by folders both through the application interface and in the web version. To add a card to the "cloud", you need to select "Save to ThinkBuzan Cloud" in the save mode and specify the appropriate folder. On the service website, this is done using the "Import" button. The export function in various formats is available in paid mode only.

ThinkBuzan Cloud editor

The "cloud" map editor is made on the Flash platform. Its functionality is greatly reduced compared to the desktop version, and only English is available from the languages. The process of adding branches remained the same, and their appearance was preserved. It is still possible to add frame branches and links. You can change colors, fonts and text alignment. Icons, notes and links are attached to branches, and on the canvas you can arrange pictures and floating text. Actually, this is all, but the main thing is that the cards do not lose their attractiveness online.

⇡ Conclusion

iMindMap was created under the guidance of the author of the idea of \u200b\u200bmind maps, and is sometimes called the official software for this technique. The program was made for general users who are inexperienced in complex conceptual applications. It is inferior in functionality to many other editors, but surpasses all analogues in terms of style, usability and cross-platform. iMindMap can be a very useful tool for students, office workers, and anyone else with a plan and data analyst. It can be used for a variety of purposes: organizing projects and various aspects of life, taking notes of books and lectures, structuring knowledge. Thanks to the presence of iMindMap on all major platforms and synchronization of maps with the "cloud", they will always be with you, wherever you are and whatever device you are currently using.