Tutorials

MindMine is a powerful mind mapping application for macOS that helps you visually organize ideas, concepts, and information. Think of it as a digital whiteboard where you can create beautiful diagrams that show the relationships between different thoughts. Mind maps are great for:

• Brainstorming and organizing thoughts

• Planning projects and breaking down complex tasks

• Taking notes in meetings or lectures

• Studying and visualizing complex topics

• Making decisions by exploring options

 

1. Getting Started

When you first open MindMine, you'll see a welcome screen with a button to create your first node. Click "Create the First Node" to begin. A node is a box or shape that contains your text. Every mind map starts with one central node—this is your main idea or topic.

 

2. The Toolbar

At the top of the window, you'll find the main toolbar with these important tools:

Add Node (Command-M): Creates a new node. If you have a node selected, it will become a child of that node.

Layout Direction: Choose how nodes are arranged:

• Free: Organic, random positioning for natural-looking maps

• Tree: Traditional hierarchy with children below parents

• Left: All branches go to the left side

• Right: All branches go to the right side

• Circle: Even distribution in a circular pattern

Node Shape: Choose the shape for new nodes:

• Rounded Rectangle (default)

• Rectangle

• Circle

• Diamond

• Hexagon

Inspector (Command-I): Edit detailed properties of selected nodes

Delete (Delete): Remove selected nodes

Outline (Command-O): View a text outline of your map structure

Zoom In/Out (Command-Plus / Command-Minus): Zoom in or out on your map

 

3. Working with Nodes

Creating Nodes:

• Click the + button in the toolbar, or press Command-M

• Select a node first to create it as a child of that node

• Nodes are automatically connected with links based on your layout choice

Editing Node Text:

• Double-click any node to start editing its text

• Type your text and press Return when done

• Press Escape to cancel editing

Moving Nodes:

• Click and drag a node to move it around the canvas

• Nodes automatically avoid overlapping each other

• Links stay connected as you move nodes

Selecting Nodes:

• Click a node to select it (it will show a blue border)

• Click on an empty area to deselect all nodes

• Only one node can be selected at a time

Deleting Nodes:

• Select a node and press Delete or click the trash button

• Deleting a parent node also removes its children

 

4. Navigating the Canvas

Your mind map can grow very large, and you can freely pan and zoom to explore it:

Pan (Move Around):

• Hold Command and drag with your mouse to move around

• This is very useful for exploring large maps

Zoom:

• Pinch with two fingers on a trackpad to zoom

• Use Command-Plus to zoom in or Command-Minus to zoom out

• Use Command-0 to reset zoom to 100%

• Use Command-F to fit all nodes on screen

 

5. Using the Inspector

The Inspector (press Command-I) lets you customize individual nodes in detail:

Text Properties:

• Edit the node's text directly

• Change font and font size

Shape Properties:

• Change the shape (rounded rectangle, circle, diamond, etc.)

• Choose text color and background fill color

• Adjust border color and thickness

Position:

• See the exact X and Y coordinates

• Precisely position nodes if needed

Notes:

• Add detailed notes that are attached to the node

• Great for storing extra information

 

To open the Inspector, select a node and press Command-I or click the info button in the toolbar.

 

6. Using Styles

Styles let you save node appearances and quickly apply them to other nodes:

Creating a Style:

• Format a node exactly how you want it (colors, shape, font, etc.)

• Select that node

• Open the Inspector and go to the Styles tab

• Click "Create Style" and give it a name

Applying a Style:

• Select the node(s) you want to format

• In the Styles tab of the Inspector, click "Apply" on any saved style

Managing Styles:

• Click the pencil icon to edit a saved style

• Click the trash icon to delete a style

Styles are great for creating visual hierarchies—use different styles for main topics, subtopics, and details.

 

7. Links Between Nodes

Links are lines that connect nodes, showing the relationships between them:

Automatic Links:

• When you create a child node (by selecting a parent and clicking +), a hierarchical link is automatically created

• These links follow your chosen layout direction

Link Appearance:

• Links can be solid, dashed, or dotted

• They can have arrows pointing to the child node

• Connection dots show where links attach to nodes

• All link properties are customizable in Preferences

Links automatically reposition as you move nodes, maintaining clean connections.

 

8. Preferences and Defaults

Access Preferences from the MindMine > Preferences menu to set default values for new mind maps:

Document Defaults:

• Default font size and font family

• Canvas background color

Node Defaults:

• Default text, fill, and border colors

• Default border thickness

• Default shape for new nodes

• Default layout direction

• Spacing between nodes

Link Defaults:

• Link color and thickness

• Whether links show arrows

• Link dash style (solid, dashed, dotted)

• Show/hide connection dots

 

These defaults apply to all new nodes and links you create. You can still customize individual items using the Inspector.

 

9. Saving Your Work

MindMine automatically saves your work:

• Press Command-S to save manually

• Choose a location and name your file

• Files are saved in the MindMine document format (.mindmap)

 

You can open saved files later by double-clicking them or using File > Open.

Undo and Redo:

• Made a mistake? Press Command-Z to undo

• Press Command-Shift-Z to redo

• MindMine remembers your actions for comprehensive undo support

 

10. Keyboard Shortcuts Reference

Speed up your workflow with these shortcuts:

 

Creating and Editing:

• Command-M: Add new node

• Double-click: Edit node text

• Return: Finish editing

• Escape: Cancel editing

• Delete: Remove selected node

 

Navigation:

• Command-Plus: Zoom in

• Command-Minus: Zoom out

• Command-0: Reset zoom

• Command-F: Fit to screen

• Command-drag: Pan the canvas

 

Windows:

• Command-I: Toggle Inspector

• Command-O: Toggle Outline window

 

File Operations:

• Command-N: New document

• Command-O: Open document

• Command-S: Save document

• Command-P: Print

 

Editing:

• Command-Z: Undo

• Command-Shift-Z: Redo

 

11. Tips for Creating Great Mind Maps

Start with the Center: Your central node should be your main topic—make it prominent with a larger font or distinctive style.

Use Hierarchy: Main ideas connect to the center, subtopics connect to main ideas, and details connect to subtopics.

Keep It Simple: Use short words or phrases in nodes. Save detailed explanations for the Notes field.

Add Color: Use different colors to categorize themes or show importance. Styles make this easy!

Choose the Right Layout:

• Tree: Best for clear hierarchies and step-by-step processes

• Free: Best for brainstorming and creative exploration

• Circle: Best for showing equal, interconnected concepts

• Left/Right: Best for reading flow or cause-and-effect

Keep Related Items Together: Group similar concepts near each other for better visual organization.

Use the Outline View: Press Command-O to see your map as a text list—great for quick navigation or exporting structure.

 

12. Conclusion

You now have all the basics to start creating beautiful mind maps with MindMine. The best way to learn is by doing:

1. Create your first node with your main topic

2. Add a few child nodes for major ideas

3. Customize colors and styles to make it visually appealing

4. Experiment with different layouts to see what works best

5. Use the Inspector to fine-tune individual nodes