Programs for mind mapping. Program for creating mental maps iMindMap

What is DG - purpose and operating principles

Why is DG needed? Maps and diagrams are the main means of expressing quantitative patterns for a reason - unlike tables with numbers, they give us image phenomena and allow you to literally at one glance assess the overall picture, note the differences and feel the patterns. It is this feature of human perception that explains the widespread use of graphic packages and cartographic systems for illustrative and analytical purposes. DataGraf (DG) is an extremely simple, compact and fast program that allows you to turn a series of numerical data along any spatial divisions into a capacious cartographic image.

Is DG a GIS? Typically, GIS - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is used to create cartographic illustrations based on number series. ArcView, MapInfo etc.).
However, these are very complex, voluminous and expensive programs, since they are designed to solve special geographical tasks, rather than for the creation of illustrations by a wide range of users. Module Microsoft Map, built in Excel, also does not solve this problem, since it is a variation of one of the well-known GIS, inherits the basic principles of its implementation and is focused on using only ready-made digital maps (if you need a map of your region, it is assumed that you will buy it or order digitization from a company). At the same time, for illustrative and even analytical purposes, a full-fledged digital map is not needed - if you are interested image, general patterns of a phenomenon, or just a picture for a report, then the exact geographic coordinates on which the map is constructed are unlikely to be of interest. It is this niche among cartographic programs that is occupied by DG is not GIS, he creates not geographical maps, A cartograms(according to the classification accepted by geographers) and does not use the concepts of geographic coordinates when constructing them. Therefore, everywhere below, the more familiar word “map” will mean “cartogram”. DG is not a GIS, but a tool for creating cartograms. There are no known programs of this class on the market today.

Who needs DG? The program will be appreciated by those who are engaged in analytical cartography is a very convenient and flexible tool for visualizing data, modeling situations, and constructing synthetic indicators. The program will certainly be useful to those who simply need prepare cartographic illustrationfor coursework, diploma, report, etc.. And finally, exceptional simplicity, compactness and unpretentiousness make DG unsurpassed a tool for learning the basics of computer cartography — in schools, colleges and universities. It is possible that the program will also seem useful to professional geographers for solving certain applied problems (social, economic, etc.).

What can DG do? DataGraf is not just a program, but a completely self-sufficient cartographic system, which includes everything you need to create full-fledged databases and maps literally “ from scratch - and turnkey". The system allows:
create your own vector(arbitrarily scalable) maps - area and point, using any suitable picture as a template
create for each map an unlimited number of thematic databases with numerical information linked to it
enter and edit numerical data manually, from the clipboard, external file
copy, delete, rearrange data, exchange between databases, as well as automatically recalculate indicators between two databases of different structures
export data to other applications via clipboard and files
represent any series of numerical data in the form of a map
the map can be scaled arbitrarily without loss of quality
any card can have an arbitrary color scheme, for which there is a built-in palette editor
Legend and map parameters can be changed arbitrarily, for which there is a built-in style editor
The title and an arbitrary number of other captions can be displayed on the card - in any font and size, with a transparent or solid background
by clicking on the map you can get information at a given point, display the name of the region on the map, as well as the value of the current indicator in any fonts
it is possible to work with two or more maps of the same territory, but with different division principles
the resulting image can be written to disk in any format supported by your operating system
an image of the entire map or its fragment can be recorded on the clipboard for transfer to other programs
in addition to area objects (region), you can also work with point objects (settlement area)
point objects can be represented by geometric shapes or any of your pictograms (with transparent and opaque backgrounds), the methods of their graphical representation can be changed
Point objects have their own independent legend, the parameters of which can also be changed arbitrarily.
for maps of one territory, simultaneous work with area and point objects is possible (both cartographic overlay and recalculation of indicator values)
A unique feature of the system is the built-in formula calculator, which allows you to perform operations with data series using the formula you specify and record the result as a new indicator
The calculator has its own cartographic window, in which you immediately see the calculation result in the form of a map, which allows you to very quickly and conveniently check various relationships and simulate situations.

All this “filling” is located in two files, the total volume of which about 350 KB(!)(note - Kilo- byte!). In other words, on one regular floppy disk(if anyone remembers what this is) feel free to sign up four copies a fully functional system (compare with any other mapping programs). To the best of the author's knowledge, In terms of functionality/size ratio, DG is the most compact mapping system in the world! I will be happy to withdraw this statement if someone writes an even more compact one...

How did this happen? In fact DG was not invented one fine day, but had behind it 20 -year-old history. Beginning with 1990 Over the years, ideas and algorithms were gradually invented and refined, brick by brick, and eventually DataGraf for DOS appeared, which was quite popular in its time. This program is simply an implementation of the same ideas under Windows, and in the minimum required set. The design, by modern standards, is of course a little old, but if you don’t need “checkers”, but “to go”, then you can definitely try it.

For free? Yes, since autumn 2016 in honor 20 year old anniversary Practical Science full version of the program absolutely free. Moreover, if for your tasks just maps of Russia or Moscow are enough, then you don’t even need to create maps, they are included in the system - just download and use:

If you wish to provide feedback, suggestions, or comments on the work DG you can use Forum section "Original programs"
Good luck!

Capture ideas at the speed of thought - using a mind map maker designed to help you focus on your ideas and remove all the distractions while mindmapping.

Create unlimited mind maps for free, and store them in the cloud. Your mind maps are available everywhere, instantly, from any device.

Brainstorm, create presentations and document outlines with mind maps, and publish your ideas online and to social networks.

Storage options

MindMup Cloud

Free users can create public maps up to 100 KB and save them up to six months.

10 Tools for Creating Mind Maps

No account or registration needed.

Gold users can create private maps, share and edit concurrently.

Google Drive

Anyone can create maps for free. Share and collaborate as with any other Google Apps document. No additional registration needed, just use your Google accounts, including Google Apps for Work and Google Apps for Education.

Create a new mapOpen an existing map

Why use MindMup?

MindMup is great for individual note-taking, collaborative planning, teamwork and classrooms.

• 1 Powerful keyboard shortcuts speed up your work
• 2 Frictionless interface helps you focus
• 3 Convert maps easily to PDF, PowerPoint, outlines…
• 4 Publish and share maps online
• 5 Easily save to Google Drive and manage using Google Apps

MindMup is super-simple, lightweight, and generally a joy to use

If you like to plan and brainstorm by creating mind maps to link together ideas, MindMup is a great browser-based program that helps you get organized with lots of features.

MindMup is the sort of app everyone dreams of finding online.

Structure writing

Use notes and attachments to quickly create a structure for an article or a writing assignment, then create a document outline and continue editing in your favorite writing tool

Create storyboards

Use a frictionless planning canvas to capture and organize your thoughts, and then put them into a powerful storyboard to turn a hierarchy of ideas into a sequence of slides.

Post to social media

MindMup Atlas automatically adds images and contextual information to ensure that your maps show up nicely on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Plan and manage projects

Add measurements to map nodes to automatically calculate cost, completion and other important factors. Manage project progress easily with icons and priorities.

Collaborate easily

MindMup supports concurrent editing for teams and classrooms, enabling you to instantly see updates made to your map by other users.

Attach documents

Add longer text, videos and spreadsheets to your maps. MindMup for Google Drive also allows you to link to other project documents on Google Drive easily.

Add images

Quickly add images and icons to your maps to provide context and illustrations. MindMup for Google Drive even integrates with Google Photos and Google Image Search.

Administer easily

Administrators can easily control sharing settings for the entire organization. MindMup also integrates with Office365 and Google authentication for easy account management.

Free user

Free

• Unlimited number of maps
• No account/login required
• Save maps up to 100 KB to MindMup storage, for up to six months.
• Save larger maps to Google Drive.
• Export maps up to 100 KB.
• Publish maps for up to six months.
• Community chat help and support.

Personal Gold

$2.99

• Unlimited number of maps.
• Edit concurrently and collaborate with other Gold users.
• Save large maps to MindMup storage.
• Export and publish large maps.
• Dedicated email help and support.

Organizational Gold

$100

• Unlimited number of maps
• Unlimited number of users
• Export and publish large maps.
• Authenticate using Office 365 or Google accounts.
• Dedicated email help and support.

How to create a mind map

It seems that the task is clear as day, but where to start and how to finish without returning to the beginning is unclear. So, in such situations, intelligence cards come to the rescue. They will help you visually plan the entire work process and greatly simplify your work.

Intelligence cards are blocks of various shapes, the content of which is key information that describes an important step or action when working with a project. They help us come up with new ideas, remember important points, plan our work, make decisions and control the entire work process.

The advantage of mind maps on a computer over paper versions is the ability to change it and add different graphics. In addition, information in electronic form is more pleasant to perceive.

Programs for creating mind maps

There are many programs that allow you to create mind maps.

10 Free Map Making Tools

There are paid ones and there are free ones. But the meaning in them is the same, to structure information. The only difference is in the interface. Therefore, I propose to consider only two programs:

1.Microsoft Power Point

2. XMind Manager

Power Point is a slightly different program, but you can also make mind maps in it. I chose it for one simple reason: most teachers are familiar with it and not everyone is able to learn a new program for different tasks.

XMind Manager is a free program, but it can easily be compared with paid analogues. It is this program that I use when developing my mind maps and I advise you to use it.

Creating mind maps

PowerPoint 2010

An intelligence card usually consists of blocks. There are two ways to create it in Power Point. Using autoshapes and smart objects.

The first method requires more painstaking work, so it is inconvenient. The second method has many ready-made templates, so it is best to use it.

Quick Guide

1. Open the Power Point program

2. Go to the menu Insert -Smartart

3. A window will appear asking you to select a mind map template. Choose the option you like. Click OK. After this, test blocks will appear.

Now these blocks can be changed.

To add a new block, right-click on any of the blocks. Then select Add a shape. 4 options for adding shapes will appear:

· Add figure after - the figure will be added to the right of the block (which was clicked with the right mouse button)

· Add figure forward - the figure will be added to the left of the block

· Add figure above - the figure will be added one level higher from the block

· Add a figure below - the figure will be added one level below the block

To change the block shape, also right-click on the shape and select Change figure. Choose any other shape.

I think you will figure out how to add text.

It is worth noting that it is very inconvenient to create mind maps in this program, and the purpose of this program is different. And if you need to create a large intelligence map with numerous objects, then it is better to use the XMind program.

Undoubtedly this program is one of the best. Moreover, it is free to use. You can download the program on this page of the official XMind website.

Everything here is intuitive, clear and simple. There are no fancy actions.

When you start the program, you will have one main block, the Central section. Based on this block, you can create other blocks; to do this, press the key Enter.

To create blocks one level lower, use the key Tab.

You can also insert a note (text) for each block; to do this, click F4.

In the lower right corner there is a properties panel for the selected blocks, in which you can modify any element.

All blocks can be easily dragged and dropped as we please. And for each individual block you can add various markers (pictures).

In principle, all this could not be written here, since when you open XMind, you could easily master the program interface on your own.

That's all here. If you have any questions, write in the comments and I will definitely answer them.

303017.06.2015 Programs

When it comes to explaining something complicated, people often take up a piece of paper and a pen and start drawing and drawing. In this way, you can give your interlocutor a visual representation of the problem, which often becomes the key to understanding it. It’s not for nothing that they say: “It’s better to see once than to hear a hundred times.”

What is a mind map

Any concept, event or process can be divided into components, united by logical and associative connections. Sound confusing? This is true. But consider, for example, such concepts as “site”, “design”, “content” and “code”.

The concept of “site” is broader and includes others. This means that “site” can be identified as the central concept from which connections go to “design”, “content” and “software”. So, perhaps, a thought map (or mind map) of an online project could begin.

Why is this necessary?

This type of diagram helps when people are thinking about complex problems and looking for ideas and solutions. Just remembering all the nuances of a project requires significant mental resources that could be used more efficiently. The advantage of such a map is that if thoughts are written down or sketched on paper, there is no need to keep them in your head, you can immediately see the full picture, without losing details at the same time. The outline of an information-intensive project may ultimately turn out to be quite ramified, but it becomes clear which parts of the plan require improvement and what actions should be taken to achieve this.

MindMeister features

Drawing (and especially editing) high-quality diagrams by hand is not always convenient and takes a lot of time, so it is not surprising that hundreds of thousands of people prefer to do this using special software.

The advantage of the MindMeister service is its multifunctional, user-friendly interface and the ability to safely store data online. The entire history of map changes is saved on MindMeister servers and backed up on several clouds. So there is no need to worry about data loss.

MindMeister also has a mobile application that allows you to edit mind maps and synchronize data from mobile devices. This means you can always have your plans at hand. The service is quite convenient when working with touch devices.

In addition, MindMeister supports offline mode, so the user can edit their maps without access to the Internet. When the Internet becomes available again, the new data is simply synchronized with the account.

To make work easier, MindMeister offers users ready-made templates for specific cards, for example, specifically for cards in the field of business, events, education, etc.

How much does it cost?

You can start using MindMeister with the free (“Basic”) package.

It allows you to create up to three mind maps simultaneously.

Review of 17 shareware programs for creating mind maps

If you want to continue working with the service at a more serious level, you can switch to one of the paid options. At the moment, MindMeister has three main tariffs: “Personal”, “Pro” and “Business”. All paid packages allow you to create an unlimited number of mind maps. The “Personal” package differs in that only one user can edit the map, while “Pro” and “Business” allow several administrators to do this at once. The business package, among other things, provides round-the-clock e-mail support for users.

Thus, the Personal package is best suited for solo workers, the Pro package is suitable for both personal and team projects, and the Business package is intended for teams of more than ten people. For the first 30 days, these packages can be used for free, then, depending on the chosen tariff, the service will cost the user from $4.99 to $14.99 per month per user. It's also worth noting that MeindMeister has special discounts on packages for students and teachers.

What does your mind map look like?

MindMeister is considered one of the most widely used mind mapping services in the online environment. It has hundreds of thousands of users around the world who appreciate its easy to understand, pleasant interface and reliability. This tool for organizing information has many applications both in a business environment and for planning personal time.

MindMeister can be especially useful for those who are just starting their own online project, while experienced entrepreneurs will appreciate all the additional features and capabilities of this tool.

Download Professional Mind Map Software – MindMaster

MindMaster is a cross-platform and multi-functional mind mapping software. It provides effective mind mapping solutions for problem-solving, brainstorming, knowledge management, business planning, note-taking, and project management. Users can enjoy from a wide range of impressive features including user-friendly interface, abundant layout options, exquisite icons and cliparts, high quality preset themes, import and export, and a large variety of templates. The program also focuses on collaboration capabilities such as task assignment, Gantt view, comment and cloud teamwork. What’s more, its presentation function is fantastic. You can choose to turn the map branches into slideshows automatically, or present the whole map in a big picture and traverse topics one by one.

MindMaster offers a free version which is already good enough for most people’s needs, and the Pro version allows uses to access more advanced functions like high DPI support, cloud collaboration, etc. MindMaster has been well received by worldwide fans since release, and it aims to be a superior and competent mind mapping tool with cutting edge functions and high user experience.

Download All-in-One Diagram Software - EDRAW MAX:

Edraw max is an all-in-one diagram software for mind map, flowchart, org chart and more. It supports more than 200 diagram types.

Comparison of Edraw MindMaster and Edraw Max

Focuses on mind map only for Radial Map, Tree Map,
Org-chart Map and Concept Map

All-in-one tool for more than 260 diagram types including Mind Map, Flowchart,
Network Diagram, Infographic, P&ID, Org Chart, Floor Plan, etc.

Supports 30 mind map themes, hand-drawn style, and rainbow color

Supports 9 mind Map themes

Supports inserting relationships, callouts, boundary, tag,
summary, mark, clipart, hyperlink, attachment and comment

Supports inserting relationships, callouts, clipart, hyperlink,
attachment and comment

Supports cloud saving and quick sharing with Html 5 web link

Supports task management and Gantt mode

Supports auto slides generation and dynamic presentation (traverse)

Supports importing mind maps from Xmind, MindManager and Edraw,
and exporting mind maps to MindManager

Supports both auto-layout and freestyle mind maps

Mind Map Software Interface Screenshot

Below are UI screenshots of the two programs.

13 Free Mind Map Software

MindMaster has both the white and the dark gray UI. You can choose either one you like.

Video Tutorial – Edraw Mind Map in 2 Minutes

Video Tutorial – Edraw MindMaster in 2 Minutes

Get Started! You Will Love This Easy-To-Use Diagram Software.

Edraw Max is perfect not only for professional-looking flowcharts, organizational charts, mind maps, but also network diagrams, floor plans, workflows, fashion designs, UML diagrams, electrical diagrams, science illustration, charts and graphs… and that is just the beginning !

Download PC VersionMac Version

XMind program

Creating mind maps in XMind

In the first part of our story about mind maps and programs for compiling them, we listed the main advantages of using specialized programs for compiling mind maps.

Now let's start practicing - create a memory map in the XMind program.

The main purpose of creating this memory card will be to control the writing of the thesis project. Those who have graduated from a university know that writing a diploma project is a voluminous and complex task that cannot be completed in 1-2 days. Therefore, as an example, we will create a mind map using the XMind program, where we will divide the process of writing a thesis into separate small parts.

As the famous saying goes: “The big elephant is eaten in pieces...”.

The program will only help us in controlling the process of writing a thesis, structuring information on the thesis, taking notes on specific chapters, etc.

TOP 10 programs for creating mind-maps

The convenience is that all the information will be presented in the form of one memory card. Everything will be in one place. During the process, the map can be changed, adding or removing what seems important.

First you need to install the XMind program on your computer. There is both a paid version of this program (called XMind Pro) and a free one. Naturally, there are significant differences, but the free version of the program has enough functionality to master the process of compiling mind maps and apply them in practice.

You can download XMind on the official website by following this link.

On the download page there is a free version of the program for Windows and Mac OS X. You can also download a version for Ubuntu and a portable version of the program that is suitable for Windows, Mac OS and Linux.

Xmind is a pretty fast program; it works equally quickly on both powerful computers and laptops and netbooks. Slow operation and failures are not observed. This makes the program compare favorably with the Mind Manager program, which, although it has many functions, also works noticeably slower.

Maps are compiled according to the type of nesting of topics - topics. Subject - " Topic "has its own name and is built higher in the hierarchy. Subsections, or in other words subtopics - “ Subtopic " - are a continuation of the theme. There may be several of them. Each subsection is part of the overall theme. Here, for example, is what preparing the simplest mind map for a graduation project looks like.

As you can see, there is a central theme - “Diploma”. Subsections are associated with the central topic - “Introduction”, “Chapter 1”, “Chapter 2” and so on...

Similarly, for each subsection, you can create your own nested subsections that are related in meaning. In this way, a hierarchical structure can be created. It might look like this.

For convenience of narration, in what follows we will call topic in a word topic(in the manner of the English word Topic), and subsection in a word subtopic(Subtopic).

After starting the XMind program, the workbook opens - “ Workbook 1 " If the workbook does not open when you start the program, you need to click the button on the toolbar.

In the Xmind program, a memory map is created in the workbook - “ Workbook ", which in turn consists of worksheets - " Sheet " In this way, Xmind is similar to Microsoft Excel. The number and numbering of sheets in the workbook is indicated in the lower right corner. You can create many sheets in a workbook, but this feature is relevant for large projects. For a large project, you can create a main map and many nested smaller maps, each of which can easily be placed on a separate sheet.

If desired, you can add a new worksheet to the workbook. To do this, click “ Insert " and select the item " New Sheet " You can also add a new sheet by pressing the combination Ctrl+T.

After we open the workbook, a central topic appears in the center of the work area - “ Central Topic ».

So, change the name of the central topic to “Diploma” by double-clicking on the text “Central Topic”. This is what should happen in the end.

Now let's start designing the central topic. To perform all sorts of manipulations on a topic, such as changing its shape, color, thickness of edging lines, etc., there is a tab “ Properties ».

The “Properties” tab is located in the lower left corner of the program window. Also, if it is not there, then select the topic with a mouse click and press the key combination ALT+Enter. In this case, a drop-down menu should appear, where we select the “Properties” item.

To make any changes to a specific topic, you must first select it - click on it with the mouse pointer. Next, in the “Properties” tab you can set its design. Let's talk about this.

Text settings.

To change the font, its size and color, as well as other parameters, go to the “Properties” tab and find the text settings - “ Text " Using the settings, you can change the font, size, color, position of the text, and also make it bold, italic or strikethrough - there are a lot of possibilities. Settings management is intuitive, similar to MS Word.

Form settings.

In addition, you can select the topic form in the item - “ Shape " For example, we can change the shape of the topic to an ellipse, square or square with rounded corners. There are other types of forms. It is also possible to select the background color of the topic fill. When you click on a small square, a window opens where you can select the desired background fill color.

Selecting the structure of the memory card.

Any mind map must have a certain structure - the order of interconnectedness of objects. This creates a clear hierarchy of objects on the map. It is better to decide on the type of map structure at the initial stage, since later, if the structure changes, the map’s appearance can change greatly. In the Xmind program, the map structure can be selected on the “Properties” tab in the “ Structure ».

Here, in the drop-down menu, various mind map structures are shown. We choose the one that is suitable for a specific task. So, for example, for the simple “Diploma” card already shown here, which you have already seen, the structure was chosen Logic Chart (Left).

Setting up connecting lines.

In point " Line » select the shape of the guide lines that connect the topics. Here you can immediately change the thickness and color of the edging of the selected topic and its connecting line.

Selecting line thickness.

Choosing the color of the edging of the top. The palette window opens when you click on the square (see the picture above).

Floating topic.

Since mind maps are created for a more convenient display of information, topics can be located without being tied to a specific structure. This is possible using so-called floating topics ( Floating topic ). A floating topic is not connected to the Central topic and can occupy its own independent position on the map. Take a look at the picture, everything will become clear to you.

A floating topic can be created by right-clicking on a free field of the Workbook and selecting " Floating topic " or " Floating central topic ”, if the floating topic will be the central topic of a separate project or task.

A floating topic, together with other topics, built according to a certain structure, allows you to make memory maps more flexible - the way the author himself wants them to be.

I would not like to leave aside the familiar tools that are present in almost any program.

Button " Create " When you click on it, the program will create a new workbook - “Workbook”.

Button " Open " Using this button, you can open a workbook previously saved on your hard drive.

The program saves the workbook to a file with the extension .xmind and the name you specify when saving.

When editing a mind map, do not forget to click on this button after making changes to avoid data loss after possible failures. You can also configure the mode to auto-save changes at certain intervals. This is done in the program settings.

Buttons " Repeat " And " Cancel action ". If you want to undo the last action, you can use these buttons.

In addition, the toolbar has such common tools as cut, copy, paste and delete. I think the purpose of these buttons is clear and does not require explanation.

You can create such a funny mind map in the XMind program.