XMind

XMind
Developer(s) XMind Ltd.
Stable release XMind 6 (v3.5.1) / 20th, Nov 2014
Preview release XMind 2013 SE (v3.4.1) / 25th, Jan 2014
Operating system Cross-platform
Platform Java
Type Productivity software, project management and knowledge management
License XMind: Dual license under LGPL v3 and Eclipse Public License v1.0, both open source[1]
XMind Pro: proprietary software
Website www.xmind.net


XMind is a mind mapping and brainstorming software, developed by XMind Ltd. In addition to the management elements, the software can capture ideas, clarify thinking, manage complex information, and promote team collaboration for higher productivity. As of April 2013, XMind was selected as the most popular mind mapping software on Lifehacker. [2]

It supports mind maps, fishbone diagrams, tree diagrams, organization charts, spreadsheets, etc. Normally. it is used for knowledge management, meeting minutes, task management, and GTD. Meanwhile, XMind can read FreeMind and MindManager files, and save to Evernote. For XMind Pro/Plus, it can even export the mind maps into Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, FreeMind and Mindjet MindManager documents.

Features

XMind 6

XMind can create mind maps to visualize information, facilitate communication and manage projects. There are 3 different editions: XMind Free, XMind Plus and XMind Pro. Compared with XMind Free, XMind Plus and XMind Pro have more powerful features.

XMind Free

XMind Free is the open source package, and it supports the users to create mind maps in 10+ different structures freely. The drill down design allows the users to focus on a part of the mind map, and the local networking sharing feature enables users to share XMind files within the same local area network. The free edition also supports the import of MindManager and FreeMind files, export to image and text files. For XMind 6, the latest version, it can evern save the mind map to Evernote. amém

XMind Plus

For XMind Plus, it enables the users to export their mind map to Word, PDF, Image, Excel etc. And the advanced features includes clip art, theme, map shot, map merge, filter, theme editor, and XMind resource bundle. Working with the features above, users can operate their XMind files freely. And it's $79 for one lifetime license of XMind Plus.

XMind Pro

For XMind Pro, it's the all feature edition. In addition to the features of XMind Plus, it supports the user to give presentation, manage project and run brainstorming. The audio notes, encrypt with password, powerful search and index view are also accessible. And it's $99 for one lifetime license of XMind Pro.

The download package from XMind website is the all feature package. And the features of XMind Plus/Pro can only be accessed after activating XMind with corresponding license.

Versions

XMind is dual-licensed under two open source licenses: the Eclipse Public License v1.0 (EPL) and the GNU Lesser General Public License v3 (LGPL).

The latest version is XMind 2012 SE, v3.3.1. A proprietary version called "XMind Pro" is also available, offering certain features which currently remain unavailable in the open source version.[3] XMind Pro 2012 SE requires the user to maintain a license key.[4]

Product/Version Release Date License Platform Language
XMIND 2007 2007-01-01 Commercial license Mac OS X and Windows Chinese (Simplified)
XMIND 2008 v2.3 2008-03-31 Commercial license Mac OS X, Windows and Linux English, German, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional)
XMind 2008 v3.0.3 2009-04-29 EPL and LGPL Mac OS X, Windows and Linux 32bit/64bit English, German, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese
XMind 2008 v3.1.1 2009-12-04 EPL and LGPL Mac OS X, Windows and Linux 32bit/64bit English, German, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese
XMind 2008 v3.2.1[5] 2010-11-22 EPL and LGPL Mac OS X, Windows and Linux 32bit/64bit English, German, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, French, Spanish
XMind 2012 SE v3.3.1 2012-12-25 EPL and LGPL Mac OS X, Windows and Linux 32bit/64bit English, German, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, French, Spanish, Korean, Danish, Slovenian[6]
XMind 2013 SE v3.4.1 2014-01-25 EPL and LGPL Mac OS X, Windows and Linux 32bit/64bit English, German, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, French, Spanish, Korean, Danish, Slovenian, Russian
XMind 6 v3.5.0 2014-10-31 EPL and LGPL Mac OS X, Windows and Linux 32bit/64bit English, German, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, French, Spanish, Korean, Danish, Slovenian, Russian

Awards

Eclipse application

XMind 3 is based on Eclipse Rich Client Platform 3.4 for its shell and Eclipse Graphical Editing Framework for its core editors. It depends on Java Runtime Environment 5.0 and later.

File format

XMind 3 saves content in an XMIND Workbook file format. The .xmind format suffix is used, whereas XMIND 2008 used the .xmap suffix.

An XMIND workbook may contain more than one sheet, as in spreadsheet software. Each sheet may contain multiple topics, including one central topic, multiple main topics and multiple floating topics. Each sheet contains one mind map or Fishbone Chart or Spreadsheet Chart.

The .xmind file format implementing XMind Workbooks consists of a ZIP compressed archive containing an XML document for contents, an XML document for styles, a .png image file for thumbnails, and some directories for attachments. The file format is open and based on some principles of OpenDocument.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "License - XMind: Profession & Powerful Mind Mapping Software". Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  2. ↑ Alan Henry (23 April 2013). "Most Popular Mind Mapping Tool: Xmind".
  3. ↑ "Pricing and Features Comparison Chart". XMind Ltd. Retrieved 21 Nov 2012.
  4. ↑ "XMind introduces version 3.2". the mind mapping software blog. 26 Sep 2010.
  5. ↑ "XMind » Blog Archive » XMind v3.2.1 is ready". 23 November 2010.
  6. ↑ "XMind » Blog Archive » The New XMind 2012". 25 December 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2013.

External links