Bitmap images (development)

There is a requirement to let mind maps contain bitmap images. Word processors store their bitmap images in their files.

The storage of bitmap images

Solution 1: Direct storage in the XML

The images shall be stored in the XML of the mind map as binary data in a node, like

<node TYPE="image" BINARY="x4543edvc...45ert"/>

This proposal does not fix the XML representation; the above is only for illustration.

Upon creation of node view, temporary file shall be created, and HTML viewer of the JLabel shall point to that file.

Upon editing, external image editor shall be opened to edit the temporary file, like Gimp.

Evaluation

• Pro: Mind map is still stored as one plain, unzipped XML file. Thus:
  • Fast saving.
  • Nice for storing in version control system like CVS or SVN.
  • Easy searching several maps using grep tool.
• Pro: The existing JLabel of node view can be used with very little modification.
• Con: The design for applet is missing.
• Model: XML stored by certain versions of Microsoft Word.

Solution 2: Storage in zip archive

Each image shall have a dedicated files. The image files and the XML file of the map shall be stored in a zip archive.

...

Evaluation

• Model: OpenOffice data format.

Solution 3: Storing the images like ...

...

Requirements

• The mind maps shall be fast to load and save.
• The image function shall work in FreeMind applet.

Links

• XML
• Binary XML - despite the name, not directly related to the problem of storing binary data in XML.