Introducing, MindMapper Professional v3.5

1. Introduction

MindMapper Pro4.2 contains many new features and improvements that make mind mapping, project management and creating presentations easier than ever. This document provides an overview of some of these features. Enhancements and improvements to scheduling, presentation options and incorporating innovative ideas such as capturing scanned words and auto pasting them into MindMapper making this version the most useful and most powerful tool yet. You can create mind maps, manage, and present an entire collaboration project easily to and from Microsoft Office products and all from within MindMapper Pro 4.2.

2. Define and Assign Resources to Schedules

You can define many different resources such as manpower, equipment usage, and materials within MindMapper Pro v4.2, and assign resources to each topic (task/node). This feature is especially useful for schedules at a glance incorporating time and budget (see figure 1) .

Figure 1: Scheduling Window and Assigning Resources Dialog Box

2.1 Define or import resource(s) from Microsoft Excel

To define resource(s), select the "Tools" option on your main menu tool bar , now choose "Resource", then "Define" option. In this dialog box, you can either import the predefined resource file or define each new resource(s). To use a predefined resource file, file format should be in either CSV (comma separated value format) or ASCII text file. To import a predefined resource file, select "Import" button in the "Define Resource" dialog box, and select file type (csv or text). To define a new resource, select "+" button and enter resource name, unit, cost per unit, etc. directly into the blank box in the "Define Resource" dialog box. To delete a resource from the list, just click on the resource and select "-" button. All defined resources are saved within your current map file. To export defined resource information to other applications, select the "Export" button. This will automatically generate a csv file.

Figure 2: Defining resources to a scheduled node

2.2 Assign resource(s) to each topic

To assign resources to a selected topic, right mouse click on a select topic and choose "Resource" menu. You can also select "Resource" under "Insert" menu located on main tool bar menu. Enter number of units to allocate and record actual units used for each resource. Planned and actual costs for current topic are automatically calculated. Use Ctrl or Shift keyson your keyboard to select multiple resources and reset values.

Figure 3: Assigning resources to a scheduled node.

2.3 Preview and Print Summary

To preview and print summary of resource usage's in a table format, select "Print" under the File menu located on your main tool bar and choose "Resource". You will have the option to choose either "Preview" your table or "Print". This summary can be exported as a comma delimited (CSV) text file by selecting "Resource" under Tool menu and choosing "Export Summary".

Figure 4: Printing assigned and defined resources in table format

3. Auto Paste
Digital Version of a Reading Pen (Auto Paste Feature)

A "reading pen" exists in the marketplace that is used like a marker which scans and stores words as they are marked. Amazingly, these selected words can be transferred into your PC. Similar to a reading pen, MindMapper Pro v4.2 enables you to use an "auto paste" feature to transfer your scanned words and phrases directly from your electronic document into the MindMapper program. This is particularly useful if you do a lot of reading and need to summarize from your computer screen.

3.1 Activating Auto Paste

To activate Auto Paste mode, press F6 key or select Auto Paste Mode located under the main Tool Bar menu within MindMapper Pro v4.2.

Figure 5: Tool Menu Bar (Select Auto Paste Mode or press F6)

The "Stop Auto Pasting" button appears at the upper left corner of your display indicating that you are in Auto Paste mode

Keep in mind that you must first select the topic to which you would like to add your words or phrases as a node in MindMapper Pro v4.2 . Any words or phrases that are selected will become attached as child topics whether you are in MindMapper, on the web, or in other documents. Otherwise, if a topic is not selected within MindMapper, words or phrases will be added as just floating text.

You can set MindMapper Pro v4.2 to become automatically minimized when Auto Paste is on by defalt. To set this option, go to Tools, Options and Misc. tab.

Figure 6: Tool menu bar (Tools, Option, Misc. tab)

3.2 Activating auto paste mode

Let's start by opening a Microsoft Word document and highlight a word or phrase using your mouse. Highlight your key words and phrases as you read the document. All words and phrases that you highlight will automatically become added to your map. You can simply reorganize these topics later. To cancel "Auto Paste" mode, simply click "Stop Auto Pasting" button.

Figure 7: Auto pasting in MindMapper 4.2

4. Fold and Carry with Easy Indexing

You will find in many instances that you may wish to print and carry your maps that contain your schedule, memos, presentations, speeches, etc. With MindMapper Pro 4.2, you can print your map along with its title, date of creation, and file name with its full path in five different locations. For those who fold and carry maps, finding a specific map is now easier than ever.

Figure 8: Setting up your MindMapper label for easy fold and carry

5. Insert Image

You can now easily insert the following graphic files within your map using MindMapper Pro v4.0 as a background of a topic: Following file formats are supportted, bmp, png, tif, emf, gif and jpg. To insert a picture as a topic, select a topic in your map, Select "Picture from file..." under "Insert menu" located on main tool bar menu.