10 Great Mind Mapping Apps for Android

February 19th, 2014Office & Productivity Apps3 commentsMind mapping is a popular way to brainstorm a topic or to split an idea into subtasks and actual next steps. There is no doubt that ubiquitous tablets and mobile phones are a perfect platform for note-taking and mind mapping solutions. There are several dozen Android mindmapping applications available for download on Google Play. Today well take a look at our personal top ten free brainstorming apps.iMindMap HD Application:iMindMap HD Developer: ThinkBuzan Reviewed version: 1.3.0 Price: Free / $20.99 per yeariMindMap HD is a mind mapping application created by Tony Buzan the man who had invented mind mapping technique. Android version of iMindMap HD is a part of a multiplatform framework that includes applications for desktop, web and mobile. iMindMap HD syncs your maps between all your supporting devices, so you have to to sign up for a free account on the first start.The process of drawing a mindmap with iMindMap HD is easy to understand. Start a new mind map, tap the central topic and you will see a red circle. To create new subtopic just drag this circle out of the central topic. The app has 4 drawing tools: Branch, Box Branch, Freehand, and Arrow. Using those you can draw complex but nice looking diagrams in minutes.iMindMap HD is probably one of the most visually appealing mind mapping tools for Android. However, functionality of the free ad-supported version is very limited. This version lacks ability to insert images or audio notes to your mind maps, add tasks, or export your work as an image. If you need one of those features then you have to upgrade to iMindMap with Freedom for $20.99 per year. Check the differences between two versionshere.

iMindMap HD ScreenshotMindBoard Free Application:MindBoard Free Developer: TomoakiOshima Reviewed version: 3.3.8 Price: Free / $5.70MindBoard is a simple freehand drawing mind mapping application. You dont have to type text for your maps nodes using virtual keyboard. Instead you can use your finger to write or draw your mind maps. Start a new mind map, tap the central topic, choose color and thickness for the pen, and tap the central topic once again. Now you are working with a canvas you can draw on.The application allows you to export your work as PDF or PNG files. You can share MindBoard files among your devices that have the same Google Account using Google Drive.With free version of MindBoard you can create up to 10 mind maps and the app will export your work to PDF with embedded watermark.

MindBoard Free ScreenshotMindjet Maps Application:Mindjet Maps Developer: Mindjet Reviewed version: 4.0 Price: Free!Mindjet Maps is another popular tool for brainstorming, note taking and creating tasks. Android application is a part of the companys Mindjet solution that is available as Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android and web apps. On the first start you have to log into your Mindjet account; you can create one on the company web site.Creating mind maps with Mindjet is very easy. All program options are on the toolbar that is placed in the lower left corner of the screen. Just tap an icon to select command you need: add subtopic; delete topic; change font options; edit color and shape of a topic; add or remove relation. You can even create a new topic by taking a photo with your device camera.Mindjet also supports gesture shortcuts. Activate gesture panel from menu (Wrench icon > Show Gesture Panel) and you will be able to access commonly used commands by drawing predefined shapes. Alas, at this time Mindjet wont allow you to create your own gestures.You can store your work on the device or to your Dropbox or Box account. By default Mindjet saves files to its own .mmap format, but you can change this setting and save your work to Freemind or XMind formats. The application also allows you to export mind maps as an image or in a plain text format.

Mindjet Maps ScreenshotMindMapper Application:MindMapper Developer: SimTech Systems, Inc. Reviewed version: 5.2.3 Price: Free!MindMapper is an Android version of the popular Windows application. Unlike many competitors MindMapper is now a completely free application, although previously there were separate Lite and Pro versions.With MindMapper you can create mind maps and save them in a folder on your device or directly to your Dropbox account. The program uses its own file format .twdx, that is used both in desktop MindMapper 2012 and mobile versions of the application. There is no option to export your work to any other format. Still there is a way to share your mind maps by sending them as a PNG image.Working with MindMapper is fairly easy. Most of the program functions are placed on the toolbars in lower-left corner of the screen. You can change color and shape of nodes, insert icons, format text. You can attach a text note or an image to each item on your map. There is an option to take a picture with your device camera, however I was unable to make it work.

MindMapper ScreenshotMindMeister Application:MindMeister Developer: MeisterLabs Reviewed version: 2.2.2.29 Price: Free!MindMeister for Android is a natural extension of the companys web-based mindmapping tool; when you first run the application you have to log into your MindMeister account or create new one. All your mind maps will be automatically synced with your MindMeister account, and you will be able to work with them from your desktop computer.Functionality of the MindMeister is pretty limited comparing to other applications in this roundup. You cannot change the font and there are only three font sizes to choose from; shapes are limited to rectangular and rectangular with rounded corners; you cannot attach images or audio notes to your mind map items. There is no option to export your work or send it by email. The only way to share MindMeister mind map is to send a link to it. Keep in mind that the person you are sharing your work with, must have MindMeister account in order to view it.

MindMeister ScreenshotMindomo Application:Mindomo Developer: Expert Software Applications Srl Reviewed version: 2.2.3 Price: Free!Mindomo is a powerful mind mapping solution that is also available for Windows, MacOSX, iOS and as a web cloud service.The application is packed with an impressive set of features. You can attach text notes, hyperlinks, icons, tasks and images to any node. Images can be taken from a gallery, camera, Bing, Flickr or Mindomo library. There are several built-in themes that you can apply to your mind map. You can change shapes and colors of topics; change font family, size, color and alignment. There is a useful layout management feature that allows you to create different types of diagrams.The Presenter mode lets you to easily turn your mind maps into interactive presentations. Just create a new slide and select elements of the map that you want to highlight.All mind maps can be saved to your device or to the cloud maps storage (with free version you can sync only 3 mind maps), and you can organize your files with folders. There is an option to export your work as an image or PDF file or share via email as a PNG picture with attached .mom (Mindomo file format) file.

Mindomo ScreenshotMindSketch Lite Application:MindSketch Lite Developer: nor software Reviewed version: 1.2.1 Price: Free / $1.02MindSktechLite is another tool for drawing mind maps, flow charts, and state transition diagrams. The program has a fair amount of standard features: you can create nodes of different shapes, make connections between them, customize colors etc.The app has a user interface that may take some time to get used to it. Most features are accessible through the menu that floats up when you tap on the screen for a second or two. Now you should move your finger on one of the menu items and eventually submenu will appear. This operation might be slightly annoying since the menu will vanish if youll lift your finger.The application allows you to save your work in its own MSK format or export it as a PNG image. But you must be aware that you wont be able to open your saved work with free version; this feature only available in the paid version of the program.

MindSketch Lite ScreenshotSchematicMind Application:SchematicMind Developer: QDV Softworks Reviewed version: 1.3.1 Price: Free!SchematicMind is a free ad-supported application for creating mind maps right from your Android device. The app allows you to create unlimited amount of mind maps with no limit on map size.SchematicMind provides you with a sufficient set of features for creating and editing mind maps. You can create node of five distinct shapes, change their background and border color, and add icons to any node. There are a dozen of predefined styles that you can apply to your mind maps. The app has an uncomplicated user interface that is easy to use not only on table but also on smaller mobile phones.SchematicMind doesnt require login and you can use it even when you are working offline. The program supports saving mind maps to XML format and open your work anytime on any other device.

SchematicMind ScreenshotSharpMindMap Application:SharpMindMap Developer: kvagus Reviewed version: 0.8.2 Price: Free!SharpMindMap is another application for creating mind maps or just any other diagrams that require graphical representation of objects and relationships between them. The app was created with a focus on simplicity and allows you to easily customize visual appearance of objects, connections and background.With SharpMindMap you can create nodes of six different shapes; change fill, border and text color; adjust size of individual nodes. The application allows you to create links between any two objects and edit those connections at any time. You can add text labels to connections and change the direction of arrowheads. In Style Mode you can easily copy style settings from one object to another.The program allows you to export your mind maps to XML one by one or all at once. You can also import XML files created on other devices or in different applications. There is also an option to share screenshot of the visible area.SharpMindMap is a completely free application with no advertising or in-app purchases. With all the features and an unbeatable price the app is a strong competitor that is definitely worth trying out.

SharpMindMap ScreenshotSimpleMind Free Application:SimpleMind Free Developer: ModelMaker Tools Reviewed version: 1.8.0 Price: Free / $5.16SimpleMind is a mind-mapping application that is available for Android, iOS, Windows and MacOSX platforms. Android version of the app comes in two flavors free and paid. You can compare differences between two versionshere.The free version of the application has only very basic features. In short, you can only create nodes and attach text notes to them either manually or using copy-paste function. There are also built-in visual styles that you can apply to the whole mind map. In free version there are neither options to share or export your work, nor ability to import mind maps created in other applications or on other devices.

SimpleMind Free ScreenshotImage Occlusion 2.0 User ManualAuthor Contact: tmbb@campus.ul.ptIntroductionThis addon allows you to add image occlusion cards to Anki.Image occlusion cards are like cloze deletions with graphics.In general, you hide parts of an image, and during the repetitions you must guess what the hidden part is. Image Occlusions are discussed in the supermemowebsite.In practice, you will often have an image with labels, and you will hide the labels which you want to guess during the repetitions. Because an image is worth 1000 words (this are just one of 38 cards generated at once from the original image):Question:

Answer:

Basic usageThe addon is very simple. In the note editor, a new button has appeared, containing the text Image Occlusion (ignore the cute panda, the lightning bolt icon and the grey and blue snowflakes near the fields; they are from some of my other addons. If you are curious, please see check these:panda,lightning bolt,snowflakes).

To add new Image Occlusion cards to your collection, click that button. You will be asked to choose an image file to generate cards from it. Choose the file, and a new window will appear, with an image editor containing the image ready for you to edit. You generate Image Occlusion cards by drawing shapes (or masks) over the original image. There are several shapes you can draw, and you can group shapes together to cover non-contiguous parts of the image. In the vast majority of cases you will want to use rectangles.Let's see how everything is processed from the beginning:Step by Step instructionsOpen the note editor (by clicking in the deck browser, for example)

Click the Image Occlusion buttonChoose the image file you want to use (I chose an image fromNetter's atlas, depicting a deep dissection of the muscles of the thigh).You can also use an image from the clipboard.An image editor will appear.Besides showing the editing area, the current version allows you to supply (optionally, of course):1. Header: is shown above the images when studying2. Footer: is shown below the image when studying3. : are added to the notes. This is how you supply tags to the Image Occlusion cards. Changing the tags in teh note editor doesn't affect the tags of the Image Occlusion cards.You can also select the to which your cards will be added, by clicking the button at the bottom. This button works just like the Choose Deck dialog in the Anki note editor.These images don't show these features because they are from the previous version. They have not been updated due to lack of time.

You can now start to draw rectangles over the labels you want to hide in your image.

The initial tool is the rectangle tool, so you can start drawing rectangles right away. The rectangles are initially set to white, but the color can be changed in the color panel in the bottom of the screen. The rectangle tool is marked with an arrow in the following screenshot:

Repeat for all labels

Now that all labels are hidden, you must add the cards to Anki. To add the cards, you click one of the following buttons (their meaning will be discussed later):

A tooltip will appear telling you how many cards have been added.Congratulations: you have added your first image occlusion note.Meaning of the buttonsThere are two buttons:1. Non-overlapping(Mnemonic: notice that the two shapes don't overlap)

2. Overlapping(Mnemonic: notice that the two shapes overlap)

Non OverlappingThis button is called non-overlapping because it generates cards in which there is no overlapping information.This is because the question side of the cards hides all labels, hiding the label the user is supposed to guess in a different color, and the answer shows only that layer (and none of the other layers). This is the same as showing a cloze deletion sentence with all parts hidden, while asking only for one of them. For example:Question:

Answer:

OverlappingThis button is called overlapping because it generates cards in which there is overlapping information.This is because the question side of the cards shows all labels except for the one the user is supposed to guess, and the answer shows all labels. This is the same as showing a cloze deletion sentence with only one cloze for the user to guess. For example (compare with the previous one):Question:

Answer:

Which one do I use?That depends on the material you're adding, as wel as your personal preferences.I believe that for images that consist of a drawing with some labels pointing to parts of the image, non-overlapping image oclcusion is better, because it deprives the user of clues that might help him to answer the answer correctly without being really sure. A user that can see all labels except for one might easily be able to guess the missing one. Despite this conjecture, I have no data showing the superiority of either method in this situation.In images where context is critical, like a diagram representing a biochemistry cycle (e.g. Krebs cycle), in chich the compounds come one after the other, you have to use overlapping image occlusion. You can't guess the that a label is hiding compound , for example, unless you can see that it comes from and becomes .Here is an example of overlapping image occlusion being used on a diagram of theKrebs cycle:Question:

Answer:

With non-overlapping image occlusion you would have to memorize the place of fumaric acid in this specific drawing of the cycle. With overlapping image occlusion, you have only to memorize which compound comes from succinic acid and turns into malic acid, which is exactly our goal.Advanced UseAdding Images from the clipboardIf you have an image in the clipboard (a screenshot, for example), when you click the Image Occlusion button, the addon will not ask you for a filename, and will use the image in the clipboard. The image will be cleared from the clipboard imediately after appearing in the image editor. If clearing the clipboard is inconvenient for you, drop me a line and I will make this customizable.Beyond RectanglesAlthough the previous discussion used rectangles as an example, you can use any kind of shapes, or even a group of shapes to hide parts of the image. Using a group of shapes might be useful if you want to hide two non contiguous parts of the image. Seethis linkfor a turorial on the use of the editor, which includes instructions on how to group/ungroup objects.Here is an example of using a group of two rectangles to hide two different chemical compounds in the Krebs cycle:Question:

Answer:

Why did I choose to hide them at the same time? Well, anyone who knows some biochemistry knows that if you see NAD+ in one side of a chemical reaction, NADH will appear on the other side (not always, but incredibly often in human metabolism). If you are shown one of them, guessing the other requires no knowledge of the specific chemical reaction you are studying. We want to test our knowledge of the Krebs cycle, and not whether or not we know a basic rule of thumb, and so we hide both compunds at the same time. Because these two compounds are so closely associated at this stage (to understand the Krebs cycle you need toknow the basics, namely what NAD+ and NADH are), the pair works as a singlechunk, and we are not contradicting theminimum information principle.Edit the image before placing the masksYou can edit the image to before hide the masks. The editor contains a side panel named layers. If you click the word layers, it will appear. By default, the Shapes layer is active, which means that whatever you draw is interpreted as a mask to hide part of the image.

However, if you select the Picture layer (by clicking it), you will be able to draw over the image in a way that is not interpreted as masks hiding the image. When you want to draw the masks, you just select the Shapes layer again.Further readingFor documentation on how to use the editor, see theofficial website.Changing Default OptionsAs of the current version, you can change:the default color of the rectangles in the editor [default value is white]. Please note that you can also change the rectangle color in the editor itself.the color of the rectangle that appears in the question [default value is red, as in the examples shown]. You can't change this option in the editor.To change configure this options, go to the Tools > Image Occlusion 2.0 (options) menu, as shown in the picture:

The following window will appear:

Click the Choose Color buttons, and you will be presented with a color palette from which you can choose a color.You can access this help from the help menu of Anki's main window:

Plans for the futureBeing able to update image occlusion notes, while preserving some of the review history. Suggestions are accepted and deeply appreciated.What is this editor you're using? it is svg-edit, a javascript editor that is available in theofficial website. None of the core code has been touched, and only an extension has been written.Where is the place to go to know more about this editor? You can go to theofficial website. It contains lots of documentation, and can give you ideas on how to use the full power of svg-edit to your image occlusion workflow (I have to say that in my opinion most of the time nothing beats the old rectangle).This tutorialis also very helpful.Sometimes, the editor refuses to appear correctly. Why? Please make sure you have the most current version of the addon, which you can download from theankiweb page.Can I add images from the clipboard?YES YOU CAN!:)I have another question! Contact the author: tmbb@campus.ul.ptAndy Makar highlights five of his favorite mind mapping applications for the Android tablet platform.Mind mapping solutions and tablet computing are made for each other. Whenever I attend conferences or lectures, I frequently bring my tablet instead of lugging around a laptop, power plug, and laptop case. Even with structured presentations, the discussions and ideas generated from the presentation are non-linear, which makes mind mapping the perfect note-taking and thought mapping solution.Sign up for our Tablets in the Enterprise newsletter!Subscribe(Side note: Tablet portability not only helps take notes but ensures that I'm first in line for all the free SWAG.)A few years ago, mind mapping solutions on a tablet platform were hard to find and limited in functionality. Fortunately, mind mapping software development on both the iPad and Android platforms have matured, and software vendors are providing solutions for multiple platforms -- desktops, tablets, smartphones, and cloud-based solutions. The popularity of cloud computing has enabled users to seamlessly integrate the tablet, the computer, and the cloud.Using a Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, I reviewed 10 of the free mind mapping applications in the Google Play store (Figure A) for the Android platform.Figure A

10 free mind mapping applications for Android.Android mind mapping applicationsHere are the 10 Android mind mapping applications I reviewed: Mindjet for Android Mindomo iMindMap HD MindMeister for Android MindMaps Lite SimpleMind for Android Mind Mapping Free MindMemo Mind Map Memo MindBoard FreeConsidering mind mapping is a simple technique of creating a network diagram of thoughts, colors, and relationships, you'd be surprised at the range of functionality available in the tablet mind mapping software. Some of the Android applications supported simple map creation and other provided rich formatting and task management within the mind map. I developed maps in each of the applications, and based on each application's usability, ease of editing, map creation, and sharing features, I created the following short list of my favorite Android mind mapping applications.Mindjet for AndroidMindjet is an impressive and innovative company. In just a few years, they've taken their predominantly PC-based platform to Mac OS, iOS, Android, and cloud computing platforms. The Mindjet for Android app (Figure B) seamlessly integrates with Mindjet's hosted Connect solution. I was able to create a map on the Android tablet and access it on a separate computer by accessinghttp://connect.mindjet.com.Figure B

Mindjet for Android on the Samsung Galaxy Tab.Creating mind maps in Mindjet for Android was very easy. Adding nodes, relationships, colors, notes, and icons was accomplished with the menu system in the lower left corner.The ability to take notes, sync them with Mindjet Connect, and download the map on my computer is a nice feature that mind mappers will frequently use to translate ideas into new digital assets and actionable items. If you have a desktop version of Mindjet, accessing the tablet version is seamless and perfect for taking notes and brainstorming.MindomoMindomo is also an impressive tablet mind mapping solution that's feature rich with task management support and layout formatting, in addition to the standard "add a node" functionality. Mindomo has an intuitive interface that lets you create mind maps quickly. I found the layout management feature useful for project management (Figure C), as I can create a work breakdown structure, organization charge, or Six Sigma Fishbone diagram depending on the upcoming meetings purpose.Android users will be pleased with Mindomo, because it offers a free account for online maps. If you create an online map via the browser or the Mindomo Android application, it will be synchronized with the server for future viewing.Figure C

The Mindomo app provides a useful layout management feature.iMindMap HDIf there was an award for the most visually appealing mind mapping tool, I'd award it to iMindMapHD. Most mind mapping tools create a node and growth direction for you. With iMindMap HD, your built-in human equipped stylus draws branches and nodes in the exact direction of your finger (Figure D). The colors and fonts are engaging, and by combining graphics with colors, you'll truly have a mind map that's picture worthy of framing, while helping you organize your thoughts.Figure D

The iMindMap HD app is the most visually appealing mind mapping tool.The free version of iMindMap HD includes free access to store five mind maps in their hosted iMindMap Freedom account. If you own a license for the desktop version of iMindMap, you can import it into your desktop or laptop. Other mind mapping apps have more features, but iMindMap HD creates the most creative looking mind maps on the tablet.MindMaps LiteAnother winner in my book is Endare's MindMaps Lite (Figure E). Touching each node opens a graphical set of options that make it easy to add, edit, and delete nodes. When you're taking notes in a lecture, you want to easily create notes without having to struggle with a tool. MindMaps Lite is an excellent choice for new users looking to start with mind mapping. The full version of MindMaps Lite supports export formats, includingPNG and PDF, and other mind mapping tools, like Xmind and FreeMind.Figure E

MindMaps Lite is an excellent choice for new users.MindMeister for AndroidWhen mind mapping tools were predominately delivered on desktops, MindMeister demonstrated innovation by deploying their solution entirely via a web browser. MindMeister on the tablet is a natural extension of a popular hosted platform. Since tablet users also typically have desktop computers, the ability to easily integrate the tablet mind map with a desktop is a must in today's mind mapping web 2.0 world.This tool successfully develops a mind map but lacks a lot of the "bells and whistles" found in the other mind mapping solutions (Figure F). However, simplicity and well-designed software is more important than packing in all the features you'd find in a desktop-based application.MindMeister offers a free account with a limited number of maps and allows users to expand into paid accounts. However, the tablet must be connected to the Internet to use the application. If the application worked offline, it would have ranked higher in the evaluation.Figure F

MindMeister on an Android tablet.SummaryMind mapping tools are improving as they integrate web-based solutions with tablets and desktop computing platforms. All of these applications offer a free version that let you explore mind mapping on the Android platform. Paid versions are also available with additional features. Once you start working with mind maps, you'll quickly find new ways to apply mind mapping to business and your personal brainstorming process.What mind mapping applications do you recommend? Share your experience in the discussion thread below.A short introduction to SVG-editA short introduction to SVG-edit v.2.6 stableby Luigi D. CAPRASVG-edit is a free SVG pictures editor.Written in JavaScript, SVG-edit has been designed to be at your side when you need more, that is when you edit web-pages on-line, trying to adapt or recycle available SVG pictures to illustrate a different text.You don't need to bring SVG-edit with you on CD-ROM or pen-drive because SVG-edit is always accessible through the net. If you need it just enter the following URL in your preferred browser:http://svg-edit.googlecode.com/svn/tags/stable/editor/svg-editor.htmlto open a SVG-edit session. SVG-edit could be spawn by all the major browser: FireFox, Safari, Opera, Crome and of course Internet Explorer 6.Otherwise, if you prefer, you can integrate SVG-edit capabilities in your HTML page, including a line like this:

But this is another story.In this short introduction we will adopt final user point of view regarding SVG-edit like a black box, that means that we will ignore what happen inside.Please note: this tutorial makes reference to SVG-edit stable release v2.6 available on web-site, if you are interested to SVG-Edit v2.6 preAlpha, embedded in BlueGriffon, which is a little different please make reference to the old tutorial.1 - Screen organization

SVG-edit v2.6 preAlpha overlapped to BlueGriffon version 1.1.1SVG-edit windows consists of two zones: a large central painting area (canvas) and an externalframeused as a support for palette of tools and/or colors.Looking at the frame we may distinguish among theicon toolbar(above), thetools palette(on the left side), thecolor selection palette(under the canvas) and thelayers selection box(hidden on the right side).NotationIn the following text the notation +X indicates that you may press control-key and X key in the same time, that you may press the enter-key and so on.1.1 - The icon toolbarOne of the most important things you must to know about SVG-edit is that the icon toolbar is contest sensitive, that means that theicon toolbar looks changes whereas you are working.For instance if you draw a rectangle and then click on it a new set of icons will be showed at the right of thebasic icons setadding new controls to permit you to move, resize and rotate the selected object.

Icons toolbar basic toolsThe icon toolbarbasic setconsist of six icons: themain menu, theedit source, thewireframe mode,show grid,undoandredoicons. Look at the picture above.

Themain menuoffers many options (picture above) concerning mainly the creation and the safeguarding of the pictures.SVG-edit provides short-cuts for the most frequently used commands via control keys. For instance New Image [N] means that you can create a new canvas pressing +N.That theoretically, because your browser could have reserved many control codes for its purposes so not always the short-cut works. You must check control-code combinations on your browser to see what happen; in any case the you can always click on the corresponding icon.Looking at the icons of the Main menu we can see:1.1.1 - New ImageClicking on New Image icon or pressing +N SVG-edit will ask if you want to discard the current work and create a new, empty, image.1.1.2 - Open ImageClicking on Open Image icon or pressing +O will open a dialogue box allowing the selection of the selected SVG image for editing.1.1.3 - Import SVGImport SVG command allows you to import an existing SVG images in your page.Please note:the imported image doesn't substitute the previous image which will be preserved.The image imported will be inserted as abundlein the left upper corner of the canvas, on the top of the active-layer stack. After insertion you can move or resize the imported image as a whole. If you want to recycle single elements of the imported picture you must before unbind the bundle clicking on the ungroup icon (see 1.3.1).The Import image option is a very effective way to recycle image elements present in other picture saving time and efforts. If you have to draw many pictures sharing same particular graphic element could be convenient to create a library, that could be saved as a SVG file. When you need components you can import the library and copy the components that you need in the new picture.1.1.4 - Save ImageClicking on Save Image icon or pressing +S will force the browser to create a new tab showing a new document containing current SVG picture. Then you can save the picture using the save optionsof the browser.Please note: sometimes Save Image option doesn't work. If this problem occurs you can however save the work done recurring to Edit Source following the procedure described at the end of1.1.5 - Export as PNGBecause only few programs support SVG image format SVG-edit allows to export the rendering of the vector graphic image as a bitmap. Export as PNG option forces the browser to create a newtabshowing the rendering of current SVG picture. Then you can save the corresponding bitmap, as a PNG file, using the save options provided by the browser.1.2 Edit SourcesAs you know SVG picture consists of a set of commands which tell the graphic engine the sequence of steps to draw the given image.Clicking on the Edit Sources icon or pressing +U switch SVG-edit in text mode allowing the editing of the script corresponding to the SVG picture. This function is very useful for debug purposes allowing expert users to check the correctness of the code generated by the program. Edit sources also offers the possibility to manually trim features that are not accessible through the graphics user interface.When you finish you can decide to save your work pressing apply changes (which will force the rendering engine to redraw the picture using the modified script), or discard the changes pressing the Cancel button.If you cannot save the picture draw using the standard SVG-edit's command Save Image (see 1.1.4) you can however safeguard the work done recurring to the following alternative procedure: starting from the graphic environment click on Edit Sources icon, then select the whole SVG code pressing +A and copy the text in the clipboard pressing +C. Then create a new text file using an external program (for instance Windows' NotePad), copy the SVG code inside, pressing +V and save the script as a text file. Finally change its extension from txt to svg.1.1.6 - Document PropertiesClicking on Document Properties icon or pressing +I (+P inBlueGriffon), opens a dialogue box, which offers many possibility to customize SVG-edit behavior; for instance you can change on the fly the size of the canvas, that is the size of the bitmap that should be generatedBecause SVG images are stored as sets of vector, changing canvas dimensions doesn't affect the picture contents or image quality. It simply means that the rendering engine must use a different bitmap output-size rendering the picture.Also Document Properties dialogue box allows to give a name to the picture, to select the language used for menu, captions and messages to the user and last by not least offers the possibility to change icons dimensions to adapt to the size of the screen that you are using. This is very useful if you are outside and try to modify a SVG picture using a smart-phone or a PDA.1.1.7 Wireframe ModelClicking on Wireframe Model icon or pressing +F makes the layers transparent so that you can see through them checking components alignment.Wireframe option makes also visible lines having stroke width zero that otherwise are invisible allowing to delete them.1.1.8 - UndoClicking on Undo icon or pressing +Z recovers the status of the picture immediately precedent last modification.Please note:SVG-edit supports multiple Undo.1.1.9 - RedoClicking on Redo icon or pressing +Y recovers the changes undone using Undo.1.2 - The layers selection boxSVG pictures organization is based on layers. You can regard to layers as traditional transparent acetate sheets on which you can draw using felt-tip pens. You can allocate a layer for the background and one or many layers for the characters on the foreground. For instance in the picture below consists of four layer:background,house,carandfamily.

Layers allows to realize dynamic effect (movement) simply displacing one layer respect the others, without having to redraw your pictures.Layers employment offers also another benefit because simplify object selection inside the picture.It is very hard to manage complex vector images consisting of a single layer because the difficulties to select particular object for editing when too many objects or strokes overlap.Splitting complex graphics among many layers improve objects separation and make easier to select the desired element because only the objects belonging to the active layer could be selected, other details are still visible but not take part to the selection activities.To open the Layers selection box you have to click on it or to drag its left border to the left.As you can see in the picture above the Layers dialogue box shows the list of the layers used to make the SVG image. The active layer is highlighted. Graphic changes affect only the selected layer. You can change the active layer simply clicking on the name of the one that you want to modify. You can also move the selected graphic element to another layer simply selecting the destination layer using the Move elements to: entry.Upon the layer list there are five icons:new layer,delete layer,rename layer,move layer up,move layer down.1.2.1 New LayerNew Layer creates a new (empty) layer on the top of the layer-stack and select it for editing.1.2.2 Delete LayerDelete Layer option deletes the selected layer.1.2.3 Rename LayerNew layer receive sequential names: Layer 1, Layer 2, and so on. Rename layer option allows you to change the default name assigning to the currently selected layer a descriptive name.1.2.4 Move Layer UpMove Layer Up allows to move a layer in foreground.Move Layer Up and Move Layer Down allows you to reorder the layers in function of the distance (of the corresponding object by the point of view) managingocclusions. The layers corresponding to objects in foreground should be on the top of the stack. Layers corresponding to graphic elements partially occluded (behind) by other object should appear under the layer in front of them.1.2.5 Move Layer DownMove Layer Down allows to move a layer in background.1.2.6 How to transfer a picture element from a layer to anotherTo move a picture element P from a layer X to a layer Y you must at first select the layer X containing P. Select the elements that you want to move using the selection arrow and finally choose the destination layer using the drop down menu Move elements to.1.3 Tools paletteOn the left side of the canvas you can find the Tools Palette. SVG-edit v2.5 palette consists of ten icons: select tool, pencil tool, line tool, rectangle, ellipse, path tool, text tool, image tool, zoom tool, eye dropper tool. BlueGriffon's SVG-edit v2.6_preAlpha offers also the possibility to copy simple clip-arts from a library.1.3.1 - Selection toolThe arrow tool could be used to select one or more elements of the picture. The selected elements could be simple strokes or complex object defined as a group of simpler components.You can select a single element of the picture clicking on it, instead if you would like to select a set of elements you must choose the starting point of the selection and the drag the cursor (maintaining the left button pressed) till the end of the selection. When you release the left button all the elements included in theselection rectangle(look at the picture below) will be selected.

The selection rectangle shows many handles which allows to rotate, resize and deform the selected elements (scrap) in different ways. If you would like change the width of the scrap maintaining the height you should grasp the middle handle on the left (right) side and displace it. The same procedure applied to the upper or lower middle handle allows to change the height of the scrap maintaining the same width. Grasping on of the corner-handles you can resize the scrap, but the most interesting handle is the rotation handle which allows to rotate the scrap.At the end of the selection a new set of icons will appears in the icons toolbar above the canvas (look at the picture below).

The left most icon (two blue overlapped rectangles) allows to bind together the selected elements creating a compound object (bundlegroup). The icons at the right manage selected object alignments allowing to align them respect the position of a reference point.You can choose the reference point using the drop-down menu Relative to: which offers four possibility:selected object, largest object, smallest object, page.Choose a reference point you can align the selected object horizontally or vertically in six different way:Align Left, Align center, Align right, Align top, Align middle, Align top.You can group elements pressing the icon showing overlapped rectangles or pressing +G, modifies the appearance of the selection. The elements once independent now appears in the selection like a whole. Selecting more then one elements every individual object appears bound by a dash rectangle after grouping dashed rectangles disappear replaced by a unique solid line rectangle bounding the wholegroup. Grouping affect also the Icon toolbar appearance.

As you can see in the picture above the group and align icons have been replaced by the icons controlling the position of the (new) element in the canvas and and in the local stack (that is the stack of the element belonging to the selected layer).In the right most position we find again an icon showing two overlapped rectangles. Clicking on the Ungroup elements icon or pressing +G you can unbind the bundle.An effective way to move some objects, belonging to the same layer, maintaining the relative positions is to make a bundle, move it to destination as a whole and the unbind.Bundled elements behave as a whole, that means that you can move, rotate, resize, change color to the grouped elements with a single command. When you have finish you can unbind them. They return to behave as separated independent elements.The Selection tool could also be used to pick-up the color of an elementary graphic element. After the selection thefilling-colorand theborder-colorof the selected element will become the actual colors.1.3.2 - Pencil toolThe pencil tool allows free hand drawing. The thickness and the color of the strokes could be changed using the Color Palette tools. See 1.4.1.3.3 - Line toolThe Line tool could be used to draw a straight lines from a point A to a point B.1.3.4 - Rectangle/Square/Free hands rectangleClicking on the Rectangle icon opens a sub-menu palette offering the choice among three different options:Rectangle,SquareandFree hands rectangledrawing. The first two options are very straightforward. The third option allows the user to sketch a free hand rectangle that will be converted in a true rectangle immediately after the completion. This option could be very useful if you are using a PDA.1.3.5 - Ellipse/Circle/Free hands ellipseClicking on the Ellipse icon opens a sub-menu palette offering the choice among three different options:Ellipse,CircleandFree hands ellipsedrawing. The first two options again are very straightforward. The third option allows the user to sketch a free hand ellipse that will be converted in a true ellipse immediately after the completion. This option could be very useful if you use certain kind of PDA.1.3.6 - Path toolThe Path tool allowpolylinesandpolygonsdrawing.Polylinescould be regarded as openpolygons, that ispolygonsincomplete because a side is missing.To draw apolygonconsisting of three vertex A, B, C, you must click on point A, B, C, and then onAagain. To draw apolylineconsisting of three vertex A, B, C, you must click on point A, B, C, and then onCagain.Note that:if thepathinclude at least three vertex, the inside of thepolylinecould be filled exactly as the inside of apolygon. SVG-edit behave like if thepolylinewas close on itself by a side connecting the first and the last vertex. In this case the only different between apolygonand apolylinehaving the same vertex is that, if astroke widthgreater then zero is selected the strokes corresponding to sides of thepolylinewill be marked but not the missing side.1.3.7 - Text toolSVG's format supports alsotextwriting. To introduce a text in the drawing you must use the text tool (the A shaped icon). To enter a text click on the A icon, then move the cursor in the place where you want to write, click on the left mouse button and type the desired text.Please note:there is a little bug because at first the text will be paint using invisible ink. Don't worry go on. When you finish to write click on the color palette the text will appear immediately.Analogously if you change font family or font size the color will be reset. You should click again on the color palette to make the text visible.1.3.8 - Image toolSVG format allows bitmap integration in vector graphic picture. To embed a bitmap in your SVG picture click on the monitor shaped icon to select the Image tool then move the cursor in the place where you want to insert the image and click again. A dialogue box will appear asking: Enter the new image URL. If the image that you want to embed is accessible through the Web type the corresponding URL, otherwise if it is present in computer type: file:/// followed by the correspondingpath.For instance supposing you are working underWindows-7and you would like to embed the file MyImage.jpg on your desktop you should type something like this:file:///C:/Users//Desktop/MyImage.jpg1.3.9 - Zoom toolSVG-edit provides two different zoom tools thelensicon (in the Tools Palette) and the Change zoom level (see 1.4.1). The lens tools it is very easy to use, just select the details that you want to see better and automatically SVG-edit will show them as large as possible.1.3.10 - Eye dropper toolIn SVG-edit theEye dropper tool works like thecolor canin others paintings programs, that is you can use the Eye dropper tool to change both thefilling colorand thestroke colorof an object using theactive colors.1.3.11 - Clip-art librarySVG-edit v2.6_preAlpha offers also the possibility to insert in the picture standard symbols and shapes copying them from a library of clip-arts. The library provided with BlueGriffon consists of twelve sets of symbols: basic, object, symbols, arrows, flowchart, animals, cards and chess, dialog balloons, electronics, mathematical, music and miscellaneous.1.4 Colors palette

You can find the Colors palette on the bottom of the window just under the canvas.Really the left most control doesn't concern colors selection but all other do.1.4.1 Change zoom levelThe left most control (drop down menu) allows the user to choose the preferred zoom level. The main difference between Change zoom level and the Zoom tool (see 1.3.9) is that change zoom level allows the user to select the preferred zoom factor whereas the Zoom tool enlarge the selected details as wide as possible.1.4.2 Change fill colorImmediately at the right of Change zoom level you can find Change fill color, where thefilling coloris the color that will be used to fill the inside ofpolygonandpolylines.Clicking on the bucket icon open a dialogue box which allows to set the filling color choosing it ina a palette or specifying RGB or HSB coordinates.SVG-edit supports three different painting strategies or styles:solid color, linear gradient or radial gradient. Selectingsolid colorthe whole inside of the polygon will be paint using the selectedfilling color. Thelinear gradientoption paints the selected object using different shades of color changing linearly moving on the selected line. Finally, theradial gradientoption allows to paint the selected object using different shades of colors moving from the center toward the borders.1.4.3 Change the selected object opacityThe checkers icons allows you to change the opacity of the selected object in reference to the background. A completely transparent object has an opacity of 0% whereas an opaque object as an opacity of 100%. Partially transparent objects could have intermediate opacity level.1.4.4 Traditional palette of colorsAt the right of the opacity selection control you can find a traditional palette of colors. To change thefilling colorsimply click on the color cell that shows the desired color. To change thestroke coloryou must click on the color cell that shows the desired color pressing in the same time.1.4.5 Change stroke colorImmediately under the bucket icon there is a square icon; pressing on it you can change thestroke color. The color selection dialogue box has been already described in 1.4.2, look there for more information.1.4.6 Change stroke widthThe drop menu immediately at the right of Change stroke color allows to change the line width. A polygon with astoke widthofzerowill appears without borders.1.4.7 Change stroke dash styleThis allows to changepolylinesdash styles.1.4.8 Change corners styleThis options allows you to choose among sharp corners or rounded ones.1.4.9 Change strokes buttsIn computer graphics straight lines (having thickness greater then one) often looks like thin rectangles. Change stroke butts drop down menu lets you choose among round and squared butts.1.5 Selected object modifiers

As we have already observed the Icons toolbar is context sensitive that means that it tries to offer always the set of icons more suitable for the current editing conditions; in particular after object selection the Icons toolbar shows on the right many auxiliary icons which permits to manipulate the selected object in many different ways.From left to right you can see:Clone element, Delete element, Move to top, Move to bottom, Convert to path, Identify the element, Change rotation angle, Change gaussian blur value, Align element to page, Change X coordinates, Change Y coordinates, and many other option depending from the kind of object selected.1.5.1 Clone elementClicking on the timbre icon will create a copy (that is another instance) of the selected object.1.5.2 Delete elementsClicking on Delete elements or simply pressing button will delete the selected objects.1.5.3 Move to TopMove to Top command will force the reordering of the object stack (corresponding to the selected layer) forcing the selected object to move toward the foreground. This command doesn't affect unselected layers stack.1.5.4 Move to BottomMove to Bottom command will force the reordering of the object stack (corresponding to the selected layer) forcing the selected object to move toward the background. This command doesn't affect unselected layers stack.1.5.5 Convert to pathConvert to path options convert rectangles in an oriented path.1.5.6 Identify the elementSVG-edit users are encouraged to create their own library of graphic components, as a way to simplify complex design reusing standard bricks.Identify the element shows always the name of the object currently selected. Changing the selection force an immediateIdentify the element status update.Identify the element offers also an easy way to change default object names. You must simply edit the name of the object replacing the old name with the new one.1.5.7 - Change rotation angleWhen you insert a new object in the canvas, for instance a rectangle or an ellipse, it is oriented in standard way that is parallel to the X and Y axes. SVG-edit provides two different way to change the selected object orientation: you may grasp and simply turn the rotation handle until the object assumes the desired orientation (see 1.3.1) or you can set the rotation required using Change rotation angle dial. The first procedure it is more intuitive the latter more precise.1.5.8 - Change gaussian blur valueSVG allows element blurring to simulate fading due to fog or smoke presence or also the distortion due to occlusion by partially transparent object.1.5.9 - Align element to pageClicking on Align element to page open a dialogue box which allow to align the selected object to the page in the selected way. Object may be aligned to:the left, the center, the right, the top, the middle, the bottom.1.5.10 - Change X coordinatesChange X coordinate move the left side of the selection rectangle in the position specified.1.5.11 - Change Y coordinatesChange Y coordinate move the upper side of the selection rectangle in the position specified.1.6 Path modifiersSelecting an oriented path the Icons toolbar changes showing the following options:link control points, change X node coordinate, change Y node coordinate, change segment type, clone node, delete node, open close sub-path, add sub-path.Look at the picture below.

Talking aboutpath objectwe may distinguish between two different kind of selection:standard selectionandnode selection.Standard selectionis the same selection mechanism that works with all the other kind of object, which force the selected object to appear bounded by a selection rectangle (see 1.3.1). Clicking again on a path object the selection rectangle disappears replaced by a new representation, which enhance nodes position showing little circles in vertex correspondence. Node selection also enhance a segment of the path using a particular color (cyan) which become the selected segment. Path modifiers allows the user to modify the path in different way: moving thenodeor replacing thesegmentwith abezier-curvewhich could be deformed freely.You can also change the selected node (and segment) clicking on a differentnode.Please note:to distinguish between standard selection and node selection you could look at the cursor shape. In the first case the cursor is an arrow in the second is a four arrow cross.

1.6.1 - Link control pointsLink control points toggles betweenlinkedunlinked control point modesAssuming that some segments of the current path were already be replaced bycurves, supposing that exist as least one node that joins two different curves (look at the previous picture). Typically the tangents of the two curves entering and exiting from the given point will be different (as in pointB) but in particular situations could be necessary to assure that the two curve has the same tangent in a node, this result could be get linking the control points (look at the pointAThe Link control points icon toggles betweenlinkedunlinked control point modes. Usually we work inunlinked control points mode, allowing the two tangent to be different, but if it is necessary it is possible to toggle tolinked controlpoint mode clicking on the corresponding icon. When linked control points mode is active selecting a handle will immediately force the handle corresponding to the other curve to align (as in pointA). Then grasping one of the two linked handles you can modify ad the same time the looks of the two linked curves.To go back to the unlinked mode click again on the Link control points icon.1.6.2 - Change X node coordinateChange X node coordinate dial allows fine tuning of theselected node position(the node marked with a solid cyan circle).1.6.3 - Change Y node coordinateChange Y node coordinate dial allows fine tuning of theselected node position(the node marked with a solid cyan circle).1.6.4 Change segment typeChange segment type control allows to choose between two options:straightandcurve.At the creationpathobjectslooks likesequence of segmentsbut the user is free to replace one or more of thesegmentjoining couple ofnodevertex withcurves. It is also possible to revert acurveto asegment.To replace a segment with a curve: select thesegmentthat you want to transform in acurveselecting one of its node (if the segment selected is not the right one click on the other node), then simply open Change segment type drop down menu and selectcurve. Do the converse if you want revert a curve in a segment. Immediately after the transformation two handles will appear. The two small cyan circle on the segment. Grasp one of the handle and move it to modify the shape of the curve.Please note: thedirectionand of thehandleshave a straightforward geometrical interpretation, by convention thedirection of the handleis the same of theline tangent to the curve in the given node.Thelength of the handlewhich is proportional to the coefficient of the Bezir equations could be regarded as the intensity of the strength that should be used to deform a spline to get the given deformation.1.6.5 Clone nodeClicking on the Clone node icon will force the insertion of a new control node in the middle of the selected segment.1.6.6 Delete nodeClicking on the Delete node icon will delete the selected control node.1.6.7 Open close sub-pathPathsusually were created as closed circuits (similar to polygons border) but in some situations the user could need an open path. Clicking on Open close sub-path you can delete the selected segment or restore it if it has been deleted.1.6.8 Add sub-pathThe Add sub-path option allows you to create a sub-path connected with the existing one.1.7 Lines decoration

Selecting a segment (stroke) the Icons toolbar shows on the right three special icons which allows segment decoration addingmarkers.The three icons behave in the same way allowing toselect the start marker type(s:),select the mid marker type(m:) orselect the end marker type(e:). Clicking on one of the three icons will appear a palette of markers which allows to choose the markers that you would like to use to decorate you stroke. You must employ at most three markers one for thestart, one for themiddleand one for the of the stroke.1.7.1 Drawing an arrowFor instance supposing you would like to draw an arrow you must at first draw a segment using the Line tool. Draw a segment directed toward the top of the canvas, select the segment using the Selection tool. Then click on the right most icon (e:) and select the arrow head directed toward the right.If you would like to add feather on the queue, click on (s:) icon and select the marker that you prefer.2 Conclusions and future workSVG-edit seem to be a good program, providing powerful tools that allows to edit vector graphics images also when you are not in office. When I will have time I will write another chapter writing providing some examples of the use of SVG-edit.For now, thanks to Narendra Sisodiya, Pavol Rusnak and all the people of the SVG-edit team.