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   FreemindWiki contents
 
FrontPage
Here we collect a list of asked questions and answers related to free mind mapping software FreeMind. Help if you can (see [[#To edit this FAQ|To edit this FAQ]]). If you're searching for an answer to your question, why don't you just press Ctrl + F in your browser?
WikiFreemindFAQ
 
  I planted a seed, in hopes of one day reaping a great harvest. Voltaire  
This is not a place to ask questions. If you have a question that you want to ask, see [[Support]].
 
== Installation ==
 
=== How do I download the Java Runtime Environment needed to run FreeMind. ===
To download JRE for Windows, go to [http://www.java.com/ Download],
go to the section '''Download...''', say yes, and the download begins.
 
=== I start FreeMind but nothing happens ===
First of all, we assume that you are working under Windows. Now, please start freemind.bat in the installation directory.
You'll probably get:
 
  Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: java/util/logging/Logger
    
at freemind.main.FreeMind.getLogger(FreeMind.java:643)
at freemind.main.FreeMind.<init>(FreeMind.java:109)
at freemind.main.FreeMind.main(FreeMind.java:647)
 
The answer to this behaviour is that you've got Java1.3 or lower installed, and this version of java is found (try java -version on the commandline to verify this).
Most likely, you've installed Oracle.  
Change JAVA_HOME and the PATH variables to point to your actual java (1.4 or 5.0).
This can be done as follows: Goto Settings -> System -> search for Environment Variables and change or create the values accordingly.
 
Another reason Freemind won't start or will give you the effect of having the icon in the Windows taskbar but nothing else is when you install Freemind in a folder that starts with a "!" (exclamation mark); just install it in a different folder. (See http://www.cogmios.nl/java-apps-like-eclipse-or-freemind-do-not-run-in-folders-starting-with-a-20070407.html)
 
=== I start FreeMind but nothing happens <i>TRY THIS FIRST</i>===
First, check that Java is installed; Then go to Program Files\Freemind\Lib and double-click on the "Freemind.jar" file (which is an executable Jar file).
 
Alternatively, try to start Freemind from the freemind.bat file. The command.com will open along with Freemind. Just close down Freemind (command.com will close also) and then start Freemind from the Start Menu or from freemind.exe  I have no idea why this works but it did for me.
 
Another reason why Freemind won't start is if you hava JDK installed and JAVA_HOME points to JDK instead of JRE. If you point JAVA_HOME environment variable to the JRE home then Freemind.exe starts up fine.
 
If the above doesn't work make sure you have the path to java in your PATH variable.
 
The format is the following:
 
JAVA_HOME=C:\Program Files\Java\jre6
 
PATH=C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin;
 
Your PATH will surely include more things.
 
=== I start FreeMind and can create a map but can not save it ===
The most obvious indication is that you click on open/save/save as and nothing happens.  What is happening is that the file browser window is failing to open.  There are two fixes;  Either change JAVA_HOME to point to a JRE rather than a JDK or edit the Freemind.bat file to use the absolute path to the correct java and start Freemind with the bat file.  It will be something like "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_05\bin\java" instead of just java.  Note the use of quote marks and that your java path may not be the same as the example.   
=== I start FreeMind but nothing happens on MacOS X Leopard ===
I launch FreeMind 0.8.1 on MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard), the FreeMind welcome image appears and after few moments, FreeMind quit after a pop up window "Cannot lunch Java application (Uncaught exception in main method: Java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space)".


**Freemind does not seem to work if you simply drag the butterfly icon to the applications folder- you have to move the WHOLE installed folder (Mac_OS_X_Freemind-0_8_1) into the applications folder, and click on the icon within that folder (attach that icon to the dock). The program seems to need to have everything together in that folder for it to launch.


Here we collect a list of asked questions and answers related to free mind mapping software FreeMind. Help if you can (How do I edit this FAQ?) Apart from this page, don't miss FreeMind's home page. If you're searching for an answer to your question, why don't you just press Ctrl + F in your browser?
Thanks SO MUCH for this! I was going NUTS trying to get this to happen!  Not a tecchie by any means! Angie]


This issue might be related to the problem met by OpenOffice users on Leopard.
Apple seems to have replaced "Apple Computer, Inc." by "Apple, Inc." in the Java string. The JRE is thus not recognized anymore on Leopard, and Java fails. ([http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=153 Web Reference])


The internal anchors don't seem to be working... and this wiki syntax is html...  
Hope this issue will be fixed in the next FreeMind release.


Installation
'' '''Temporary Solution''' '' : ''It is possible de launch FreeMind via FreeMind.app > Content > Resources > Java > lib > freemind.jar''
To download Java Runtime Environment needed to run FreeMind
FreeMind cannot detect a new version of Java. What can I do?
With what Java virtual machines does FreeMind actually work?
Using
Is there no undo in FreeMind?
How much memory do I need?
To create a graphical link
To remove a graphical link
To print from FreeMind on Linux
To add user icons to FreeMind
To open links in only one browser window, rather than several
Is it difficult to provide FreeMind with Java Webstart?
To run FreeMind on Linux
To create PDF out of FreeMind's mind map
To convert mind maps between !FreeMind and MindManager
Who's the development team of FreeMind?
To have brainstorm-like mode similar to one found in MindManager
On what operating systems have people actually succeeded in running FreeMind?
Is there a PDA-Version, e.g. for Palm or Pocket PC?
How large maps can I edit with FreeMind?
How can I keep FreeMind from opening the last file from the last session?
To change the fill color on bubbles
To remove a cloud
To search in FreeMind
To move nodes around
Mind maps on web pages with FreeMind's applet
To get FreeMind's applet working
To present your mind map on the web
To view the toolbar automatically after the applet starts
Is there a list of names and values and functions of all params for the applet?
Bugs (and workarounds) in FreeMind
FreeMind behaves strange or crashes. What can I do?
When I drag files into the !FreeMind window, FreeMind just works very long or I get a mind map of the file system
Changing the key bindings in user.properties does not work
Using: HTML-related things
What HTML tags does FreeMind support?
To embed, or more precisely link, images into FreeMind  
To put the contents of a Microsoft Word document into FreeMind
To have tables in FreeMind
FreeMind on Microsoft Windows
How do I install FreeMind?
FreeMind does not seem to be affected by the things I edit in the user.properties! Why?
To create a screenshort of FreeMind and paste it into Microsoft Word or Microsoft Powerpoint
To export a map to Microsoft Powerpoint
Other things
Other sources of information about FreeMind
To spell FreeMind correctly
To suggest new enhancements of FreeMind
This FAQ
I have a question not listed here, what should I do?
To edit this FAQ
Where can I practice editing pages on this Wiki?
Questions not yet answered
How can I include FreeMind maps in Wikka Wiki pages?
On linking nodes with OpenOffice1.1.1. under Linux2.4


''I suggest to place an alias in the Dock, for a more friendly access to FreeMind''


'''''I was able to get FreeMind 0.9.0 beta 20 to launch on Mac OS X 10.5.5 (Leopard) by editing the Info.plist <tt>JVMVersion</tt> string to read <tt>1.6</tt> instead of <tt>1.4+</tt>. For the record, when I run <tt>java -version</tt> it reports <tt>java version "1.5.0_16"</tt>.'''''


:I got the install to work by creating a Freemind folder under Applications, copying the rest of the files in the container to it (e.g. freemind.properties, plugins\, accessories\ etc) and then moving the "installed" package to that folder.  It looks like Freemind needs to find those files and folders during startup.




Installation
=== OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) and 10.9 (Maverick) won't open the FreeMind application because it is not signed. ===
See [[MacOS#FreeMind will not open since the application is not signed]].


To download Java Runtime Environment needed to run FreeMind. To download JRE for Windows, go to Download on Sun, go to the section Download J2SE v 1.4. ... and now choose the column JRE, not SDK. The installation file of JRE has approximately 15 MB.
=== FreeMind cannot detect new version of Java. What can I do? ===
Let us assume that you have installed a new
version of Java, and still, FreeMind complains about having old version of Java. This may occur especially
if you installed ''SDK'' rather than ''JRE''. ''SDK'' stands for ''software development kit'' and contains much more
than you need to run FreeMind; you only need the runtime environment. It is important that the new version of
java is in your ''path''. To check it out on Microsoft Windows, run command ``cmd" using Windows-key + R,
followed by ``java -version". You should get something like


FreeMind cannot detect new version of Java. What can I do? Let us assume that you have installed a new version of Java, and still, FreeMind complains about having old version of Java. This may occur especially if you installed SDK rather than JRE. SDK stands for standard development kit and contains much more than you need to run FreeMind; you only need runtime environment. It is important that the new version of java is in your path. To check it out on Microsoft Windows, run command ``cmd'' using Windows-key + R, followed by ``java -version''. You should get something like
java version "1.4.2_03"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.4.2_03-b02)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.4.2_03-b02, mixed mode)


java version "1.4.2_03"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.4.2_03-b02)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.4.2_03-b02, mixed mode)
where the particular version number is not important as long as it is at least 1.4.0.
where the particular version number is not important as long as it is at least 1.4.0.


With what Java virtual machines does FreeMind actually work? FreeMind works with the virual machines from Sun, from the version 1.4.0 and higher. Additionally, FreeMind has been reported to run on the JDK 1.4.2 from Blackdown.
Additionally, it may be helpful to start '''freemind.bat''' and see what messages come.
 
'''NOTE:'''  If you have an Oracle database product installed on your computer, check the Oracle Installer to see what version of Java was installed with the database.  Versions of Oracle 8, 8i, and later install JRE 1.3.1 and modify the startup path for Windows to ensure the database can start using this JRE.  This installation WILL cause FreeMind to report the older version of Java, even if you install the new version (the .ini file for Oracle points Windows to the JRE 1.3.1 directory, places that in memory, and causes the fault). You can modify the .ini file to point Oracle to the newer JRE.
 
If you don't want to change the Oracle settings: just create a batch file in the FreeMind folder with the following entry "Path-to-your-new-java-runtimes-bin/java.exe -jar lib/freemind.jar" and use that to start freemind.
 
===Is there an IRC for freemind devs/users===
 
===Uploading to gallery===
====Uploading to gallery gives incorrect file ext. or file corruption message but the file is fine====
What do I do?
 
====Uploading filename.mm (generated with FreeMind 0.9) triggers error====
''File extension does not match MIME type.''
 
Notes:
* An older trick (related to 0.8 , 0.9 compatibility: clean-up attribute_registry nodes) is not applicable.
* Two upload-related questions have no solutions on forum.
* Issue raised also in forum: https://sourceforge.net/p/freemind/discussion/22102/thread/182db588/
 
=== Which Java virtual machines does FreeMind actually work with? ===
 
FreeMind works with the virtual machines from Sun, from the version 1.4.0 and higher. FreeMind has been reported to run on the JDK 1.4.2 from Blackdown. FreeMind also works on Linux with Sun Microsystems 64bit JDK version 1.5.0.
 
There are known issues with official release 0.8.0 of Freemind and Java 6.
* Encrypted nodes will wipe out your map when trying to save it to disk.
* Preferences dialog can not be opened
Stick to Java 5 (alias 1.5.x) [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=107118&aid=1550792&group_id=7118 (see bug report)]
 
Possible cause and work-around for problem of Preferences dialog: extended desktop (second monitor). If you extend your desktop on to a second monitor and use FreeMind on that monitor, when you close (save?) the Preferences dialog, its dialog is saved to the extended desktop location. The next time you use FreeMind without using the 2nd monitor, the Preferences dialog will not be visible. I had this problem and was able to correct it by moving the dialog back to the main monitor and saving again (note that the virtual position of the 2nd monitor relative to the main monitor is important for finding the dialog again).
-RyanC, 7-Apr-08
 
=== What is a mirror? ===
A mirror is one of the SourceForge sites from which you can download FreeMind. To download FreeMind, choose ''any'' mirror; you would prefer a mirror geographically closer to the place where you live. If you experience problems with one mirror, try another.
 
=== I run 'freemind.bat' and get an error message ===
If you get
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: java/util/logging/Logger
at freemind.main.FreeMind.getLogger<FreeMind.java:643>at
    freemind.main.FreeMind.<init<FreeMind.java:109>
at freemind.main.FreeMind.main<FreeMind.java:647>
then the Java Virtual Machine found on your system is of version 1.3 or below. Try
java -version
to verify this. This happens, when you install Oracle for instance. Please, make sure, that your latest Java Virtual Machine is found when you type "java -version" by deinstalling java1.3 for example.
 
=== USB Portable FreeMind ===
Just add the following Java option in the freemind.bat or freemind.sh and everything is contained on the USB stick:
 
-Duser.home=.[\<subdirectory, if needed>]
 
As an example see the new content of my BAT-file, which looks like:


@echo off
java -Duser.home=. -cp lib\freemind.jar;lib\commons-lang-2.0.jar;lib\forms-1.0.5.jar;lib\jibx\jibx-run.jar;lib\jibx\xpp3.jar;lib\bindings.jar freemind.main.FreeMindStarter


This lets FM create and use the subfolder .freemind in the location of the freemind.bat.


As we know, USB flash drives support only limited number of writes. It means that reliability of such device drops down as time advances. Freemind, by default, saves your open maps every minute to .freemind dir which is in this case on the flash drive. If you aren't too paranoid you can avoid this by setting autosave dir to tmp dir of your OS.  Freemind will automatically delete autosaves on exit so your precious data won't be left on a host machine. Go to Tools->Preferences->Path to automatic saves and set it to 'default'. Freemind will understand this on Windows probably as c:\windows\temp, Linux - /tmp or /var/tmp.


That's it and have fun!


Using
=== What if the command.com window opened by FreeMind.bat annoys me? ===
You can force the window not to show by having the batch file not to hold the handle to the java runtime. Effectively the command prompt is displaying command line output from  java application, FreeMind, while waiting for the application to terminate before it closes. You can solve this by using javaw to suppress the command line output and forcing the command prompt to start a new process for java. Try editing the FreeMind.bat to change <tt>java -cp lib\freemind.jar;...</tt> with <tt>START "" javaw</tt>. The line becomes something like <tt>START "" javaw -cp lib\freemind.jar;...</tt>


Is there no undo in FreeMind? There is no undo so far. Help against data loss are offered by:
If that approach does not successfully hide the window, try this approach:
1. Copy the following script to a text file,
2. Modify the java directory ("C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_13\bin\java") to match the location of yours,
3. Save the file with a .vbs extension (i.e. FreeMind.vbs), and
4. Double-click the file.


FreeMind's autosave-feature
<tt>Dim objShell
You can install a clipboard manager, which will make all elements, which you cut from FreeMind, available in its history. A freeware example of a clipboard manager for MS Windows is Yankee Clipper
<br/>Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
How much memory do I need? Keywords: RAM. Experience shows that 64 Mb is not sufficient, while 128 Mb is already ok, provided that you do not run another Java application. Correct me if I'm wrong. I am using FreeMind on Windows 95 + 128 Mb without any problems.
<br/>objShell.Run Chr(34) & "C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_13\bin\java" & Chr(34) & " -cp lib\freemind.jar;lib\ant\lib\jaxb-api.jar;lib\ant\lib\jaxb-impl.jar;lib\ant\lib\jaxb-libs.jar;lib\ant\lib\namespace.jar;lib\ant\lib\relaxngDatatype.jar;lib\ant\lib\xsdlib.jar;lib\ant\lib\jax-qname.jar;lib\ant\lib\sax.jar;lib\ant\lib\dom.jar freemind.main.FreeMind", 0, False
<br/>Set objShell = Nothing
</tt>


To create a graphical link.  
== Troubleshooting ==
 
Before you start asking questions on the forum, it's a good idea to check if your problem is not already described, together with a resolution:
* either on this page,
* or in the Forums, there is a search function (check the SourceForge menu 'Forums &rarr; Search'),
* or even in the Trackers, where you can find already reported problems.
 
If this doesn't help, then sample the following information (under Windows, check the specific pages for other OS's) and create a Help forum topic (if you're not sure) or bug tracker item (if you're quite sure that it's a bug in FreeMind) with it:
 
* OS version (e.g. Win XP with(out) SP2 or 3)
* Java version (the output of <tt>java -version</tt> called from the command line, example as follows)
C:\Users\lostuser>java -version
java version "1.5.0_15"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_15-b04)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_15-b04, mixed mode, sharing)
* FreeMind version (e.g. FreeMind 0.9.0.Beta20, installed from <tt>FreeMind-Windows-Installer-0.9.0_Beta_20-max.exe</tt>)
* Content of the logfile <tt>%USERPROFILE%\.freemind\log.0</tt> after you've done the action making problems.
* It's also a good idea to open a command line, go to FreeMind's base directory, in general with <tt>cd %ProgramFiles%\freemind</tt>, and start FreeMind from there, using the <tt>freemind.bat</tt> file, and check what happens in the console. Most content is generally similar to the above logfile, but not if FreeMind doesn't even start, for some reason (e.g. Java missing).
* Check if your problem also appears with other Java programs, we generally recommend [http://jedit.sf.net/ JEdit] because it uses the same GUI type (called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_(Java) Swing]) as FreeMind.
 
;Note: under Windows XP/Vista, you can open a command line (also called a console) by pressing the keys <tt>Win+R</tt> (like Run), type <tt>cmd</tt> and press enter.
 
== Using ==
 
=== To add a new concept ===
 
A new concept is referred to as a "node." Use the "Insert" key on PCs to add a new node. MAC users need to [[Asked Questions#To_set_a_different_key_for_new_child_node_on_Mac_computers | set a different key]].  Nodes are not limited to just concepts.  They can also include sentences, paragraphs or even short articles.
 
=== Is there an undo feature in FreeMind? ===
Starting with FreeMind 0.8, there is an undo and redo feature.
 
If you are using 0.7, then use the following tips to prevent data loss:
 
* Use FreeMind's autosave-feature
: This feature is enabled by default... auto saved files will be found in ~/.freemind/
 
* Install a clipboard manager, which will make all elements, which you cut from FreeMind, available in its history. A freeware example of a clipboard manager for MS Windows is [http://www.yankee-clipper.net Yankee Clipper].
 
=== How much memory do I need? ===
 
''Keywords: RAM.''
 
Experience shows that 64 MB is not sufficient, while 128 MB is already enough, provided that you do not run another Java application. Correct me if I'm wrong. I am using FreeMind on Windows 95 + 128 MB without any problems.
 
Running FreeMind 0.8RC5 on Windows 95 with 64 MB and Java 1.4.0 is possible and the response time ''is'' in acceptable limits. -- [[User:Stefano|Stefano]] 02:01, 11 Jul 2005 (PDT)
 
Running FreeMind 0.7.1 on Debian Linux and Java 1.4.2.03 (j2sdk1.4) with my Omnibook 800 laptop (78 MB RAM, P166) just fine.  I haven't tried any big projects with it yet, but so far it's very responsive. --[[User:Nullman|Kyle]] 09:14, 30 Jan 2006 (PST)
 
=== To move a node to the other side of root or re-arrange nodes ===
 
Drag the node onto root and you see one half of root getting gray. Move the node to the other half and
this half gets gray. Just drop the node on the side you want to have it.
As of version 0.9.0 you can also use <tt>Ctrl + &larr;</tt> and <tt>Ctrl + &rarr;</tt> to move a node in the desired direction (not only to change the side with respect to root, try it out; <tt>Ctrl + &uarr;</tt> and <tt>Ctrl + &darr;</tt> do work as well). For Mac users, it's <tt>Command+&larr;</tt> and <tt>Command+&rarr;</tt> respectively.
 
If you want to rearrange the nodes on your map using your mouse, you should ''not'' move the nodes around using the small "handle" appearing when your pointer hovers over the node, but you should grab the node itself, move it around and see how it throws a shadow upon the place it'll land once you release the mouse button.
If you've already messed up your map, select the culprit nodes and reset their position using the menu <tt>Format &rarr; Reset Position</tt>.
 
The "handle" will only move around the node without changing its position in relation to the other nodes.
 
=== To create a graphical link ===
 
# Go to the source node.
# Mark it with the mouse.
# Press the left mouse button.
# Hold this button.
# Press Ctrl+Shift buttons.
# Continue to hold all these buttons.
# Go to the destination node.
# Release the mouse button, first.
# Then release the keyboard buttons.  


Go to the source node.
Mark it with the mouse.
Press the left mouse button.
Hold this button.
Press Ctrl+Shift buttons.
Continue to hold all these buttons.
Go to the destination node.
Release the mouse button, first.
Then release the keybord buttons.
You have your link. Alternatively, drag'n drop holding right mouse button.
You have your link. Alternatively, drag'n drop holding right mouse button.


To remove a graphical link.
=== To remove a graphical link ===
 
# Right-Click on the curved arrow of the graphical link (Mac users, press Control and click to see the options menu)
# Choose "Remove Arrow Link" from the pop-up menu


Right-Click on the curved arrow of the graphical link
Choose "Remove Arrow Link" from the pop-up menu
(Left-clicking on a graphical link does nothing)
(Left-clicking on a graphical link does nothing)


To print from FreeMind on Linux. In Debian GNU/Linux some users use cupsys-bsd package to print via CUPS printing system and it works fine for them.
=== To remove a local link ===
 
# Select the node with the link, and press Ctrl+K ("edit link") (Command+K in Mac).
# In the "Edit hyperlink manually..." dialog that appears, clear the contents of the text field, then click OK.
 
=== To add user icons to FreeMind ===
Currently, adding user [http://www.guiicons.com Icons] is not possible.
BUT you can add an inline images to any node. Use the following code example:
<nowiki><html><img src="http://www.stumbleupon.com/pics/me.jpg"></nowiki>
in a FreeMind node. This should also work with local files using "file://" instead of "http://".
 
However if you want to change the source code there is a way to add your own icons.
You have to modify the “freemind.jar” file. (By default you can find it under “C:\Program Files\FreeMind\lib”)
You can modify a .jar file easily with WinRAR. If you have WinRAR installed on your computer just right click the file you want to modify and choose Open With WinRAR.
* 1. Add your own icons: Use the button Add in WinRAR GUI to add your icons to “freemind.jar\images\icons”
* 2. Change file “freemind.properties”: find row that starts with “icons.list=” and add your icon names
* 3. Change file “Resources_xx.properties”: where xx is your local language. Add rows icon_iconName = iconDescription, where iconName is the name of your icon and iconDescription the text you want to see on the tooltip of your icon
 
=== To open links in only one browser window, rather than several. ===
To our knowledge this is not possible at the moment.
 
'''Firefox (old)''' allows this option. ''From the menu, select''
1) Tools > '''Options''' >
2) Click '''Advanced'''
3) Toggle Tabbed Browsing
4) Select to open links from other apps in
...a new tab in the most recent window.
 
'''Firefox (1.5.0.12)''' allows this option. ''From the menu, select''
1) Edit > '''Preferences''' >
2) Click '''Tabs'''
3) Select to open links from other apps in
...a new tab in the most recent window.
 
 
'''A possible Work Around:''' There is a way to do this if you use the [http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/ Firefox browser] instead of Internet Explorer, provided you
install the Firefox extension called ''Single Window'' (available from [http://update.mozilla.org/extensions/showlist.php?category=Tabbed%20Browsing here]). Using this extension, every time you click on an external web link on a mind map, it will open the relevant page in a new tab in an existing Firefox window, rather than a new browser window. I have found this to be a much easier way to navigate the pages opened. I have only tried this with mm files opened from the file system at the moment (i.e. not served from a web server in the browser applet).


To add user icons to FreeMind. Currently, really adding user icons is not possible. BUT you can inline images in any node. Just something like this: <html><img src="http://www.stumbleupon.com/pics/me.jpg"> in the a FreeMind node. This should also work with local files with "file:" instead of "http:".
To '''open external web links in a new tabs''' in Firefox follow [http://texturizer.net/firefox/tips.html#beh_reuse this tip] (works both for Linux and Windows). You have to add a line in your user.js file and install [http://piro.sakura.ne.jp/xul/_tabextensions.html.en Tabbrowser extensions].


To open links in only one browser window, rather than several. To our knowledge this is not possible at the moment.
=== Is it difficult to provide FreeMind with Java Webstart?=== Well, it's not that easy. Joerg Mueller succeeded in doing just that and has sent his source code to Daniel Polansky, who did not succeed in getting it running; he did not consider that a high priority. What is important is that Microsoft Windows users have a convenient installer, and the users of the other operating systems are already used to not so convenient methods; the installation is pretty straightforward anyway.


Is it difficult to provide FreeMind with Java Webstart? Well, it's not that easy. Joerg Mueller succeeded in doing just that and has sent his source code to Daniel Polansky, who did not succeed in getting it running; he did not consider that a high priority. What is important is that Microsoft Windows users have a convenient installer, and the users of the other operating systems are already used to not so convenient methods; the installation is pretty straightforward anyway.
=== To create PDF out of FreeMind's mind map ===
To create pdf out of FreeMind's mind map, you've got several
options.


To run FreeMind on Linux. If you're experiencing problems running FreeMind on Linux, also try to change the user rights of freemind.sh with ``chmod u+x ./freemind.sh''. After that you should be able to run FreeMind with ``./freemind.sh''
* Use File/Export/As PDF...


To create PDF out of FreeMind's mind map. If you want to create pdf out of FreeMind's mind map, you've got several options. One of the options you have is to download XSLT transformations sheets from Christoph Rissner, convert FreeMind's mind map to Mind Manager's mind map, then to DocBook, and create pdf from that DocBook. You can read more on that on Abgeschlossene Arbeiten > Mind Maps.
* Create DocBook, then pdf. Use [http://krottmaier.cgv.tugraz.at/docs/seminar/sem2002_mindmaps.tar.gz XSLT transformations sheets] from Christoph Rissner to convert FreeMind's mind map to Mind Manager's mind map, then to DocBook, and create pdf from that DocBook. You can read more on that on [http://hkrott.iicm.edu/veranstaltungen/seminar/abgeschlossen.html Abgeschlossene Arbeiten] &gt; Mind Maps.
<!-- Old link to http://hkrott.iicm.edu/docs/seminar/sem2002_mindmaps.tar.gz would not work any -->


To convert mind maps between FreeMind and MindManager. Click here: Import and export to other applications
* Print to pdf using a pdf printer driver.
** Use open source [http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/ PDFCreator]. It uses Ghostscript as its backend.


Who's the development team of FreeMind? Daniel Polansky: the director of FreeMind is Daniel Polansky, i.e. me. The label ``director'' is not quite appropriate, ``parliament'' would be better. I test new versions, give advice, sometimes act in the name of FreeMind, forbid versions to be released because of insufficient quality, and approve them when they're ready. Also, I set up mantinels for new directions.
* Print to pdf using Acrobat's Distiller. Provided that you have full version of Adobe Acrobat installed (not just reader), you can print to a pdf using the Distiller or Writer options in your printer list. Make sure you check the "fit to one page" option under File > Page Setup. Also, make sure you set antialias to all under edit > preferences. This will make it look crisper. The only downside to this option is that it doesn't do the icons very well.


The main actor on the scene is Christian Foltin. We use the label ``code master'' to denote his role, and also ``manager''. He does most of the work and decides on which code changes are acceptable what concerns the coding quality. He takes care of mergers. Also, he coordinates the developers.
* First print to postscript, then convert to pdf.
** In Linux, create postscript by printing to a file using a postscript printer, and convert the postscript file to pdf afterwards, by using the shell-command ps2pdf or using [http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/ Ghostscript].
** In Windows, install any postscript color printer (Like AppleColor 600) to print to a file. When printing to that printer, choose a folder and a file that ends with .ps. Then, open that *.ps with [http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/gsview/index.htm gsview] and choose ''File/Convert to PDF'' (let the program choose it all). Then save the file with the same name, but ending with .pdf. That's all. You might need to read the help files to tune it all up (only once).


To have brainstorm-like mode similar to one found in MindManager. Did you notice you can hit Enter and Shift-Enter to create sibling nodes? It is not exactly the behavior of brainstorm mode of MindManager, but still close to it.
* Export FreeMind's mind map to HTML, paste it into Microsoft Word, format it as you see fit, and convert it to pdf using the techniques decribed above.


On what operating systems have people actually succeeded in running FreeMind? Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server, Linux (Mandrake 9.2, RedHat? Pro WS 3, SuSE? 8.2 (using the RPM for 9.0), SuSE? 9.0, Debian sarge, Debian sid, Slackware 9.1, which others?), Mac OS X (10.3), OS/2. Keywords: platforms.
=== To create Encapsulated PostScript (eps, epsi) out of FreeMind's mind map (for LaTex) ===


Is there a PDA-Version, e.g. for Palm or Pocket PC?? Not that we know of. So far, no one has reported a success at running FreeMind on Palm or Pocket PC. See FreeMindPDAVersion.
* Via PNG (Tested on ubuntu 10.04)
** Export your mind map as *.png
** Install Package sam2p
** Convert png to eps: sam2p file.png file.eps
* Via PostScript (Tested on ubuntu 10.04)
** Print to file.ps using a PostScript printer
** Install package ghostscript
** Convert to epsi with: ps2epsi file.ps (This does not always work)
** Now you have file.epsi


How large maps can I edit with FreeMind? Theoretically, there are no built-in limits. Practially, the maximum reported size is 3 MB; after exporting to HTML and pasting to Microsoft Word, the very same content had 3.8 MB. For a better practical estimation, experimental test are needed as the maximum given so far is only a lower bound on practial limits.
=== To convert mind maps between FreeMind and MindManager ===
See [[Import and export]]


How can I keep FreeMind from opening the last file from the last session? One way is to disable the changing of the file "auto.properties" (which is in the same folder as user.properties). Be aware that the menu "Edit -> Preferences" will not change anything any more than!
=== Who is the development team of FreeMind? ===
 
Daniel Polansky: the director of FreeMind is Daniel Polansky, i.e. me. The
label ``director" is not quite appropriate; ``parliament"
would be better. I test new versions, give advice, sometimes
act in the name of FreeMind, forbid versions to be released
because of insufficient quality, and approve them when
they're ready. Also, I set up barriers for new directions.
 
The main actor on the scene is Christian Foltin. We use
the label ``code master" to denote his role, and also
``manager". He does most of the work and decides which
code changes are acceptable what concerns the
quality of code. He takes care of mergers. Also, he
coordinates the developers.
 
An important developer is Dimitri Polivaev.
 
=== To have brainstorm-like mode similar to one found in MindManager.===
Did you notice you can hit Enter and Shift-Enter to create sibling nodes?
It is not exactly the behavior of brainstorm mode of MindManager, but still
close to it.
 
=== What operating systems does FreeMind successfully run on? ===
 
* ''Microsoft Windows.'' Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP (SP1 & SP2), Windows 2003 Server, Windows Vista, Windows 7, ....
* ''Linux.'' Mandrake 9.2 and 10, RedHat Pro WS 3, RedHat Enterprise Linux WS 4, Fedora Core 2, Fedora 8 & 9, SuSE (8.2 using the RPM for 9.0, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 10.0, 10.2), Ubuntu (Warty, Hardy, Intrepid Ibis), Debian (sarge, etch, wheezy, jessie, sid), Slackware 9.1, Gentoo, Mepis 3.3.1, Mepis 3.4-2.rc1, PCLinuxOS 2010. ''BSD.'' FreeBSD (5.2.1, 5.4, 6.1), Mac OS X (10.2.8, 10.3, 10.4.4, 10.4.8, 10.4.11)
* ''Other.'' OS/2, Solaris 9 and 10.
''Keywords: platforms.''
 
=== Is there a PDA-Version, e.g. for Palm or Pocket PC? ===
On PDA, you can use [[FreeMindPDA]]. It uses cross-platform [http://www.superwaba.com SuperWaba] Open Source SDK. However, it does not use mind map view, but rather plain tree view; it is not a proper FreeMind version in that sense. See also [[Stuff#PDA|FreeMind and PDA]].
For an iPhone version of FreeMind that can read small FreeMind mind maps, see [[Platform]].
 
=== What is the largest size mindmap I can edit with FreeMind? ===
 
In principle, there are no built-in limits. Practically, the maximum reported size is 11 MB at a map with 22,000 nodes; after exporting to HTML and pasting to Microsoft Word, the very same content had 15.6 MB, with 1500 pages. For a better practical estimation, experimental tests are needed, as the maximum given so far is only a lower bound on practical limits.
 
I've been appending daily notes to a single mind-map file continually for many months on a 3 GHz Pentium 4 with 2 GB RAM running windowsXP.  The file has grown to about half a megabyte, 420K, and there is a noticable difference in Freemind's responsiveness dealing with it, but it still works for me.
 
=== How can I keep FreeMind from opening the last file from the last session? ===
One way is to disable the changing of the file "auto.properties" (which is in the same folder as [[user.properties]]). Be aware that the menu "Edit -> Preferences" will not change anything any more than!<br>
To do that go to the file auto.properties and delete everything behind "onStartIfNotSpecified=" in that line. Now set the file "auto.properties" to read-only.
To do that go to the file auto.properties and delete everything behind "onStartIfNotSpecified=" in that line. Now set the file "auto.properties" to read-only.


To change the fill color on bubbles. There's an icon for it at the main toolbar. Additionally, you can find it in the popup menu at Node > Style > Cloud color.
Another way is to change the auto.properties on the fly during startup. Copy the next lines of code into a batch-file and put this into the same directory as freemind.exe. This batchfile will add an extra line to the auto.properties file. In fact, it does the same as the above, but it still enables you to change the properties.
 
@echo off
echo onStartIfNotSpecified= >> "%USERPROFILE%\.freemind\auto.properties"
call .\freemind.exe
 
===To change the fill color on bubbles.===
There's an icon for it at the main toolbar. Additionally,
you can find it in the popup menu at Node > Style > Cloud color.
 
===To remove a cloud===
Press Ctrl+Shift+B to toggle clouds.


To remove a cloud. Press Ctrl+Shift+B to toggle clouds.
=== To search in FreeMind ===
''Keywords: find.'' Press Ctrl + F. For finding next occurrence, press Ctrl + G. Searching is
restricted to the descendants of the node selected when pressing Ctrl + F. The search is
a breadth-first search, first finding occurrences in the nodes closer to the starting node.


To search in FreeMind. Keywords: find. Press Ctrl + F. For finding next occurrence, press Ctrl + G. Searching is restricted to the descendants of the node selected when pressing Ctrl + F. The search is a breadth-first search, first finding occurrences in the nodes closer to the starting node.
===To move nodes around=== To move them up and down, use ctrl + up and down arrows. To move them wherever you want, use drag'n drop with mouse. ''Keywords: move around, reorganize.''


To move nodes around. To move them up and down, user ctrl + up and down arrows. To move them wherever you want, use drag'n drop with mouse. Keywords: move around, reorganize.
=== What does antialias mean in FreeMind preferences? ===


To antialias means to make fonts or curves look smooth by drawing additional pixels with in-between color. See also wikipedia on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antialiasing antialiasing].


By default, FreeMind antialiases edges only. FreeMind can also antialias text, but with the current state of the technology, it does not look good enough. At least, new Java RE 1.5.0 has better antialiasing of text than Java RE 1.4.x. Also, it is possible to set the whole application to antialiasing, including the menus and editing box; by using the command line option <code>-Dswing.aatext=true</code> of Java 1.5.0. Unfortunately, this is not available if you're using FreeMind.exe to launch FreeMind.


=== What kind of encryption is used? ===


Mind maps on web pages with FreeMind's applet
: ''See [[Encryption]].''


To get FreeMind's applet working. See the guide. If you'd like to view a mind map published by someone else and have problems, check out in the Internet Explorer if in Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Java > ``Use Java2'' is enabled. Of course, you'll need to have Sun Java installed.
=== Reminders don't work when I start a map. The PDF-Export is not present. What's happening? ===
There, the plugins (not only the PDF/SVG one) appear only if you start FreeMind from the directory where it has been installed. Especially if you start FreeMind by double-clicking on a FreeMind file (.mm file), this is not the case. So, use your icon and choose open to open your file.


To present your mind map on the web. Use FreeMind's browser applet. The following document (thanks to Bob) explains what to do to have a complete testing environment for your applet. The most common problem to see a freemind browser applet is that you have to use Java >= 1.4 in your browser. Check this using the "About plugins" section of your browser (or a similar place).
== Customizing FreeMind ==


To view the toolbar automatically after the applet starts. It is necessary to edit the html starter of the applet and change the corresponding property. That is, set toolbarVisible=true. More precisely, add a tag <PARAM NAME="toolbarVisible" VALUE="true"> to freemindbrowser.html or whatever name you have changed the file to.
=== How do I add a new keyboard shortcut ===
To add a new keyboard shortcut, say for "Change node background color", open the file
mindmap_menus.xml (in freemind.jar) and search for "background", say.


Is there a list of names and values and functions of all params for the applet? No. Theoretically, all parameters found in user.properties can be used as parameters of the applet.
You'll find
<pre>
  <menu_action field="nodeColor" key_ref="keystroke_node_color"/>
  <menu_action field="nodeColorBlend" key_ref="keystroke_node_color_blend"/>
  <menu_action field="nodeBackgroundColor"/>
  <menu_action field="removeNodeBackgroundColor"/>
</menu_category>
</pre>
Here, you add a new keyboard ref attribute like:
<pre>
  <menu_action field="nodeColor" key_ref="keystroke_node_color"/>
  <menu_action field="nodeColorBlend" key_ref="keystroke_node_color_blend"/>
  <menu_action field="nodeBackgroundColor" key_ref="keystroke_node_background_color"/>
  <menu_action field="removeNodeBackgroundColor"/>
</menu_category>
</pre>
Open the file freemind.properties and add a line like
<pre>
#
keystroke_node_color = alt F
keystroke_node_color_blend = alt B
keystroke_edge_color = alt E
keystroke_node_background_color=alt N
</pre>
But you have to search for free keys...


=== To set expert settings ===


Most of expert settings are stored in the [[user.properties]] file.


=== To use another browser ===


Bugs (and workarounds) in FreeMind
If you want to use another browser, edit the [[user.properties]] file and change the following property according to your operation system:


FreeMind behaves strange or crashes. What can I do? First try reinstalling both Java (mostly the latest version is best) and !Freemind. Often this solves problems. One of the problems solved in this way was:
default_browser_command_windows_nt
default_browser_command_windows_9x
default_browser_command_mac
default_browser_command_other_os


My computer crashes, or more precisely locks, when I click on a link in FreeMind, using J2RE 1.4.2_03 on Windows 98. Reinstalling helped. In retrospect, I think what broke it was that I renamed the J2RE directory to something easier to write in the bat file path statement. Broke it.
You have to write something like
When I drag files into the FreeMind window, FreeMind just works very long or I get a mind map of the file system This is a bug which is a least present on FreeMind 7.2 beta and lower on Windows. I only know of a wordaround for this: Go to the user.properties and delete ",freemind.modes.filemode.FileMode?". This disables the file mode of FreeMind.
default_browser_command_windows_nt = C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe "{0}"
...


Changing the key bindings in user.properties does not work It seems that capitalization IS important in the keybindings. I wrote "enter" and it didn't work. I changed it to "ENTER" and it worked! (FreeMind 7.2 beta)
=== To change language ===




Lydia


language= ja


Using: HTML-related things
language = ja


What HTML tags does FreeMind support? FreeMind basic HTML supports in its nodes. The node must start with "<html>" for that! What HTML is supported depends on the Java virtual machine. Among others, users have reported the following uses:
Don't forget to remove the # character. Restart FreeMind and you have changed the language to German. See also [[Development#To_translate_FreeMind_into_your_language|the list of available languages]].


<html><p style="background-color:yellow">the node text</p>
=== To set a different key for new child node on Mac computers ===
To embed, or more precisely link, images into FreeMind. You can link imagines into FreeMind using context menu of a node, accesed using right click (on MAC OS X Panther use Control click). Or type the following:


<html><img src="image.jpg"></html>where image.jpg is the reference to an image.
NOTE: The latest version of Freemind now sets the "tab" key as the default key for inserting a new node on a mac. Unfortunately, this is not documented in an obvious place. If you right or control click on a node you see a menu that does tell you the Tab shortcut for creating a child node but this is easily missed.


To put the contents of a Microsoft Word document into FreeMind.
In a manner similar to changing the language, replace


First paste the Word document into Microsoft FrontPage.
#keystroke_add_child = INSERT
Delete the images afterwards as FreeMind does not support them.
Remove the <head> ... </head> in the source text view in FrontPage.
But leave the <html>! The node needs to start with that.
Replace <body> with <body width=600> or similar width specification.
Finally, paste the HTML text as a long node into FreeMind.
To have tables in FreeMind. If you have Microsoft Frontpage available, it is convenient to create and edit HTML content there and paste it to and from FreeMind. Beware that the html code has to start with <html>. This way, you can conveniently create tables using the drawing tools of Frontpage. You can create formatted text this way as well; in that case, beware to set <body width=600> or similar. However, FreeMind does not interpret all HTML; especially, it does not interpret inline CSS styling so you have to use hard formatting instead.


If you want the table borders to have a nice two dimensional look rather than bevelled, start the HTML as follows.
with


<html>
keystroke_add_child = control shift ENTER
<head>
<style> td { border-style: solid } table { border-style: solid } </style>
</head>


in the file [[user.properties]]. Pay attention that you write the key code ENTER in capital letters. 


N.B. Setting the ADD CHILD MAC is not enough, ADD CHILD must also be set (at least with Beta 9 on Leopard)


This can also be done via the Freemind GUI by selecting Tools/Preferences/Keystrokes instead of editing the properties file.


The command ("Apple") key can be referred to as "meta" in these keystroke sequences - in case you were wondering.


FreeMind on Microsoft Windows
=== There is no shortcut to insert a note. Why? ===
There is no shortcut on purpose, as this action does not come with undo.
If you want to have this shortcut, you can download the sources, patch NodeNote.xml such that it contains a key_stroke="alt N" in the first lines as here:


How do I install a test version of FreeMind? Just unzip the package to the folder "C:\Program Files\FreeMind". That completes the "installation". You can start it by running freemind.exe. You can find test versions here .
<plugin_action 
documentation="%accessories/plugins/NodeNote.properties_documentation"
name="%accessories/plugins/NodeNote.properties_name"
base="freemind.extensions.NodeHookAdapter" 
'''key_stroke="alt N"'''
icon_path="accessories/plugins/icons/knotes.png" 
label="accessories/plugins/NodeNote.properties" 
class_name="accessories.plugins.NodeNote" instanciation="Once">


FreeMind does not seem to be affected by the things I edit in the user.properties. Why? Read the anser here: user.properties


To create a screenshort of FreeMind and paste it into Microsoft Word or Microsoft Powerpoint. To take a screenshot of your whole windows screen into clipboard, press Ctrl + Print Screen. To take a screenshot of the active window only into clipboard, press Alt + Print Screen. Select your Word or Powerpoint document and press Ctrl + V. On German keyboard, the key PrintScreen? has the label ``Druck''. However, such a screenshot also contains FreeMind's window frame, not just the map contents. In Microsoft Word and Microsoft Powerpoint, this can be solved by cropping the screenshot; the cropping tool can be found in Picture toolbar.
compile and you are done. BUT REMEMBER: Pressing your key on a node, that already contains a note, makes this note to remove WITHOUT UNDO.  
At your own risk, Chris


To export a map to Microsoft Powerpoint. There's no elegant way to export a map to Powerpoint. The only way to do it is to take a screenshot, and paste it into Powerpoint.


=== Using physical styles (or patterns) ===


Physical styles and patterns are the same and can be compared to "styles" in a text writer: you define a set of styling attributes, give this set a name, and can then assign the style or pattern to different nodes in the same way.


The patterns are defined in the file <tt>patterns.xml</tt> placed in the FreeMind user directory. In Windows, that file is <tt>C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\.freemind\patterns.xml</tt>; under Linux, it's <tt>~/.freemind/patterns.xml</tt>. The generic format of this file is the following:


Other things
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<patterns>
  <pattern name="Pattern1">
  [...pattern properties...]
  </pattern>
  <pattern name="Pattern2">
  [...pattern properties...]
  </pattern>
  [...more patterns...]
</patterns>


Other sources of information about FreeMind
As you can see from above, you need to give each pattern a unique name, and then you need to assign pattern properties. Each pattern property is of the form <tt><'''pattern_property_name''' value="'''property_value'''"/></tt>, or <tt><'''pattern_property_name'''/></tt>, and each property stands for a different format parameter. Where the property is listed without value attribute, the corresponding format is reset to its default value. The following property names are possible:


See also Tips and Tricks for FreeMind.
* pattern_node_background_color
Don't forget the documentation mind maps found in FreeMind's help menu.
* pattern_node_color
To spell FreeMind correctly. "FreeMind", with a capital M.
* pattern_node_style
* pattern_node_text
* pattern_node_font_name
* pattern_node_font_bold
* pattern_node_font_italic
* pattern_node_font_size
* pattern_icon
* pattern_edge_color
* pattern_edge_style
* pattern_edge_width
* pattern_child


To suggest new enhancements of FreeMind Keywords: additional features, additional functions. At FreeMind's project page, you can submit Requests for Enhancements (RFEs)
==== Allowed values ====


For colors, the format of the value is "#RRGGBB", where RR, GG, BB are the hexadecimal values of the red, green, blue components of a color, e.g. "#B3B95C".


<code>pattern_icon</code> can take one of the following values:


* help
* messagebox_warning
* idea
* button_ok
* button_cancel
* full-1
* full-2
* full-3
* full-4
* full-5
* full-6
* full-7
* back
* forward
* attach
* ksmiletris
* smily_bad
* clanbomber
* desktop_new
* flag
* gohome
* kaddressbook
* knotify
* korn
* Mail
* password
* pencil
* stop
* wizard
* xmag
* bell
* bookmark
* penguin
* licq


; TODO : Add more explanations about the possible values and exact impact for each property.


This FAQ
==== Example(s) ====


I have a question not listed here, what should I do? Add your question here to the section Questions not yet answered. Or, ask your question in FreeMind's Help forum. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that you will get help, still, many users get it.
An example of a pattern is therefore:


To edit this FAQ. Edit this page like any other wiki page (click edit or press alt-E). But if you're adding a question, copy the format of an old question and edit it (to give it a matching HTML named anchor like the others). This will cause it to appear in the automatic table of contents. Section headings are marked with h2 tags.
<pattern name="Blue with edges and icon">
  <pattern_node_background_color/>
  <pattern_node_color value="#000099"/>
  <pattern_node_style/>
  <pattern_icon value="flag"/>
  <pattern_edge_color value="#009999"/>
  <pattern_edge_style/>
  <pattern_edge_width value="4"/>
</pattern>


Or, just post as a comment and someone will merge it later.  
This information and more can be discovered by opening any .mm file in a text or XML editor. You can usually search for the text in an element to find the example of what you want to learn how to do.


Note: The anchor references to questions ending in _? (eg. How ?) do not work. Please put the question mark directly after the last word of the sentence. I guess it's browser-specific. I've been relying on mozilla. Are there other links that don't work for some people?
; Note : the complete list of pattern properties can be found in the source code, in the file <tt>freemind/freemind_actions.xsd</tt> (search for ''pattern_''), and the list of icons in the file <tt>freemind/modes/MindIcon.java</tt> (search for ''mAllIconNames.add'').


Where can I practice editing pages on this Wiki? Click on this link and just hit the edit button on the lower right: Sandbox
== Can one make a script to run filters according to the attributes of selected nodes ==


I'm looking for a way to run filters more intuitively by making the filter by way of clicking on the attributes and icons in nodes on the mind map. Is this possible. Or i guess more simply to make a script that will run a selected filter (However this would be time consuming to do that for many nodes) Any suggestions?


== Mind maps on web pages with FreeMind's applet ==


=== To get FreeMind's applet working. ===
If you experience problems viewing a mind map published by someone else, the most common problem is that you have to use Java >= 1.4 in your browser. Check this using the "About plugins" section of your browser (or a similar place). If you have Java >= 1.4 installed and still experiencing problems check out Internet Explorer's settings by selecting Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Java and make sure ``Use Java2" is enabled.


Questions not yet answered
=== To present your mind map on the web ===
Use FreeMind's browser applet. The following [http://freemind.sourceforge.net/docs/Serving%20Freemind%20maps%20in%20a%20browser/index.html document] (thanks to Bob) explains what to do to have a complete testing environment for your applet.


Don't hesitate to post your messages here below.
=== Quick Java Applet instructions if you are already a code wiz ===


How can I include FreeMind maps in Wikka Wiki pages?
<APPLET CODE="freemind.main.FreeMindApplet.class" ARCHIVE="freemindbrowser.jar"
WIDTH="100%" HEIGHT="80%">
<PARAM NAME="type" VALUE="application/x-java-applet;version=1.4">
<PARAM NAME="scriptable" VALUE="false">
<PARAM NAME="toolbarVisible" VALUE="true">
<\!--        ^ this has no effect on my pc -->
<PARAM NAME="modes" VALUE="freemind.modes.browsemode.BrowseMode">
<PARAM NAME="browsemode_initial_map" VALUE="http://www.osde.info/osde.mm">
<\!--                                      ^ Put the FULL path to your map here  -->
<param NAME="initial_mode" VALUE="Browse">
<param NAME="selection_method" VALUE="selection_method_direct">
</APPLET>


   
In some cases, it may be necessary to set the '''ARCHIVE''' property to also use the '''Full Path''' to the .jar file. In the above example, the initial '''APPLET''' element would appear as:
<APPLET CODE="freemind.main.FreeMindApplet.class"
ARCHIVE="http://www.exmaple.com/freemindbrowser.jar" WIDTH="100%" HEIGHT="80%">
 
The most recent version of above source and freemindbrowser.jar are contained in the freemindbrowser.zip-Archive, which you can get from [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=7118&package_id=16120 the sourceforge-site].
 
=== To view the toolbar automatically after the applet starts ===
It is necessary to edit the html starter of the applet and change the corresponding property. That is, set
toolbarVisible=true. More precisely, add a tag
<PARAM NAME="toolbarVisible" VALUE="true">
to freemindbrowser.html or whatever name you have changed the file to.
 
=== Is there a list of names and values and functions of all params for the applet? ===
No. Theoretically, all parameters found in user.properties can be used as parameters of the applet.
 
 
=== Is it possible to change or edit the map through an applet? ===
 
No. There is no applet for ''editing'' mind maps; only for viewing.
 
=== My document isn't opened by the applet ===
 
The URL of the document *must* end with .mm.  If it doesn't the document opens in a new browser window.  The trick I use is to append a dummy parameter like in this example:
 
  http://myserver/mypath/mydoc?e=.mm
 
This trick is specially useful for dynamic documents. (this is an opinion only. Some people, like Garito, thinks in another way)
 
===Java Applet for XHTML===
 
The same Freemind Browser can be used but instead of using the 'applet' element, the 'object' element can be used instead. Using Shayne Steele's [http://ww2.cs.fsu.edu/~steele/XHTML/appletObject.html approach], the following code can be used for placing a file called Textbook.mm that is located in http://example.com/freemind/ (along with the freemindbrowser.jar file):
 
&lt;!--[if !IE]--&gt;
&lt;object classid="java:freemind.main.FreeMindApplet.class"
      type="application/x-java-applet"
      archive="http://example.com/freemind/freemindbrowser.jar"
      width="450" height="300"&gt;
    &lt;param name="scriptable" value="false" /&gt;
    &lt;param name="modes" value="freemind.modes.browsemode.BrowseMode" /&gt;
    &lt;param name="browsemode_initial_map" value="http://example.com/freemind/Textbook.mm" /&gt;
    &lt;param name="initial_mode" value="Browse" /&gt;
    &lt;param name="selection_method" value="selection_method_direct" /&gt;
&lt;!-- &lt;![endif]--&gt;
    &lt;object classid="clsid:8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93"
          codebase="http://java.sun.com/update/1.5.0/jinstall-1_5_0-windows-i586.cab"
          height="300" width="450"&gt;
      &lt;param name="code" value="freemind.main.FreeMindApplet" /&gt;
      &lt;param name="archive" value="http://example.com/freemind/freemindbrowser.jar" /&gt;
      &lt;param name="scriptable" value="false" /&gt;
      &lt;param name="modes" value="freemind.modes.browsemode.BrowseMode" /&gt;
      &lt;param name="browsemode_initial_map" value="http://example.com/freemind/Textbook.mm" /&gt;
      &lt;param name="initial_mode" value="Browse" /&gt;
      &lt;param name="selection_method" value="selection_method_direct" /&gt;
      &lt;strong&gt;
        This browser does not have a Java Plug-in.
      &lt;/strong&gt;
      &lt;br /&gt;
      &lt;a href="http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/downloads/index.html"&gt;
        Get the latest Java Plug-in here.
      &lt;/a&gt;
    &lt;/object&gt;
&lt;!--[if !IE]&gt;--&gt;
&lt;/object&gt;
&lt;!-- &lt;![endif]--&gt;
 
It works and it is valid markup. If placing in an HTML file, use '&gt;' instead of ' /&gt;' for the param element ending.
 
== Workarounds in FreeMind ==
 
===FreeMind behaves strange or crashes. What can I do?===
First try reinstalling both Java (mostly the latest version is best) and Freemind. Often this solves problems.
One of the problems solved in this way was:
 
'' ''My computer crashes, or more precisely locks, when I click on a link in FreeMind, using J2RE 1.4.2_03 on Windows 98. Reinstalling helped. In retrospect, I think what broke it was that I renamed the J2RE directory to something easier to write in the bat file path statement. Broke it. ''
 
=== When I drag files into the FreeMind window, FreeMind slows down or I get a mind map of the file system ===
This is a bug which is a least present on FreeMind 7.2 beta and lower on Windows. I only know of a workaround for this: Go to the [[user.properties]] and delete ",freemind.modes.filemode.FileMode". This disables the file mode of FreeMind.
 
=== Changing the key bindings in user.properties does not work ===
It seems that capitalization IS important in the keybindings. I wrote "enter" and it didn't work. I changed it to "ENTER" and it worked!
(FreeMind 7.2 beta)
 
=== FreeMind fails to work with or, cannot export large maps ===
When FreeMind fails to work with big maps, you may do the following.
 
Assign more memory to the Java virtual machine as a workaround by editing the launching script. Edit <code>freemind.bat</code> or <code>Freemind.sh</code> and add a <code>-Xmx''MEM''</code> parameter to the <code>java</code> command line at the end of the script, like <code>java -Xmx512m ...</code> for 512 megabytes maximum memory and <code>java -Xmx768m ...</code> for 768 megabytes maximum memory. Believing the manual of Java, the default is 64 MB and the maximum is slightly less than 2000 on an x86 processor, which should be enough.
 
Beware that exporting may still take a while. For instance, it may take 11 minutes to export a mind map with 740 nodes to JPEG.
 
<strong>On OS X</strong>:
Edit the Info.plist file <code>/Applications/Mac_OS_X_Freemind-0_8_1/FreeMind.app/Contents/Info.plist</code> and add the following key to the <br /><code>
&lt;key&gt;Java&lt;/key&gt; <br />
&lt;dict&gt; </code><br />section:<br />
<code>
&lt;key&gt;VMOptions&lt;/key&gt;<br />
&lt;string&gt;-Xmx1024m&lt;/string&gt;
</code>
 
=== Plugins not found when FreeMind 0.8 starts by double-clicking a FreeMind mind map ===
 
The following Microsoft Windows laucher fixes the problem that plugins were not found when FreeMind was started by double-clicking a FreeMind mind map. Download the  [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detail&aid=1361629&group_id=7118&atid=307118 patch with fixed Windows launcher], and replace <tt>Freemind.exe</tt> found in <tt>C:\Program Files\FreeMind</tt> with the one found in the patch, given you are in Windows. Backing up the original <tt>Freemind.exe</tt> is advisable.
 
=== Freemind 0.9.0RC4 can't quit without saving ===
I try to quit without saving (respond "No" to question) and it just goes back to map.  Ended task with Task Manager on Windows and got same prompt and goes back to map again.  Ending task a second time with Task Manager finally kills the program.
 
== Using HTML in long nodes ==
 
=== What HTML tags does FreeMind support? ===
 
FreeMind supports basic HTML in its nodes. For HTML to take effect, a node must start
with "&lt;html>". What HTML is supported depends on the Java virtual machine.
Among others, users have reported the following uses:
 
<nowiki><html><p style="background-color:yellow">the node text</p></nowiki>
 
<nowiki><html><p align="center">the node <br> text</p></nowiki>
 
=== To embed, or more precisely link, images into FreeMind. ===
You can link images into FreeMind using context menu of a node, accessed using right click (on MAC OS X Panther use Control click). Or type the following:
&lt;html&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;image.jpg&quot;&gt;&lt;/html&gt;
where image.jpg is the reference to an image.
 
=== To put the contents of a Microsoft Word document into FreeMind. ===
 
* First paste the Word document into Microsoft FrontPage.
* Delete the images afterwards as FreeMind does not support them.
* Remove the &lt;head> ... &lt;/head> in the source text view in FrontPage.
* But leave the &lt;html>! The node needs to start with that.
* Replace &lt;body&gt; with &lt;body width=600&gt; or similar width specification.
* Finally, paste the HTML text as a long node into FreeMind.
 
=== To have tables in FreeMind ===
If you have Microsoft Frontpage available, it is convenient to create and
edit HTML content there and paste it to and from FreeMind. Beware that the html code has to start with
''&lt;html&gt;''. This way, you can conveniently create tables using the drawing tools of Frontpage.
You can create formatted text this way as well; in that case, beware to set ''&lt;body width=600&gt;''
or similar. However, FreeMind does not interpret all HTML; especially, it does not interpret inline
CSS styling so you have to use hard formatting instead.
 
If you want the table borders to have a '''nice two dimensional look''' rather than bevelled, start
the HTML as follows.
 
<html>
<head>
<style> td  { border-style: solid } table { border-style: solid } </style>
</head>
 
== Generating mind maps programmatically ==
 
=== To insert a newline into a node ===
 
Insert <code>&amp;#xa;</code> instead of plain newline. Example of a map with three newlines:
 
<map version="0.7.1">
<node TEXT="New Mindmap">
<node TEXT="A&amp;#xa;B&amp;#xa;C&amp;#xa;D" POSITION="right"/>
</node>
</map>
 
=== To use unicode characters in the node text ===


FreeMind understands and uses <code>&amp;#xnn;</code>, where nn is equivalent to the '''hexadecimal''' number representing the character. It '''does not''' understand <code>&amp;#nnn;</code>, where nnn is '''decimal''' number. An example of a map containing ''AretA?A?A?A©'' follows.


<map version="0.7.1">
<node TEXT="Aret&amp;#xe9;"/>
</map>


== FreeMind on Microsoft Windows ==


stand alone browser -- Wed, 05 May 2004 20:05:27 +0200 reply
=== How do I install a test version of FreeMind? ===
is there a way to include and use the FreeMind browser applet on a CD-ROM. I want to use it to present my mindmap in a browser with links to documents included on the cd-rom and on the internet.
Just unzip the package to the folder "C:\Program Files\FreeMind". That completes the "installation".
You can start it by running freemind.exe (or freemind.bat if the exe does not exist). You can find test versions [http://freemind.sourceforge.net/testversions/ here].


Linking trees -- Fri, 07 May 2004 22:51:58 +0200 reply
=== FreeMind does not seem to be affected by the things I edit in the user.properties. Why? ===
Is there a way to associate a whole subtree from another part in the map? For instance, I am trying to create topics of programming knowledge and find that "Patterns" would fall under "C++", "JAVA" and "General programming techniques". I just want to make sure that what gets changed under one subtree gets propagated to the other instances.
See [[user.properties]].
[http://www.slow-computer-solutions.org/ slow computer solutions]


Re: Linking Trees -- Sat, 08 May 2004 00:15:21 +0200 reply
=== FreeMind starts and reacts so slow. Why? How to resolve? ===
Answer to the above "Linking Trees" (teaches me to read the friendly manual first): 1. Go to the source node. 2. Mark it with the mouse. 3. Press the left mouse button. 4. Hold this button. 5. Press Ctrl+Shift buttons. 6. Continue to hold all these buttons. 7. Go to the destination node. 8. Release the mouse button, first. 9. Then release the keybord buttons.
This seems to be an effect of the connection between Java and MS DirectX. You can deactivate the usage of DirectX for Freemind by editing the Freemind.bat file in your FreeMind directory.


You have your link. Alternatively, drag'n drop holding right mouse button.
Add the parameter


... -- Mon, 10 May 2004 14:48:11 +0200 reply
-Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true
Can I configure the html export so that it includes a link to a CSS? So I don't have always to change the exported html page.


... -- Fri, 14 May 2004 16:32:59 +0200 reply
before the final expression <tt>freemind.main.FreeMind</tt>.
No. Currently, you can't configure the html export so that it includes a link to CSS or CSS itself.


It doesn't work for me :-( -- Sun, 16 May 2004 15:31:14 +0200 reply
Of course, now you have to use Freemind.bat to start the program instead of executing Freemind.exe. Do not forget to update file associations as well: [[Windows File Associations]]
I installed the latest Java and then FreeMind. I had a play with FreeMind and it crashed. I had to restart my WinXP? machine. Since then, cannot run FreeMind. I have uninstalled FreeMind and Java. Then re-installed Java then FreeMind. If I double click or run the FreeMind exe I don't see a window appear, nothing in the taskbar or anything. Also, if I try open a page on your site, that needs Java then my IE window just closes. Shame, I was looking forward to trying FreeMind. Any ideas?


Platforms -- Wed, 19 May 2004 08:21:49 +0200 reply
As a Java based an hopefully crossflatform application, is it theoretically possible to run on Mac not OS X? What are the problems?


Re: Platforms -- Wed, 19 May 2004 21:43:24 +0200 reply
==== SlickRun ====
It's just that nobody reported running FreeMind on other OS of Mac than Mac OS X. I am ignorant on Mac's operating systems anyway.


Re: Platforms -- Thu, 27 May 2004 04:21:50 +0200 reply
On Windows, if the application launcher utility [http://www.bayden.com/SlickRun/ SlickRun] is running at the same time as FreeMind, it causes FreeMind to (for some reason) respond very slowly. Possible workarounds:
The old Macs are in effect a differen operating system and Apple is nolonger updating it. The old macs do not have Java 1.4+ and will never get it. Solution, old mac user upgrade to OSX and then run FreeMind, which works very well on OSX 10.3.3 Java 1.4.2
* Move FreeMind and SlickRun onto different monitors (on a multi-monitor system).
* Close SlickRun while FreeMind is running.


Antialias? -- Mon, 24 May 2004 13:00:28 +0200 reply
=== File Operations are slow ===
What does "antialias" mean in FreeMind Preferences? Answer: To antialias means to make fonts or curves look smooth by drawing additional pixels with in-between color. See also wikipedia on antialiasing.
With Java6 Update2 you will probably notice this [http://bugs.sun.com/bugdatabase/view_bug.do?bug_id=6578753 bug]. Sun is working on it. Perhaps, you can downgrade to Java6 Update1 or Java5 in the meantime.


=== To create a screenshot of FreeMind and paste it into Microsoft Word or Microsoft Powerpoint ===
To take a screenshot of your whole windows screen into clipboard, press Ctrl + Print Screen. To take a screenshot
of the active window only into clipboard, press Alt + Print Screen. Select your Word or Powerpoint document
and press Ctrl + V. On German keyboard, the key PrintScreen has the label "Druck". However, such a screenshot
also contains FreeMind's window frame, not just the map contents. In Microsoft Word and Microsoft Powerpoint, this
can be solved by cropping the screenshot; the cropping tool can be found in Picture toolbar..


On linking nodes with OpenOffice1?.1.1. under Linux2.4 -- Mon, 07 Jun 2004 10:51:23 +0200 reply
===To export a map to Microsoft Powerpoint===
Hello, under W2K, I can link nodes with external documents without any problem. Under Linux I didn't figure out a way of doing the same. A 2003 post by Daniel stated that, at this time, there was no other possiblity under Linux but launching Mozilla whatever file extension or mime type was associated in the link. Is there a way now ? (2004/06/07)
There's no elegant way to export a map to PowerPoint. One option is to take a screenshot, and paste it into Powerpoint. PowerPoint supports graphic file insertion, so another option is upgrading to a more recent version of FreeMind that supports JPEG export.


Re: On linking nodes with OpenOffice1?.1.1. under Linux2.4 -- Mon, 07 Jun 2004 13:40:52 +0200 reply
One another solution is by using a Flash plugin:
Self answer, found in a forum : "Answer Unlike Windows, Linux does not have a core facility that launches applications based on a file's MIMEtype?. Such capabilities exist in various places - such as in the file managers for the desktops - but I know of no command you could reliably use in all Linux environments to launch an application from a file." One possible solution might be to launch the file in Netscape itself, with the AppletContext?.showDocument() method. Netscape would presumably "show" the document in some way that makes sense for the document's MIMEtype?." ____


Well well, if starting an application based on the mime type seems difficult in Linux, it may exist another way. Sorry for the presumable childish question : is it possible to use Mozilla for issuing a shell like commande, like "../program/swriter toto.sxw" ? Or anything else that would open the linked openoffice file from a node and letting not only view (a html save as would do it) but actually edit? Thank you for your attention. JFD PS If there is no elegant workaround, I'll copy the full text paths in the text nodes and later copy to the openOffice url locator for editing / viewing.
1. Insert a control "Shockwave Flash Object" with the Control toolbar (go to display/toolbar/customise if not available).


Hosting freemind on IIS -- Tue, 08 Jun 2004 07:16:45 +0200 reply
2. Activate the propeties window by double clicking on the rectangle of the object
How to Host freemind on IIS


W2K, OpenOffice1?.1.1 (upgrade), and broken file links -- Wed, 09 Jun 2004 20:10:53 +0200 reply
3. Click on the custom "property"
Since upgrading my OpenOffice from 1.1.0 to 1.1.1 a link to a spreadsheet no longer works. I've tried re-doing the link to no avail. No other problems noted with the OO or freemind; what now?


maybe wikimedia or tiki instead?... this wiki is not very wiki like -- Thu, 10 Jun 2004 02:20:08 +0200 reply
4. On the new opened window set the "movie URL" to the full path of the plugin (i.e: c:\path\visorFreemind.swf)


5. Set the "base URL" to the name of your freemind file (i.e.: index.mm)


stand alone browser -- Thu, 10 Jun 2004 02:21:54 +0200 reply
6. Start your diaporama and you will see the cross inside the rectangle replaced by your freemind map
load it all in one folder with relative links and burn... tell us what happens


Re: maybe wikimedia or tiki instead?... this wiki is not very wiki like -- Fri, 11 Jun 2004 19:23:22 +0200 reply
Well, I think this Wiki is just fine. Whether it uses what is considered standard Wiki markup I cannot tell; the markup is quite fine anyway. Dan of FreeMind.


Email Links from FreeMind -- Thu, 17 Jun 2004 07:12:30 +0200 reply
In PowerPoint 2007 --[[User:HugoContreras|HugoContreras]] 17:41, 5 Dec 2009 (UTC)
How do I paste in an email link? I can paste in a link to a message, but it doesn't seem to work like the example on the Documentation


W2K, OpenOffice1?.1.1 (upgrade), and broken file links -- Fri, 18 Jun 2004 15:51:26 +0200 reply
4. On the new opened window set the property "movie" to '''visorFreemind.swf?xml_path=index.mm'''.
Regarding this roblem of mine -- might it help to reinstall FreeMind?


more languages? -- Sat, 19 Jun 2004 01:08:44 +0200 reply
5. Set the property "Play" to '''true'''. Set the property "EmbedMovie" to '''true'''.
Is German or French available? Re: Change the language in user.properties.


.deb install -- Sun, 20 Jun 2004 22:57:33 +0200 reply
Save ppt file in the same location that visorFreemind.swf and index.mm
hello, how do I install freemind[bla]?.deb on my debian system? I did not find any answers about what to do after downloading the dot deb file on this page :(


URL nodes -- Fri, 25 Jun 2004 18:09:59 +0200 reply
Can you have nodes that are URLs?? Re: What do you mean by ,,nodes that are URLS?'' Nodes can have web links inserted, but that does not seem to answer your question. Re: I am sorry - Ctrl K does what I wanted. (great tool by the way!)


Difference between FreeMind and Buzan mind-maps? -- Mon, 28 Jun 2004 17:52:56 +0200 reply
If not successfull with those explanation, you will find a more complete information at the following address: [http://www.flashgeek.com FlashGeek]
Why do you say that FreeMind isn't really like Buzan-style mind-maps? Simon Re: We have several reasons for warning users that FreeMind does not comply fully with Buzan's wishes. Firstly, the graphical possibilities are limited. The look of the main branches is basically the same as the look of secondary branches. The positioning of the main branches is not flexible, unlike in MindManager. Secondly, the support for pictures is inferior. We do not support pictures embedded directly in the mind map, i.e. the picture files are stored outside the mind maps. And when you try to edit a picture, your favorite bitmap editor is not opened. Summed up, it is possible to work with pictures, but not seamless. Our main point is to keep as many as possible of the statements we make on the web pages traceable. We don't want to create a gap between expectations created by our presentation texts and by the actual user experience. Dan of FreeMind


Provide links between nodes or link to a specific node in a different map -- Thu, 01 Jul 2004 19:54:05 +0200 reply
Or you can export to RTF using a XSLT like this:
Is there a way to establish a link from one node to another node, either in the same, or a different map?


Forked background colors -- Wed, 07 Jul 2004 03:56:02 +0200 reply
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
How, precisely, do you change the background color - not text - of the forked (not Cloud) style of the nodes?
<xsl:stylesheet version="1.0" xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform">
<xsl:template match="/">{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252
  {\fonttbl
    {\f1\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq0 Arial;}
  }
  {\colortbl;
    \red0\green0\blue0;
  }
  {\stylesheet
    {\s1\qc\f1\fs44\ppscheme-3\lang1110\level1 heading 1;}
    {\s2\li270\fi-270\f1\fs32\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level2 heading 2;}
    {\s3\li585\fi-225\f1\fs28\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level3 heading 3;}
    {\s4\li900\fi-180\f1\fs24\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level4 heading 4;}
    {\s5\li1260\fi-180\f1\fs20\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level5 heading 5;}
    {\s6\li1620\fi-180\f1\fs20\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level6 heading 6;}
  }
  <xsl:apply-templates />
}
</xsl:template>
<xsl:template match="node">
\pard\plain\ltrpar\s1\qc\f1\fs44\ppscheme-3\lang1110{\f1
                                                    <xsl:value-of select="@TEXT"/>\par}
  <xsl:for-each select="child::node">
\pard\plain\ltrpar\s2\li270\fi-270\f1\fs32\ppscheme-1\lang1110\li0\fi0\qc{\f1
                                                    <xsl:value-of select="@TEXT"/>\par}
  </xsl:for-each>
  <xsl:apply-templates select="node" />
</xsl:template>
</xsl:stylesheet>


To open links in only one browser window, rather than several -- Wed, 07 Jul 2004 04:13:40 +0200 reply
and then open it using PowerPoint.
Depends on the internet browser you are using. With Mozilla Firefox with TabBrowser? Extension you can customize Mozilla to work with one window only, open new links in separated Tabs.


To set background picture -- Wed, 07 Jul 2004 04:43:57 +0200 reply
===To export / import a map to Microsoft Project===
Hmm - can you specify a picture to be used as the background and not a color per se? Re: No, it's not possible.
See [[Import and export]]


.deb install -- Thu, 15 Jul 2004 17:42:04 +0200 reply
== FreeMind on Mac OS X ==
I tried the following and it worked (Debian/sarge): $ dpkg -i freemind.deb


Cheers, Christophe.
See [[MacOS]].


Multi-line nodes overlap others -- Thu, 15 Jul 2004 20:10:19 +0200 reply
== Using a default Save/Open Directory for FreeMind on Mac OS X ==
Multi-line nodes overlap with other nodes, making the others difficult to see and access. How can I stop this happening? Re: This is a known error; only the children of the root suffer from this.


Fonts -- Mon, 19 Jul 2004 15:49:26 +0200 reply
This is a workaround that works for me.  My biggest pain was navigating to my Maps directory with FreeMind everytime I wanted to save a new, or open an existing map.  My Maps directory is ~/Documents/Maps.  Here's the process to do so:
Is there a simple way of changing the fonts (or color, size, etc) of all nodes at once?


.deb install and dependences -- Wed, 28 Jul 2004 14:39:49 +0200 reply
* Copy your existing .freemind directory from ~ to ~/Documents/Maps or wherever you want your default Map save directory to be.
freemind Debian package needs j2re1.4 or java2-runtime packages that are not in Debian archives. How can I find them ? Thanks for your answer.


... -- Wed, 28 Jul 2004 21:56:25 +0200 reply
* Go to /Applications/FreeMind.app -- using Finder. 


* Use Finder to Show Contents of the FreeMind App


installation won't pick up j2se1.4 -- Wed, 28 Jul 2004 22:05:43 +0200 reply
* Navigate to Contents/MacOS
I'm trying to install freemind-0.7.1-2.noarch.rpm on Sun's Java Desktop 2.0 (which is essentially SuSE? with some interface changes. I get the following messages:


* Rename the "JavaApplicationStub" to "JavaApplicationStub.real"


# rpm -i freemind-0.7.1-2.noarch.rpm
* Create an executable shellscript with the content below:
error: failed dependencies:
java_runtime >= 1.4 is needed by freemind-0.7.1-2


However, as you can see, I have TWO j2re's >= 1.4:
<pre>#!/bin/sh
export HOME=$HOME/Documents/Maps


logger "=================  Running FreeMind with new home"


j2re-1.4.2_04-fcs
j2re-1.4.2_05-fcs


java is in the path:
exec /Applications/FreeMind.app/Contents/MacOS/JavaApplicationStub.real
</pre>


* Chmod +x on the shellscript (from Terminal)


# which java
/usr/java/j2re1.4.2_05/bin/java
# java -fullversion
java full version "1.4.2_05-b04"


And just for good measure, I've set the JAVA_HOME variable:




# printenv JAVA_HOME
Done. You've now got a default save directory and open directory.  This was a huge timesaver, evertime I fire up FreeMind, it saves me a lot of navigation and time.
/usr/java/j2re1.4.2_05


What is the secret handshake, here?!?
== FreeMind on Linux and other UNIX-like systems ==


re: installation won't pick up j2se1.4 -- Thu, 29 Jul 2004 09:06:38 +0200 reply
Go to the specific page [[FreeMind on Linux]].
Whatever your problem is, the plain binary distribution of FreeMind (in contrast to RPM packaging) should work for you.


re: installation won't pick up j2se1.4 -- Fri, 13 Aug 2004 22:52:31 +0200 reply
== Misc ==
I have just installed FreeMind RPM and had the same problem. As I was sure my j2re was OK, I just made a rpm -i --nodeps. Freemind is working fine.


can't edit wiki -- Mon, 16 Aug 2004 19:22:10 +0200 reply
language = ja


=== Is FreeMind mind mapping software? ===


Is there any support for import/export from MindMapper?? If not are there any clever hacks to do most of the work?
The term '''mind mapping''' is related to british psychologist Tony Buzan. In Buzan's context, mind map is a tree with many colors, pictures and personal expression. '''FreeMind is not''' really '''mind mapping''' software '''in the sense of Tony Buzan''', nevertheless, one would say that FreeMind belongs to the class of so called '''mind mapping software'''.


Deleting Nodes -- Tue, 17 Aug 2004 12:24:32 +0200 reply
Some of members of that class come pretty close to Buzan. Have a look at the site of first class commercial mind mapping software [http://www.mindjet.com/ MindManager]. You may also want to see [http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/mind-maps-examples.htm examples] of mind maps in Buzan's sense.
Is there a way to invoke the deletion of a node with a keyboard combination rather than the right click menus. Althought this is a personal preference anyway, as someone who suffers with RSI, I try to avoid as much mouse activity as possible. Many thanks Re: Press Ctrl + X to delete a node with keyboard.


line-break -- Wed, 18 Aug 2004 12:31:41 +0200 reply
=== To spell FreeMind correctly. ===
Is it possible to have a line-break in a node?
"FreeMind", with a capital M.


line-break -- Wed, 18 Aug 2004 12:56:33 +0200 reply
=== Where can I find a quick reference list of default keyboard shortcuts for the Windows 0.7.1 version? ===
found it myself already. great tool BTW


Notes -- Wed, 18 Aug 2004 15:59:14 +0200 reply
See [[Keyboard shortcuts]].
Is there a way of attaching a note to a node? For example I want to provide more information on a specific node for review purposes without having to add the contents of my note as a separate child node because it is not part of the scheme at hand.


repository for easy distribution to education admins -- Mon, 23 Aug 2004 06:04:34 +0200 reply
=== To suggest new enhancements of FreeMind ===
It would be fantastic if resources were found to supply an rpm repository for the educators using apt-get or yum to maintain and update LTSP; LTSP supplies some 100,000+ students with computer services.
''Keywords: additional features, additional functions.''
At FreeMind's project page, you can [http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=7118&atid=357118 submit Requests for Enhancements (RFEs)].


re: installation won't pick up j2se1.4 -- Mon, 23 Aug 2004 06:56:57 +0200 reply
history of install: 3827 sudo rpm -i --nodeps freemind-0.7.1-2.noarch.rpm 3828 ls 3829 whereis freemind 3830 updatedb 3831 sudo updatedb 3832 freemind/ 3833 ls 3834 sudo freemind


/usr/bin/freemind: line 30: java: command not found


fc1
=== Where can I make a monetary donation to FreeMind? ===


installation won't pick up j2se1.4 -- Mon, 23 Aug 2004 07:46:15 +0200 reply
Currently, we do not accept any monetary donations. --[[User:Danielpolansky|Danielpolansky]] 00:32, 21 Nov 2005 (PST)
I'm not nearly as successful as you. I just installed the jre but it's not coming up when I run which java... How did you set your path? dgd goes looking


zope: no threaded comments -- Mon, 23 Aug 2004 07:47:16 +0200 reply
== This FAQ ==
Bummer, zope doesn't appear to thread comments.


zope: no threaded comments -- Mon, 23 Aug 2004 07:48:17 +0200 reply
=== I have a question not listed here, what should I do? ===
and clicking on the table of contents doesn't jump to page anchor


Easiest way to combine two maps? -- Fri, 27 Aug 2004 22:07:23 +0200 reply
See [[Support]].
What is the easiest way to combine two large maps into one, preferably preserving the first two? I'd like to run two separate sessions of Freemind with two different groups of people, then combine the results.


Creating Links textfile and Filechooser -- Thu, 02 Sep 2004 16:26:13 +0200 reply
=== To edit this FAQ ===
I am trying to create a link in one mm that links to another mm file. This works okay if the target mm is in my home directory (in my case "P:\My Documents"), but if the target is in a subdirectory of home, I get a "New Mindmap".
Edit this page like any other wiki page (click edit or press alt-E). When adding a question to the talk page, imitate the format of already existing questions.


Creating graphical links beyond the page borders -- Mon, 06 Sep 2004 17:42:31 +0200 reply
=== Where can I practice editing pages on this Wiki? ===
When creating a graphical link and it's beyond the page borders...how do you scroll the screen while holding left mouse button + cntrl + shift. I can's find a way to scroll. Is it possible? Mouse scroll button does not function and neither does the side bar. Maybe I'm missing something.Any suggestions?
Click on this link and just hit the edit button on the lower right: [[Sandbox]]


Viewing online, works in IE6 beautifully, no interation in Firefoc 0.9 -- Thu, 09 Sep 2004 23:48:04 +0200 reply
[[Category:Documentation]]
Having published a test map at http://www.kilobox.net/mindmaps/freemindbrowser.html I fid it works so well in IE6, right clicking functionality and (un)folding children, but there's no such interaction in Firefox 0.9. I've checked my java settings, but no idea, any help? email Wedgekin gmail.com

Latest revision as of 17:02, 25 March 2023

Here we collect a list of asked questions and answers related to free mind mapping software FreeMind. Help if you can (see To edit this FAQ). If you're searching for an answer to your question, why don't you just press Ctrl + F in your browser?

This is not a place to ask questions. If you have a question that you want to ask, see Support.

Installation

How do I download the Java Runtime Environment needed to run FreeMind.

To download JRE for Windows, go to Download, go to the section Download..., say yes, and the download begins.

I start FreeMind but nothing happens

First of all, we assume that you are working under Windows. Now, please start freemind.bat in the installation directory. You'll probably get: 

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: java/util/logging/Logger 
 
at freemind.main.FreeMind.getLogger(FreeMind.java:643) 
at freemind.main.FreeMind.<init>(FreeMind.java:109) 
at freemind.main.FreeMind.main(FreeMind.java:647)

The answer to this behaviour is that you've got Java1.3 or lower installed, and this version of java is found (try java -version on the commandline to verify this). Most likely, you've installed Oracle. Change JAVA_HOME and the PATH variables to point to your actual java (1.4 or 5.0). This can be done as follows: Goto Settings -> System -> search for Environment Variables and change or create the values accordingly.

Another reason Freemind won't start or will give you the effect of having the icon in the Windows taskbar but nothing else is when you install Freemind in a folder that starts with a "!" (exclamation mark); just install it in a different folder. (See http://www.cogmios.nl/java-apps-like-eclipse-or-freemind-do-not-run-in-folders-starting-with-a-20070407.html)

I start FreeMind but nothing happens TRY THIS FIRST

First, check that Java is installed; Then go to Program Files\Freemind\Lib and double-click on the "Freemind.jar" file (which is an executable Jar file).

Alternatively, try to start Freemind from the freemind.bat file. The command.com will open along with Freemind. Just close down Freemind (command.com will close also) and then start Freemind from the Start Menu or from freemind.exe I have no idea why this works but it did for me.

Another reason why Freemind won't start is if you hava JDK installed and JAVA_HOME points to JDK instead of JRE. If you point JAVA_HOME environment variable to the JRE home then Freemind.exe starts up fine.

If the above doesn't work make sure you have the path to java in your PATH variable.

The format is the following:

JAVA_HOME=C:\Program Files\Java\jre6

PATH=C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin;

Your PATH will surely include more things.

I start FreeMind and can create a map but can not save it

The most obvious indication is that you click on open/save/save as and nothing happens. What is happening is that the file browser window is failing to open. There are two fixes; Either change JAVA_HOME to point to a JRE rather than a JDK or edit the Freemind.bat file to use the absolute path to the correct java and start Freemind with the bat file. It will be something like "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_05\bin\java" instead of just java. Note the use of quote marks and that your java path may not be the same as the example.

I start FreeMind but nothing happens on MacOS X Leopard

I launch FreeMind 0.8.1 on MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard), the FreeMind welcome image appears and after few moments, FreeMind quit after a pop up window "Cannot lunch Java application (Uncaught exception in main method: Java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space)".

    • Freemind does not seem to work if you simply drag the butterfly icon to the applications folder- you have to move the WHOLE installed folder (Mac_OS_X_Freemind-0_8_1) into the applications folder, and click on the icon within that folder (attach that icon to the dock). The program seems to need to have everything together in that folder for it to launch.

Thanks SO MUCH for this! I was going NUTS trying to get this to happen! Not a tecchie by any means! Angie]

This issue might be related to the problem met by OpenOffice users on Leopard. Apple seems to have replaced "Apple Computer, Inc." by "Apple, Inc." in the Java string. The JRE is thus not recognized anymore on Leopard, and Java fails. (Web Reference)

Hope this issue will be fixed in the next FreeMind release.

Temporary Solution  : It is possible de launch FreeMind via FreeMind.app > Content > Resources > Java > lib > freemind.jar

I suggest to place an alias in the Dock, for a more friendly access to FreeMind

I was able to get FreeMind 0.9.0 beta 20 to launch on Mac OS X 10.5.5 (Leopard) by editing the Info.plist JVMVersion string to read 1.6 instead of 1.4+. For the record, when I run java -version it reports java version "1.5.0_16".

I got the install to work by creating a Freemind folder under Applications, copying the rest of the files in the container to it (e.g. freemind.properties, plugins\, accessories\ etc) and then moving the "installed" package to that folder. It looks like Freemind needs to find those files and folders during startup.


OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) and 10.9 (Maverick) won't open the FreeMind application because it is not signed.

See MacOS#FreeMind will not open since the application is not signed.

FreeMind cannot detect new version of Java. What can I do?

Let us assume that you have installed a new version of Java, and still, FreeMind complains about having old version of Java. This may occur especially if you installed SDK rather than JRE. SDK stands for software development kit and contains much more than you need to run FreeMind; you only need the runtime environment. It is important that the new version of java is in your path. To check it out on Microsoft Windows, run command ``cmd" using Windows-key + R, followed by ``java -version". You should get something like 

java version "1.4.2_03"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.4.2_03-b02)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.4.2_03-b02, mixed mode)

where the particular version number is not important as long as it is at least 1.4.0.

Additionally, it may be helpful to start freemind.bat and see what messages come.

NOTE: If you have an Oracle database product installed on your computer, check the Oracle Installer to see what version of Java was installed with the database. Versions of Oracle 8, 8i, and later install JRE 1.3.1 and modify the startup path for Windows to ensure the database can start using this JRE. This installation WILL cause FreeMind to report the older version of Java, even if you install the new version (the .ini file for Oracle points Windows to the JRE 1.3.1 directory, places that in memory, and causes the fault). You can modify the .ini file to point Oracle to the newer JRE.

If you don't want to change the Oracle settings: just create a batch file in the FreeMind folder with the following entry "Path-to-your-new-java-runtimes-bin/java.exe -jar lib/freemind.jar" and use that to start freemind.

Is there an IRC for freemind devs/users

Uploading to gallery

Uploading to gallery gives incorrect file ext. or file corruption message but the file is fine

What do I do?

Uploading filename.mm (generated with FreeMind 0.9) triggers error

File extension does not match MIME type.

Notes:

Which Java virtual machines does FreeMind actually work with?

FreeMind works with the virtual machines from Sun, from the version 1.4.0 and higher. FreeMind has been reported to run on the JDK 1.4.2 from Blackdown. FreeMind also works on Linux with Sun Microsystems 64bit JDK version 1.5.0.

There are known issues with official release 0.8.0 of Freemind and Java 6.

  • Encrypted nodes will wipe out your map when trying to save it to disk.
  • Preferences dialog can not be opened

Stick to Java 5 (alias 1.5.x) (see bug report)

Possible cause and work-around for problem of Preferences dialog: extended desktop (second monitor). If you extend your desktop on to a second monitor and use FreeMind on that monitor, when you close (save?) the Preferences dialog, its dialog is saved to the extended desktop location. The next time you use FreeMind without using the 2nd monitor, the Preferences dialog will not be visible. I had this problem and was able to correct it by moving the dialog back to the main monitor and saving again (note that the virtual position of the 2nd monitor relative to the main monitor is important for finding the dialog again). -RyanC, 7-Apr-08

What is a mirror?

A mirror is one of the SourceForge sites from which you can download FreeMind. To download FreeMind, choose any mirror; you would prefer a mirror geographically closer to the place where you live. If you experience problems with one mirror, try another.

I run 'freemind.bat' and get an error message

If you get 

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: java/util/logging/Logger 
at freemind.main.FreeMind.getLogger<FreeMind.java:643>at
    freemind.main.FreeMind.<init<FreeMind.java:109> 
at freemind.main.FreeMind.main<FreeMind.java:647>

then the Java Virtual Machine found on your system is of version 1.3 or below. Try 

java -version

to verify this. This happens, when you install Oracle for instance. Please, make sure, that your latest Java Virtual Machine is found when you type "java -version" by deinstalling java1.3 for example.

USB Portable FreeMind

Just add the following Java option in the freemind.bat or freemind.sh and everything is contained on the USB stick:

-Duser.home=.[\<subdirectory, if needed>]

As an example see the new content of my BAT-file, which looks like:

@echo off java -Duser.home=. -cp lib\freemind.jar;lib\commons-lang-2.0.jar;lib\forms-1.0.5.jar;lib\jibx\jibx-run.jar;lib\jibx\xpp3.jar;lib\bindings.jar freemind.main.FreeMindStarter

This lets FM create and use the subfolder .freemind in the location of the freemind.bat.

As we know, USB flash drives support only limited number of writes. It means that reliability of such device drops down as time advances. Freemind, by default, saves your open maps every minute to .freemind dir which is in this case on the flash drive. If you aren't too paranoid you can avoid this by setting autosave dir to tmp dir of your OS. Freemind will automatically delete autosaves on exit so your precious data won't be left on a host machine. Go to Tools->Preferences->Path to automatic saves and set it to 'default'. Freemind will understand this on Windows probably as c:\windows\temp, Linux - /tmp or /var/tmp.

That's it and have fun!

What if the command.com window opened by FreeMind.bat annoys me?

You can force the window not to show by having the batch file not to hold the handle to the java runtime. Effectively the command prompt is displaying command line output from java application, FreeMind, while waiting for the application to terminate before it closes. You can solve this by using javaw to suppress the command line output and forcing the command prompt to start a new process for java. Try editing the FreeMind.bat to change java -cp lib\freemind.jar;... with START "" javaw. The line becomes something like START "" javaw -cp lib\freemind.jar;...

If that approach does not successfully hide the window, try this approach: 1. Copy the following script to a text file, 2. Modify the java directory ("C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_13\bin\java") to match the location of yours, 3. Save the file with a .vbs extension (i.e. FreeMind.vbs), and 4. Double-click the file.

Dim objShell
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
objShell.Run Chr(34) & "C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_13\bin\java" & Chr(34) & " -cp lib\freemind.jar;lib\ant\lib\jaxb-api.jar;lib\ant\lib\jaxb-impl.jar;lib\ant\lib\jaxb-libs.jar;lib\ant\lib\namespace.jar;lib\ant\lib\relaxngDatatype.jar;lib\ant\lib\xsdlib.jar;lib\ant\lib\jax-qname.jar;lib\ant\lib\sax.jar;lib\ant\lib\dom.jar freemind.main.FreeMind", 0, False
Set objShell = Nothing

Troubleshooting

Before you start asking questions on the forum, it's a good idea to check if your problem is not already described, together with a resolution:

  • either on this page,
  • or in the Forums, there is a search function (check the SourceForge menu 'Forums → Search'),
  • or even in the Trackers, where you can find already reported problems.

If this doesn't help, then sample the following information (under Windows, check the specific pages for other OS's) and create a Help forum topic (if you're not sure) or bug tracker item (if you're quite sure that it's a bug in FreeMind) with it:

  • OS version (e.g. Win XP with(out) SP2 or 3)
  • Java version (the output of java -version called from the command line, example as follows)
C:\Users\lostuser>java -version
java version "1.5.0_15"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_15-b04)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_15-b04, mixed mode, sharing)
  • FreeMind version (e.g. FreeMind 0.9.0.Beta20, installed from FreeMind-Windows-Installer-0.9.0_Beta_20-max.exe)
  • Content of the logfile %USERPROFILE%\.freemind\log.0 after you've done the action making problems.
  • It's also a good idea to open a command line, go to FreeMind's base directory, in general with cd %ProgramFiles%\freemind, and start FreeMind from there, using the freemind.bat file, and check what happens in the console. Most content is generally similar to the above logfile, but not if FreeMind doesn't even start, for some reason (e.g. Java missing).
  • Check if your problem also appears with other Java programs, we generally recommend JEdit because it uses the same GUI type (called Swing) as FreeMind.
Note
under Windows XP/Vista, you can open a command line (also called a console) by pressing the keys Win+R (like Run), type cmd and press enter.

Using

To add a new concept

A new concept is referred to as a "node." Use the "Insert" key on PCs to add a new node. MAC users need to set a different key. Nodes are not limited to just concepts. They can also include sentences, paragraphs or even short articles.

Is there an undo feature in FreeMind?

Starting with FreeMind 0.8, there is an undo and redo feature.

If you are using 0.7, then use the following tips to prevent data loss:

  • Use FreeMind's autosave-feature
This feature is enabled by default... auto saved files will be found in ~/.freemind/
  • Install a clipboard manager, which will make all elements, which you cut from FreeMind, available in its history. A freeware example of a clipboard manager for MS Windows is Yankee Clipper.

How much memory do I need?

Keywords: RAM.

Experience shows that 64 MB is not sufficient, while 128 MB is already enough, provided that you do not run another Java application. Correct me if I'm wrong. I am using FreeMind on Windows 95 + 128 MB without any problems.

Running FreeMind 0.8RC5 on Windows 95 with 64 MB and Java 1.4.0 is possible and the response time is in acceptable limits. -- Stefano 02:01, 11 Jul 2005 (PDT)

Running FreeMind 0.7.1 on Debian Linux and Java 1.4.2.03 (j2sdk1.4) with my Omnibook 800 laptop (78 MB RAM, P166) just fine. I haven't tried any big projects with it yet, but so far it's very responsive. --Kyle 09:14, 30 Jan 2006 (PST)

To move a node to the other side of root or re-arrange nodes

Drag the node onto root and you see one half of root getting gray. Move the node to the other half and this half gets gray. Just drop the node on the side you want to have it. As of version 0.9.0 you can also use Ctrl + ← and Ctrl + → to move a node in the desired direction (not only to change the side with respect to root, try it out; Ctrl + ↑ and Ctrl + ↓ do work as well). For Mac users, it's Command+← and Command+→ respectively.

If you want to rearrange the nodes on your map using your mouse, you should not move the nodes around using the small "handle" appearing when your pointer hovers over the node, but you should grab the node itself, move it around and see how it throws a shadow upon the place it'll land once you release the mouse button. If you've already messed up your map, select the culprit nodes and reset their position using the menu Format → Reset Position.

The "handle" will only move around the node without changing its position in relation to the other nodes.

To create a graphical link

  1. Go to the source node.
  2. Mark it with the mouse.
  3. Press the left mouse button.
  4. Hold this button.
  5. Press Ctrl+Shift buttons.
  6. Continue to hold all these buttons.
  7. Go to the destination node.
  8. Release the mouse button, first.
  9. Then release the keyboard buttons.

You have your link. Alternatively, drag'n drop holding right mouse button.

To remove a graphical link

  1. Right-Click on the curved arrow of the graphical link (Mac users, press Control and click to see the options menu)
  2. Choose "Remove Arrow Link" from the pop-up menu

(Left-clicking on a graphical link does nothing)

To remove a local link

  1. Select the node with the link, and press Ctrl+K ("edit link") (Command+K in Mac).
  2. In the "Edit hyperlink manually..." dialog that appears, clear the contents of the text field, then click OK.

To add user icons to FreeMind

Currently, adding user Icons is not possible. BUT you can add an inline images to any node. Use the following code example: 

<html><img src="http://www.stumbleupon.com/pics/me.jpg">

in a FreeMind node. This should also work with local files using "file://" instead of "http://".

However if you want to change the source code there is a way to add your own icons. You have to modify the “freemind.jar” file. (By default you can find it under “C:\Program Files\FreeMind\lib”) You can modify a .jar file easily with WinRAR. If you have WinRAR installed on your computer just right click the file you want to modify and choose Open With WinRAR.

  • 1. Add your own icons: Use the button Add in WinRAR GUI to add your icons to “freemind.jar\images\icons”
  • 2. Change file “freemind.properties”: find row that starts with “icons.list=” and add your icon names
  • 3. Change file “Resources_xx.properties”: where xx is your local language. Add rows icon_iconName = iconDescription, where iconName is the name of your icon and iconDescription the text you want to see on the tooltip of your icon

To open links in only one browser window, rather than several.

To our knowledge this is not possible at the moment.

Firefox (old) allows this option. From the menu, select 1) Tools > Options > 2) Click Advanced 3) Toggle Tabbed Browsing 4) Select to open links from other apps in ...a new tab in the most recent window.

Firefox (1.5.0.12) allows this option. From the menu, select 1) Edit > Preferences > 2) Click Tabs 3) Select to open links from other apps in ...a new tab in the most recent window.


A possible Work Around: There is a way to do this if you use the Firefox browser instead of Internet Explorer, provided you install the Firefox extension called Single Window (available from here). Using this extension, every time you click on an external web link on a mind map, it will open the relevant page in a new tab in an existing Firefox window, rather than a new browser window. I have found this to be a much easier way to navigate the pages opened. I have only tried this with mm files opened from the file system at the moment (i.e. not served from a web server in the browser applet).

To open external web links in a new tabs in Firefox follow this tip (works both for Linux and Windows). You have to add a line in your user.js file and install Tabbrowser extensions.

=== Is it difficult to provide FreeMind with Java Webstart?=== Well, it's not that easy. Joerg Mueller succeeded in doing just that and has sent his source code to Daniel Polansky, who did not succeed in getting it running; he did not consider that a high priority. What is important is that Microsoft Windows users have a convenient installer, and the users of the other operating systems are already used to not so convenient methods; the installation is pretty straightforward anyway.

To create PDF out of FreeMind's mind map

To create pdf out of FreeMind's mind map, you've got several options.

  • Use File/Export/As PDF...
  • Create DocBook, then pdf. Use XSLT transformations sheets from Christoph Rissner to convert FreeMind's mind map to Mind Manager's mind map, then to DocBook, and create pdf from that DocBook. You can read more on that on Abgeschlossene Arbeiten > Mind Maps.
  • Print to pdf using a pdf printer driver.
    • Use open source PDFCreator. It uses Ghostscript as its backend.
  • Print to pdf using Acrobat's Distiller. Provided that you have full version of Adobe Acrobat installed (not just reader), you can print to a pdf using the Distiller or Writer options in your printer list. Make sure you check the "fit to one page" option under File > Page Setup. Also, make sure you set antialias to all under edit > preferences. This will make it look crisper. The only downside to this option is that it doesn't do the icons very well.
  • First print to postscript, then convert to pdf.
    • In Linux, create postscript by printing to a file using a postscript printer, and convert the postscript file to pdf afterwards, by using the shell-command ps2pdf or using Ghostscript.
    • In Windows, install any postscript color printer (Like AppleColor 600) to print to a file. When printing to that printer, choose a folder and a file that ends with .ps. Then, open that *.ps with gsview and choose File/Convert to PDF (let the program choose it all). Then save the file with the same name, but ending with .pdf. That's all. You might need to read the help files to tune it all up (only once).
  • Export FreeMind's mind map to HTML, paste it into Microsoft Word, format it as you see fit, and convert it to pdf using the techniques decribed above.

To create Encapsulated PostScript (eps, epsi) out of FreeMind's mind map (for LaTex)

  • Via PNG (Tested on ubuntu 10.04)
    • Export your mind map as *.png
    • Install Package sam2p
    • Convert png to eps: sam2p file.png file.eps
  • Via PostScript (Tested on ubuntu 10.04)
    • Print to file.ps using a PostScript printer
    • Install package ghostscript
    • Convert to epsi with: ps2epsi file.ps (This does not always work)
    • Now you have file.epsi

To convert mind maps between FreeMind and MindManager

See Import and export

Who is the development team of FreeMind?

Daniel Polansky: the director of FreeMind is Daniel Polansky, i.e. me. The label ``director" is not quite appropriate; ``parliament" would be better. I test new versions, give advice, sometimes act in the name of FreeMind, forbid versions to be released because of insufficient quality, and approve them when they're ready. Also, I set up barriers for new directions.

The main actor on the scene is Christian Foltin. We use the label ``code master" to denote his role, and also ``manager". He does most of the work and decides which code changes are acceptable what concerns the quality of code. He takes care of mergers. Also, he coordinates the developers.

An important developer is Dimitri Polivaev.

To have brainstorm-like mode similar to one found in MindManager.

Did you notice you can hit Enter and Shift-Enter to create sibling nodes? It is not exactly the behavior of brainstorm mode of MindManager, but still close to it.

What operating systems does FreeMind successfully run on?

  • Microsoft Windows. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP (SP1 & SP2), Windows 2003 Server, Windows Vista, Windows 7, ....
  • Linux. Mandrake 9.2 and 10, RedHat Pro WS 3, RedHat Enterprise Linux WS 4, Fedora Core 2, Fedora 8 & 9, SuSE (8.2 using the RPM for 9.0, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 10.0, 10.2), Ubuntu (Warty, Hardy, Intrepid Ibis), Debian (sarge, etch, wheezy, jessie, sid), Slackware 9.1, Gentoo, Mepis 3.3.1, Mepis 3.4-2.rc1, PCLinuxOS 2010. BSD. FreeBSD (5.2.1, 5.4, 6.1), Mac OS X (10.2.8, 10.3, 10.4.4, 10.4.8, 10.4.11)
  • Other. OS/2, Solaris 9 and 10.

Keywords: platforms.

Is there a PDA-Version, e.g. for Palm or Pocket PC?

On PDA, you can use FreeMindPDA. It uses cross-platform SuperWaba Open Source SDK. However, it does not use mind map view, but rather plain tree view; it is not a proper FreeMind version in that sense. See also FreeMind and PDA. For an iPhone version of FreeMind that can read small FreeMind mind maps, see Platform.

What is the largest size mindmap I can edit with FreeMind?

In principle, there are no built-in limits. Practically, the maximum reported size is 11 MB at a map with 22,000 nodes; after exporting to HTML and pasting to Microsoft Word, the very same content had 15.6 MB, with 1500 pages. For a better practical estimation, experimental tests are needed, as the maximum given so far is only a lower bound on practical limits.

I've been appending daily notes to a single mind-map file continually for many months on a 3 GHz Pentium 4 with 2 GB RAM running windowsXP. The file has grown to about half a megabyte, 420K, and there is a noticable difference in Freemind's responsiveness dealing with it, but it still works for me.

How can I keep FreeMind from opening the last file from the last session?

One way is to disable the changing of the file "auto.properties" (which is in the same folder as user.properties). Be aware that the menu "Edit -> Preferences" will not change anything any more than!
To do that go to the file auto.properties and delete everything behind "onStartIfNotSpecified=" in that line. Now set the file "auto.properties" to read-only.

Another way is to change the auto.properties on the fly during startup. Copy the next lines of code into a batch-file and put this into the same directory as freemind.exe. This batchfile will add an extra line to the auto.properties file. In fact, it does the same as the above, but it still enables you to change the properties. 

@echo off
echo onStartIfNotSpecified= >> "%USERPROFILE%\.freemind\auto.properties"
call .\freemind.exe

To change the fill color on bubbles.

There's an icon for it at the main toolbar. Additionally, you can find it in the popup menu at Node > Style > Cloud color.

To remove a cloud

Press Ctrl+Shift+B to toggle clouds.

To search in FreeMind

Keywords: find. Press Ctrl + F. For finding next occurrence, press Ctrl + G. Searching is restricted to the descendants of the node selected when pressing Ctrl + F. The search is a breadth-first search, first finding occurrences in the nodes closer to the starting node.

===To move nodes around=== To move them up and down, use ctrl + up and down arrows. To move them wherever you want, use drag'n drop with mouse. Keywords: move around, reorganize.

What does antialias mean in FreeMind preferences?

To antialias means to make fonts or curves look smooth by drawing additional pixels with in-between color. See also wikipedia on antialiasing.

By default, FreeMind antialiases edges only. FreeMind can also antialias text, but with the current state of the technology, it does not look good enough. At least, new Java RE 1.5.0 has better antialiasing of text than Java RE 1.4.x. Also, it is possible to set the whole application to antialiasing, including the menus and editing box; by using the command line option -Dswing.aatext=true of Java 1.5.0. Unfortunately, this is not available if you're using FreeMind.exe to launch FreeMind.

What kind of encryption is used?

See Encryption.

Reminders don't work when I start a map. The PDF-Export is not present. What's happening?

There, the plugins (not only the PDF/SVG one) appear only if you start FreeMind from the directory where it has been installed. Especially if you start FreeMind by double-clicking on a FreeMind file (.mm file), this is not the case. So, use your icon and choose open to open your file.

Customizing FreeMind

How do I add a new keyboard shortcut

To add a new keyboard shortcut, say for "Change node background color", open the file mindmap_menus.xml (in freemind.jar) and search for "background", say.

You'll find 

  <menu_action field="nodeColor" key_ref="keystroke_node_color"/>
  <menu_action field="nodeColorBlend" key_ref="keystroke_node_color_blend"/>
  <menu_action field="nodeBackgroundColor"/>
  <menu_action field="removeNodeBackgroundColor"/>
</menu_category>

Here, you add a new keyboard ref attribute like: 

  <menu_action field="nodeColor" key_ref="keystroke_node_color"/>
  <menu_action field="nodeColorBlend" key_ref="keystroke_node_color_blend"/>
  <menu_action field="nodeBackgroundColor" key_ref="keystroke_node_background_color"/>
  <menu_action field="removeNodeBackgroundColor"/>
</menu_category>

Open the file freemind.properties and add a line like 

#
keystroke_node_color = alt F
keystroke_node_color_blend = alt B
keystroke_edge_color = alt E
keystroke_node_background_color=alt N

But you have to search for free keys...

To set expert settings

Most of expert settings are stored in the user.properties file.

To use another browser

If you want to use another browser, edit the user.properties file and change the following property according to your operation system: 

default_browser_command_windows_nt 
default_browser_command_windows_9x 
default_browser_command_mac 
default_browser_command_other_os

You have to write something like 

default_browser_command_windows_nt = C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe "{0}"

...

To change language

Lydia

language= ja 

language = ja

Don't forget to remove the # character. Restart FreeMind and you have changed the language to German. See also the list of available languages.

To set a different key for new child node on Mac computers

NOTE: The latest version of Freemind now sets the "tab" key as the default key for inserting a new node on a mac. Unfortunately, this is not documented in an obvious place. If you right or control click on a node you see a menu that does tell you the Tab shortcut for creating a child node but this is easily missed.

In a manner similar to changing the language, replace 

#keystroke_add_child = INSERT

with 

keystroke_add_child = control shift ENTER

in the file user.properties. Pay attention that you write the key code ENTER in capital letters.

N.B. Setting the ADD CHILD MAC is not enough, ADD CHILD must also be set (at least with Beta 9 on Leopard)

This can also be done via the Freemind GUI by selecting Tools/Preferences/Keystrokes instead of editing the properties file.

The command ("Apple") key can be referred to as "meta" in these keystroke sequences - in case you were wondering.

There is no shortcut to insert a note. Why?

There is no shortcut on purpose, as this action does not come with undo.

If you want to have this shortcut, you can download the sources, patch NodeNote.xml such that it contains a key_stroke="alt N" in the first lines as here:


<plugin_action documentation="%accessories/plugins/NodeNote.properties_documentation" name="%accessories/plugins/NodeNote.properties_name" base="freemind.extensions.NodeHookAdapter" key_stroke="alt N" icon_path="accessories/plugins/icons/knotes.png" label="accessories/plugins/NodeNote.properties" class_name="accessories.plugins.NodeNote" instanciation="Once">


compile and you are done. BUT REMEMBER: Pressing your key on a node, that already contains a note, makes this note to remove WITHOUT UNDO.

At your own risk, Chris


Using physical styles (or patterns)

Physical styles and patterns are the same and can be compared to "styles" in a text writer: you define a set of styling attributes, give this set a name, and can then assign the style or pattern to different nodes in the same way.

The patterns are defined in the file patterns.xml placed in the FreeMind user directory. In Windows, that file is C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\.freemind\patterns.xml; under Linux, it's ~/.freemind/patterns.xml. The generic format of this file is the following: 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<patterns>
 <pattern name="Pattern1">
  [...pattern properties...]
 </pattern>
 <pattern name="Pattern2">
  [...pattern properties...]
 </pattern>
 [...more patterns...]
</patterns>

As you can see from above, you need to give each pattern a unique name, and then you need to assign pattern properties. Each pattern property is of the form <pattern_property_name value="property_value"/>, or <pattern_property_name/>, and each property stands for a different format parameter. Where the property is listed without value attribute, the corresponding format is reset to its default value. The following property names are possible:

  • pattern_node_background_color
  • pattern_node_color
  • pattern_node_style
  • pattern_node_text
  • pattern_node_font_name
  • pattern_node_font_bold
  • pattern_node_font_italic
  • pattern_node_font_size
  • pattern_icon
  • pattern_edge_color
  • pattern_edge_style
  • pattern_edge_width
  • pattern_child

Allowed values

For colors, the format of the value is "#RRGGBB", where RR, GG, BB are the hexadecimal values of the red, green, blue components of a color, e.g. "#B3B95C".

pattern_icon can take one of the following values:

  • help
  • messagebox_warning
  • idea
  • button_ok
  • button_cancel
  • full-1
  • full-2
  • full-3
  • full-4
  • full-5
  • full-6
  • full-7
  • back
  • forward
  • attach
  • ksmiletris
  • smily_bad
  • clanbomber
  • desktop_new
  • flag
  • gohome
  • kaddressbook
  • knotify
  • korn
  • Mail
  • password
  • pencil
  • stop
  • wizard
  • xmag
  • bell
  • bookmark
  • penguin
  • licq
TODO
Add more explanations about the possible values and exact impact for each property.

Example(s)

An example of a pattern is therefore: 

<pattern name="Blue with edges and icon">
 <pattern_node_background_color/>
 <pattern_node_color value="#000099"/>
 <pattern_node_style/>
 <pattern_icon value="flag"/>
 <pattern_edge_color value="#009999"/>
 <pattern_edge_style/>
 <pattern_edge_width value="4"/>
</pattern>

This information and more can be discovered by opening any .mm file in a text or XML editor. You can usually search for the text in an element to find the example of what you want to learn how to do.

Note
the complete list of pattern properties can be found in the source code, in the file freemind/freemind_actions.xsd (search for pattern_), and the list of icons in the file freemind/modes/MindIcon.java (search for mAllIconNames.add).

Can one make a script to run filters according to the attributes of selected nodes

I'm looking for a way to run filters more intuitively by making the filter by way of clicking on the attributes and icons in nodes on the mind map. Is this possible. Or i guess more simply to make a script that will run a selected filter (However this would be time consuming to do that for many nodes) Any suggestions?

Mind maps on web pages with FreeMind's applet

To get FreeMind's applet working.

If you experience problems viewing a mind map published by someone else, the most common problem is that you have to use Java >= 1.4 in your browser. Check this using the "About plugins" section of your browser (or a similar place). If you have Java >= 1.4 installed and still experiencing problems check out Internet Explorer's settings by selecting Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Java and make sure ``Use Java2" is enabled.

To present your mind map on the web

Use FreeMind's browser applet. The following document (thanks to Bob) explains what to do to have a complete testing environment for your applet.

Quick Java Applet instructions if you are already a code wiz

<APPLET CODE="freemind.main.FreeMindApplet.class" ARCHIVE="freemindbrowser.jar" 
WIDTH="100%" HEIGHT="80%">
<PARAM NAME="type" VALUE="application/x-java-applet;version=1.4">
<PARAM NAME="scriptable" VALUE="false">
<PARAM NAME="toolbarVisible" VALUE="true">
<\!--        ^ this has no effect on my pc -->
<PARAM NAME="modes" VALUE="freemind.modes.browsemode.BrowseMode">
<PARAM NAME="browsemode_initial_map" VALUE="http://www.osde.info/osde.mm">
<\!--                                       ^ Put the FULL path to your map here  -->
<param NAME="initial_mode" VALUE="Browse">
<param NAME="selection_method" VALUE="selection_method_direct">
</APPLET>

In some cases, it may be necessary to set the ARCHIVE property to also use the Full Path to the .jar file. In the above example, the initial APPLET element would appear as: 

<APPLET CODE="freemind.main.FreeMindApplet.class" 
ARCHIVE="http://www.exmaple.com/freemindbrowser.jar" WIDTH="100%" HEIGHT="80%">

The most recent version of above source and freemindbrowser.jar are contained in the freemindbrowser.zip-Archive, which you can get from the sourceforge-site.

To view the toolbar automatically after the applet starts

It is necessary to edit the html starter of the applet and change the corresponding property. That is, set toolbarVisible=true. More precisely, add a tag 

<PARAM NAME="toolbarVisible" VALUE="true">

to freemindbrowser.html or whatever name you have changed the file to.

Is there a list of names and values and functions of all params for the applet?

No. Theoretically, all parameters found in user.properties can be used as parameters of the applet.


Is it possible to change or edit the map through an applet?

No. There is no applet for editing mind maps; only for viewing.

My document isn't opened by the applet

The URL of the document *must* end with .mm. If it doesn't the document opens in a new browser window. The trick I use is to append a dummy parameter like in this example: 

  http://myserver/mypath/mydoc?e=.mm

This trick is specially useful for dynamic documents. (this is an opinion only. Some people, like Garito, thinks in another way)

Java Applet for XHTML

The same Freemind Browser can be used but instead of using the 'applet' element, the 'object' element can be used instead. Using Shayne Steele's approach, the following code can be used for placing a file called Textbook.mm that is located in http://example.com/freemind/ (along with the freemindbrowser.jar file): 

<!--[if !IE]-->
<object classid="java:freemind.main.FreeMindApplet.class"
      type="application/x-java-applet"
      archive="http://example.com/freemind/freemindbrowser.jar"
      width="450" height="300">
   <param name="scriptable" value="false" />
   <param name="modes" value="freemind.modes.browsemode.BrowseMode" />
   <param name="browsemode_initial_map" value="http://example.com/freemind/Textbook.mm" />
   <param name="initial_mode" value="Browse" />
   <param name="selection_method" value="selection_method_direct" />
<!-- <![endif]-->
   <object classid="clsid:8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93"
         codebase="http://java.sun.com/update/1.5.0/jinstall-1_5_0-windows-i586.cab"
         height="300" width="450">
      <param name="code" value="freemind.main.FreeMindApplet" />
      <param name="archive" value="http://example.com/freemind/freemindbrowser.jar" />
      <param name="scriptable" value="false" />
      <param name="modes" value="freemind.modes.browsemode.BrowseMode" />
      <param name="browsemode_initial_map" value="http://example.com/freemind/Textbook.mm" />
      <param name="initial_mode" value="Browse" />
      <param name="selection_method" value="selection_method_direct" />
      <strong>
        This browser does not have a Java Plug-in.
      </strong>
      <br />
      <a href="http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/downloads/index.html">
        Get the latest Java Plug-in here.
      </a>
   </object>
<!--[if !IE]>-->
</object>
<!-- <![endif]-->

It works and it is valid markup. If placing in an HTML file, use '>' instead of ' />' for the param element ending.

Workarounds in FreeMind

FreeMind behaves strange or crashes. What can I do?

First try reinstalling both Java (mostly the latest version is best) and Freemind. Often this solves problems. One of the problems solved in this way was:

My computer crashes, or more precisely locks, when I click on a link in FreeMind, using J2RE 1.4.2_03 on Windows 98. Reinstalling helped. In retrospect, I think what broke it was that I renamed the J2RE directory to something easier to write in the bat file path statement. Broke it.

When I drag files into the FreeMind window, FreeMind slows down or I get a mind map of the file system

This is a bug which is a least present on FreeMind 7.2 beta and lower on Windows. I only know of a workaround for this: Go to the user.properties and delete ",freemind.modes.filemode.FileMode". This disables the file mode of FreeMind.

Changing the key bindings in user.properties does not work

It seems that capitalization IS important in the keybindings. I wrote "enter" and it didn't work. I changed it to "ENTER" and it worked! (FreeMind 7.2 beta)

FreeMind fails to work with or, cannot export large maps

When FreeMind fails to work with big maps, you may do the following.

Assign more memory to the Java virtual machine as a workaround by editing the launching script. Edit freemind.bat or Freemind.sh and add a -XmxMEM parameter to the java command line at the end of the script, like java -Xmx512m ... for 512 megabytes maximum memory and java -Xmx768m ... for 768 megabytes maximum memory. Believing the manual of Java, the default is 64 MB and the maximum is slightly less than 2000 on an x86 processor, which should be enough.

Beware that exporting may still take a while. For instance, it may take 11 minutes to export a mind map with 740 nodes to JPEG.

On OS X: Edit the Info.plist file /Applications/Mac_OS_X_Freemind-0_8_1/FreeMind.app/Contents/Info.plist and add the following key to the
<key>Java</key>
<dict>
section:
<key>VMOptions</key>
<string>-Xmx1024m</string>

Plugins not found when FreeMind 0.8 starts by double-clicking a FreeMind mind map

The following Microsoft Windows laucher fixes the problem that plugins were not found when FreeMind was started by double-clicking a FreeMind mind map. Download the patch with fixed Windows launcher, and replace Freemind.exe found in C:\Program Files\FreeMind with the one found in the patch, given you are in Windows. Backing up the original Freemind.exe is advisable.

Freemind 0.9.0RC4 can't quit without saving

I try to quit without saving (respond "No" to question) and it just goes back to map. Ended task with Task Manager on Windows and got same prompt and goes back to map again. Ending task a second time with Task Manager finally kills the program.

Using HTML in long nodes

What HTML tags does FreeMind support?

FreeMind supports basic HTML in its nodes. For HTML to take effect, a node must start with "<html>". What HTML is supported depends on the Java virtual machine. Among others, users have reported the following uses: 

<html><p style="background-color:yellow">the node text</p>

<html><p align="center">the node <br> text</p>

To embed, or more precisely link, images into FreeMind.

You can link images into FreeMind using context menu of a node, accessed using right click (on MAC OS X Panther use Control click). Or type the following: 

<html><img src="image.jpg"></html>

where image.jpg is the reference to an image.

To put the contents of a Microsoft Word document into FreeMind.

  • First paste the Word document into Microsoft FrontPage.
  • Delete the images afterwards as FreeMind does not support them.
  • Remove the <head> ... </head> in the source text view in FrontPage.
  • But leave the <html>! The node needs to start with that.
  • Replace <body> with <body width=600> or similar width specification.
  • Finally, paste the HTML text as a long node into FreeMind.

To have tables in FreeMind

If you have Microsoft Frontpage available, it is convenient to create and edit HTML content there and paste it to and from FreeMind. Beware that the html code has to start with <html>. This way, you can conveniently create tables using the drawing tools of Frontpage. You can create formatted text this way as well; in that case, beware to set <body width=600> or similar. However, FreeMind does not interpret all HTML; especially, it does not interpret inline CSS styling so you have to use hard formatting instead.

If you want the table borders to have a nice two dimensional look rather than bevelled, start the HTML as follows. 

<html>
<head>
<style> td  { border-style: solid } table { border-style: solid } </style>
</head>

Generating mind maps programmatically

To insert a newline into a node

Insert &#xa; instead of plain newline. Example of a map with three newlines: 

<map version="0.7.1">
<node TEXT="New Mindmap">
<node TEXT="A&#xa;B&#xa;C&#xa;D" POSITION="right"/>
</node>
</map>

To use unicode characters in the node text

FreeMind understands and uses &#xnn;, where nn is equivalent to the hexadecimal number representing the character. It does not understand &#nnn;, where nnn is decimal number. An example of a map containing AretA?A?A?A© follows. 

<map version="0.7.1">
<node TEXT="Aret&#xe9;"/>
</map>

FreeMind on Microsoft Windows

How do I install a test version of FreeMind?

Just unzip the package to the folder "C:\Program Files\FreeMind". That completes the "installation". You can start it by running freemind.exe (or freemind.bat if the exe does not exist). You can find test versions here.

FreeMind does not seem to be affected by the things I edit in the user.properties. Why?

See user.properties. slow computer solutions

FreeMind starts and reacts so slow. Why? How to resolve?

This seems to be an effect of the connection between Java and MS DirectX. You can deactivate the usage of DirectX for Freemind by editing the Freemind.bat file in your FreeMind directory.

Add the parameter 

-Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true

before the final expression freemind.main.FreeMind.

Of course, now you have to use Freemind.bat to start the program instead of executing Freemind.exe. Do not forget to update file associations as well: Windows File Associations


SlickRun

On Windows, if the application launcher utility SlickRun is running at the same time as FreeMind, it causes FreeMind to (for some reason) respond very slowly. Possible workarounds:

  • Move FreeMind and SlickRun onto different monitors (on a multi-monitor system).
  • Close SlickRun while FreeMind is running.

File Operations are slow

With Java6 Update2 you will probably notice this bug. Sun is working on it. Perhaps, you can downgrade to Java6 Update1 or Java5 in the meantime.

To create a screenshot of FreeMind and paste it into Microsoft Word or Microsoft Powerpoint

To take a screenshot of your whole windows screen into clipboard, press Ctrl + Print Screen. To take a screenshot of the active window only into clipboard, press Alt + Print Screen. Select your Word or Powerpoint document and press Ctrl + V. On German keyboard, the key PrintScreen has the label "Druck". However, such a screenshot also contains FreeMind's window frame, not just the map contents. In Microsoft Word and Microsoft Powerpoint, this can be solved by cropping the screenshot; the cropping tool can be found in Picture toolbar..

To export a map to Microsoft Powerpoint

There's no elegant way to export a map to PowerPoint. One option is to take a screenshot, and paste it into Powerpoint. PowerPoint supports graphic file insertion, so another option is upgrading to a more recent version of FreeMind that supports JPEG export.

One another solution is by using a Flash plugin:

1. Insert a control "Shockwave Flash Object" with the Control toolbar (go to display/toolbar/customise if not available).

2. Activate the propeties window by double clicking on the rectangle of the object

3. Click on the custom "property"

4. On the new opened window set the "movie URL" to the full path of the plugin (i.e: c:\path\visorFreemind.swf)

5. Set the "base URL" to the name of your freemind file (i.e.: index.mm)

6. Start your diaporama and you will see the cross inside the rectangle replaced by your freemind map


In PowerPoint 2007 --HugoContreras 17:41, 5 Dec 2009 (UTC)

4. On the new opened window set the property "movie" to visorFreemind.swf?xml_path=index.mm.

5. Set the property "Play" to true. Set the property "EmbedMovie" to true.

Save ppt file in the same location that visorFreemind.swf and index.mm


If not successfull with those explanation, you will find a more complete information at the following address: FlashGeek

Or you can export to RTF using a XSLT like this: 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>

<xsl:stylesheet version="1.0" xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform">

<xsl:template match="/">{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252
  {\fonttbl
    {\f1\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq0 Arial;}
  }
  {\colortbl;
    \red0\green0\blue0;
  }
  {\stylesheet
    {\s1\qc\f1\fs44\ppscheme-3\lang1110\level1 heading 1;}
    {\s2\li270\fi-270\f1\fs32\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level2 heading 2;}
    {\s3\li585\fi-225\f1\fs28\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level3 heading 3;}
    {\s4\li900\fi-180\f1\fs24\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level4 heading 4;}
    {\s5\li1260\fi-180\f1\fs20\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level5 heading 5;}
    {\s6\li1620\fi-180\f1\fs20\ppscheme-1\lang1110\level6 heading 6;}
  }
  <xsl:apply-templates />
}
</xsl:template>

<xsl:template match="node">
\pard\plain\ltrpar\s1\qc\f1\fs44\ppscheme-3\lang1110{\f1 
                                                   <xsl:value-of select="@TEXT"/>\par}
  <xsl:for-each select="child::node">
\pard\plain\ltrpar\s2\li270\fi-270\f1\fs32\ppscheme-1\lang1110\li0\fi0\qc{\f1 
                                                   <xsl:value-of select="@TEXT"/>\par}
  </xsl:for-each>
  <xsl:apply-templates select="node" />
</xsl:template>

</xsl:stylesheet>

and then open it using PowerPoint.

To export / import a map to Microsoft Project

See Import and export

FreeMind on Mac OS X

See MacOS.

Using a default Save/Open Directory for FreeMind on Mac OS X

This is a workaround that works for me. My biggest pain was navigating to my Maps directory with FreeMind everytime I wanted to save a new, or open an existing map. My Maps directory is ~/Documents/Maps. Here's the process to do so:

  • Copy your existing .freemind directory from ~ to ~/Documents/Maps or wherever you want your default Map save directory to be.
  • Go to /Applications/FreeMind.app -- using Finder.
  • Use Finder to Show Contents of the FreeMind App
  • Navigate to Contents/MacOS
  • Rename the "JavaApplicationStub" to "JavaApplicationStub.real"
  • Create an executable shellscript with the content below:
#!/bin/sh
export HOME=$HOME/Documents/Maps

logger "=================  Running FreeMind with new home"


exec /Applications/FreeMind.app/Contents/MacOS/JavaApplicationStub.real
  • Chmod +x on the shellscript (from Terminal)



Done. You've now got a default save directory and open directory. This was a huge timesaver, evertime I fire up FreeMind, it saves me a lot of navigation and time.

FreeMind on Linux and other UNIX-like systems

Go to the specific page FreeMind on Linux.

Misc

language = ja

Is FreeMind mind mapping software?

The term mind mapping is related to british psychologist Tony Buzan. In Buzan's context, mind map is a tree with many colors, pictures and personal expression. FreeMind is not really mind mapping software in the sense of Tony Buzan, nevertheless, one would say that FreeMind belongs to the class of so called mind mapping software.

Some of members of that class come pretty close to Buzan. Have a look at the site of first class commercial mind mapping software MindManager. You may also want to see examples of mind maps in Buzan's sense.

To spell FreeMind correctly.

"FreeMind", with a capital M.

Where can I find a quick reference list of default keyboard shortcuts for the Windows 0.7.1 version?

See Keyboard shortcuts.

To suggest new enhancements of FreeMind

Keywords: additional features, additional functions. At FreeMind's project page, you can submit Requests for Enhancements (RFEs).


Where can I make a monetary donation to FreeMind?

Currently, we do not accept any monetary donations. --Danielpolansky 00:32, 21 Nov 2005 (PST)

This FAQ

I have a question not listed here, what should I do?

See Support.

To edit this FAQ

Edit this page like any other wiki page (click edit or press alt-E). When adding a question to the talk page, imitate the format of already existing questions.

Where can I practice editing pages on this Wiki?

Click on this link and just hit the edit button on the lower right: Sandbox

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