Freeplane version 1.3.15

Freeplane Mind Mapping Help Docs

“Freeplane is a free and open source software application that supports thinking, sharing information and getting things done at work, in school and at home”

Freeplane version 1.3.15

Table of Contents

Freeplane version 1.3.15

Welcome!

What is Freeplane?

Freeplane is a mind mapping software. A tool that helps you organizing your ideas and projects visually.

Use it as a study aide or for planning a trip. Freeplane is free, flexible and intuitive. Available add-ons

offer more capabilities to spice up your maps.

Expand your mind!

Organize your thoughts!

Gain knowledge!

Freeplane version 1.3.15

Terminology

Term Description

Canvas Work area used to place nodes and connectors to make your mind map.

Central Topic The main node that holds the central idea of your project and all other nodes branch off it.

Node A place holder for text, images, media, files, folders and hyperlinks.

Parent Node A node that has other nodes branching off it. Sibling Node(s) Node(s) that branch off a same topic node.

Child Node The end node(s) or last node(s) that branches off a topic. Branches The lines that connect nodes to one another.

Hyperlinks Links to files, folders, media, images, web-pages, other nodes or maps. Format Change the shape or color of a node or branch. Change text font and colors.

Terms Explained Image

Freeplane version 1.3.15

Installation

Part 1

Once the installation has started the first window you will see is the “Welcome to the Freeplane Setup Wizard” (Image 1). Click “Next” and the “License Agreement” window will open (Image 2).

Image 1 Image 2

Read the license agreement, accept the agreement and click “Next”.

Small window will open up as shown in (Image 3). This is the language setup window, if English is your preferred language then click “OK”. If not click on the “Down Arrow” for a drop down list of available languages see (Image 4). Then click “OK”

Image 3 Image 4

Freeplane version 1.3.15

Installation

Part 2

If you prefer a different location for the files to be installed click “Browse” see (Image 5), and select a new location from the scroll down window as shown in (Image 6) click “OK” and “Next” as shown in (Image 5)

Image 5 Image 6

Last steps in the installation are to “Select Start Menu Folder” shortcuts. By default they are installed in a folder named “Freeplane”, you can change the name if you like or opt out of creating any folder by checking the box “Don’t create Start Menu Folder” as shown in (Image 7) click “Next” and another window will open for additional choices to be made in your installation (Image 8) make selections as need or just click “Next”

Image 7 Image 8

Image 9

Final step. A summary window will open showing the selections you have made. If all seems to be in order then just click “Install”. If you need to change the choices you made just click “Back” and redo your selections.

Freeplane version 1.3.15

Startup

When starting up Freeplane for the first time you should see the following window as displayed below. Freeplane will open up to a default mind map which will explain its capabilities with links to other maps and the Freeplane website. It is good practice to use this map to familiarize you to some of the superficial aspects of Freeplane without getting in too deep into its internal workings. If you are not tech savvy, not to worry… nothing here is written in code… or is it?

This simple effective tutorial map is a good way to see how Freeplane works. Don’t delve too deep on how things are done but rather on what can be done with Freeplane. The “how to” will be explained in later chapters.

Freeplane version 1.3.15

Menus & Tool Bars

Breakdown

This is a breakdown of the tool bars on the Freeplanes Window. As shown in the image below, the “Menu Bar” and “Tool Bar” are visible by default. You can choose to view or hide them. Also have the option to view or hide other toolbars by going to “View”>“Toolbars” on the “Menu Bar”. You can also use the “Context Menu” by right clicking anywhere on the canvas and uncheck the bar or panel you want to view or hide.

“Icon Tool Bar” can be use to add standard images to your nodes. Can also be hidden as shown above. First three icons at the top of the “Icon Tool Bar” are buttons to removes icons inserted in nodes.

From top to bottom they are “Remove First Icon” “Remove Last Icon” “Remove All Icons”. The “Status Bar” displays information about nodes and on the map you are working on. Examples of this would be the “Saved” status of the map or links information as you hover over a node.

Freeplane version 1.3.15

Menus & Tool Bars

Properties Panel

The “Properties Panel” is displayed on the right side of the work are it can be brought up by “Right Click” on a blank area of the canvas and checking “Properties Panel”.

Or by clinking on “View” on the “Menu Bar” and selecting “Properties Panel”.

The “Format” tab displays information about your mind map. It shows fonts and colors. Node shapes and edge colors. Branch shapes and colors. The “Calendar and Attributes” tab lets enter calendar functions to nodes and even enter scripts.

Freeplane version 1.3.15