All image rights: Apple, XMind.When it comes to mind mapping, there are
two types of people: those who swear by it,
and those who have never used mind maps
or just can’t get along with them. Those
groups further sub-divide when it comes to
mind mapping on a computer, whether it’s a
Mac or a mobile device — mind mapping just
doesn’t translate brilliantly from paper to
the digital realm.
Lighten is XMind’s attempt to bridge
that gap, and bring people who still mind
map on paper into the digital fold. Not
only does it allow you to scan paper mind
maps using your iPhone camera ($2.99/
month subscription required to sync with the
Mac version) and add them to your library, it
has multiple diļerent “themes”, several
of which are designed to make paper
mappers feel right at home by mimicking
hand drawn maps.
Other features are those you would expect
in a mind mapping tool. Creating new maps
is easy, and adding new nodes, moving them,
and re–drawing links is not only simple, it’sLighten
Mind mapping on paper? Lighten may just turn you
Free (IAPs) From XMind, xmind.net
Needs macOS 10.12 or later; 64–bit processorLIGHTEN
Easy to use
Can scan paper
mind maps
Good sharing options
Lacks in–depth features
GREATintuitive too. We found that we were able to
pick it up and start using it with no trouble at
all. We liked the fact that even once we’d
chosen a theme for a mind map, we could
change fonts, branch styles, and colors from
the styles panel. And re–arranging nodes and
branches is as easy as dragging them around
the screen.
One of the big problems with mind
mapping on a computer is that they tend
to sprawl and get very large, but zooming
in and out is easy using gestures on a
trackpad or by pressing Cmd-+ and Cmd- -.
Once you’ve created your map, you can
share it as Markdown, PNG, PDF, or
XMind formats.
Lighten isn’t the kind of mind mapping
tool that’s going to make regular mind
mappers switch from their favorite tool — it
lacks in-depth features. For example,
we couldn’t Ľnd any way to change a node
from a ľoating topic to a sub–topic.
However, for anyone who likes the idea, but
has struggled with the practice on a
computer or mobile device, it might just be
the entry point they need.
THE BOTTOM LINE. Lighten is a great way
to get into mind mapping on a digital device
and may persuade those still mapping on
paper. KENNY HEMPHILLCreating and working with
mind maps in Lighten is
very easy and intuitive.There are a number of different themes, dark and light, to
choose from.
Reviews
46 AUG 2019 maclife.com