iThoughts HD: Mind Maps for the iPad

What is iThoughtsHD?

ithoughtsHD is an iPad/iPhone app for creating Mind Maps. The iThoughsHD website has some great examples in the Gallery, and excellent introduction videos.

What is a Mind Map?

Mind Maps are graphical representations of thoughts and idea chains. They are great when you have plenty of ideas, but you’re not sure how they should be organized. Using software like iThoughtsHD lets you get the ideas out. Once on the page or screen it is easier to see the patterns and groups.

There are plenty of uses. Mind Maps are great for outlining any type of writing, putting together plans for an event, working on software requirements, troubleshooting a problem, creating an org chart, the uses are endless.

Key Features of iThoughtsHD

The app is very well designed to work on the iPad. It takes advantage of the touch screen for moving objects around, and keyboard shortcuts make adding content a breeze. For example, space three times to add a child note, return three times for a sibling. Grouping and blocking is easy. Just select a node, open the information panel and select blocking. The application is loaded with features and worth checking out.

The mind maps can be saved in a bunch of formats, and opened on the desktop in other mind mapping software. Also, export to opml (Outline Processor Markup Langauge). That’s perhaps the best part. You can create a great starting outline using iThoughtsHD, then open it in Omni Outliner or Scrivener.

Sending by email also works great. The email includes the outline in text format with notes, the image as a pdf, and original file.

Examples

Check out some of these great mind map examples on flickr. I pulled out a couple of my favorite examples with CC licenses.

Mind Map used to group children’s book requests in a library:

This Post

Yep. I started this post as a mind map in iThoughtsHD.