Freeplane
| Company type | Free software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software |
| Predecessor | FreeMind |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Products | Mind mapping and outlining software |
| Website | www |
Freeplane is a cost-free, open-source software designed for mind mapping and outlining, developed using Java. It operates on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux platforms. Distributed under the GNU GPL version 2 or later, Freeplane was created in 2007 as a derivative of the FreeMind project. It maintains compatibility with FreeMind’s XML format while introducing additional functionalities that FreeMind does not provide.
Release 1.1
The stable version released in June 2010 brought several enhancements:
- Ability to export maps to PNG, JPEG, SVG, HTML/XHTML, and PDF formats
- Search and replace function applicable across multiple open maps
- Pasting HTML content as a structured node hierarchy
- Introduction of an outline mode
- Availability of a portable edition suitable for USB drives
- Support for Groovy scripting
- Integrated spell checking capability
Release 1.2.x
In October 2012, version 1.2.20 introduced:
- Node styles resembling text processors and conditional formatting
- Templates for creating new maps
- A dedicated formatting panel
- Add-ons: Modular plug-ins including tools for GTD and Study Planner integration
- Menu items equipped with hyperlink functionality
- Documentation of keyboard shortcuts exportable as maps or HTML
- Auto-save feature with file version verification upon opening maps
- Single-instance mode to streamline file management
- Filters at the node level along with enhanced search and replace options
- Visual improvements such as cloud-shaped nodes, rating icons, automatic edge coloring, and grid alignment for nodes
- Capability to copy/paste attributes and named filter conditions
- Diverse connector shapes, line styles, widths, and transparency settings
- Installer available for the portable version
- File properties dialog presenting map statistics like node counts and branch details
- Updated icons in main and context menus to boost usability
- Formulas: Inclusion of spreadsheet-style formulas within node text and attributes
- Node numbering features alongside style templates
- Progress icons indicating completion percentages in 10% or 25% increments
- Summaries: Creation of graphical or textual summaries by "bracketing" selected nodes
- Reorganized menu and command structures aimed at improving user intuitiveness and reducing learning time
- Enhanced parsing and formatting of dates and numbers with scripting support
- Digital post-its: movable, free-floating nodes allowing flexible map layouts
Release 1.3.x
Version 1.3 delivered significant upgrades such as:
- Broadened LaTeX support encompassing both mathematical formulas and textual content
- Integration with OpenStreetMap
Release 1.5.x
The 1.5 release focused on map aesthetics and customization by adding:
- Tools to generate highly uniform and symmetrical mind maps
- Functionality for cloning nodes
- Initialization scripts facilitating automation processes
- Support for background images
Release 1.6.x
This update featured:
- Cross-referencing capabilities between different mind maps via formulas and scripts
- Enhanced export options for PDF and SVG formats
- Compatibility with Java 9 environments
- Updated JLatexMath library integration
- Multiple bug resolutions
Release 1.7.x
Improvements centered on user interface and platform compatibility included:
- Introduction of a dark theme UI named "Darcula"
- Refinements to the interface along with node and alias enhancements
- Support extended to Java versions 11 and 13; discontinued support for Java 7, now requiring Java 8 or higher
- Various bug fixes
Release 1.12.x
The most recent stable version is .
Add-ons
Freeplane allows users to install add-ons that enhance its core capabilities, functioning similarly to plug-ins found in software like Firefox or LibreOffice. These extensions can perform one or multiple tasks and are often accessible through menus.
Prominent add-ons include:
- Tools supporting the GTD methodology
- Study planning utilities
- Features enabling version control and collaborative workflows