Documentation

Concept Mapping

Mental is a concept mapping app for the iPad.

Concept maps organize knowledge in the form of a graph of concepts.

Concepts are represented as a noun phrase enclosed in a rectangular box.

They are connected to other concept boxes by links labeled with a verb or conjunction. These links represent relationships between the connected concepts. Concept boxes may have relationships to and from several other concept boxes, creating a graph of concepts, or concept map.

Mental Features

Users create concept maps as autosaved documents. In a concept map, they are able to create and remove concept boxes, edit the enclosed text, and move the boxes at will around a zoomable and pannable canvas.

They can create relationships to connect the concepts, a relationship being represented by at least three graphical objects:

• an editable label signifying the relationship;
• one or more edges connecting the ‘subject’ concepts to the label;
• one or more edges connecting the label to the ‘object’ concepts.

Users are able to move the labels at will, the edge connections being preserved. They may remove relationships as a whole, or individual edges while preserving the relationship.

Other features:

• export to pdf and sharing
• map style chooser (font, color scheme)

Managing Maps

How do I create a map?

1. Tap the < button in the top left corner of the interface : the Maps pane appears, that shows you a list of the maps saved on your iPad.

2. Tap the + button in the top right corner of the Maps pane: the Maps pane disappears, and a new map appears with a default name.

How do I rename an existing map?

Open the map and click its title to change it.

How do I delete an existing map?

1. Tap the < button in the top left corner of the interface : the Maps pane appears, that shows you a list of the maps saved on your iPad.

2. Tap Edit in the top left corner of the Maps pane: the Maps pane is now in edition mode, you are able to delete or duplicate your maps.

3. Tap the row representing the map you want to duplicate: it becomes visibly selected. Now tap the trashcan button in the bottom left corner of the Maps pane: an action sheet appears, that allows you to confirm or cancel the deletion.

How do I duplicate an existing map?

1. Tap the < button in the top left corner of the interface : the Maps pane appears, that shows you a list of the maps saved on your iPad.

2. Tap Edit in the top left corner of the Maps pane: the Maps pane is now in edition mode, you are able to delete or duplicate your maps.

3. Tap the row representing the map you want to duplicate: it becomes visibly selected. Now tap the + button in the bottom right corner of the Maps pane: a copy of your selected map appears in the map list.

4. Tap Done to exit edition mode. You can now work on the copy of your original map. To rename it, tap its title.

Editing Maps

How do I add a concept box?

Tap the + button in the toolbar. This will insert a box in the middle of the visible part of the map, and open it in edition mode.

To add a box anywhere on a map, tap that location, and select Add Concept from the concept menu.

How do I move one or more boxes?

Depending on the app settings, you may have to select them first to move them.

If Movement Without Selection is left unchecked in the App Settings, you will have to select them first, by tapping them. Then simply drag them around.

If Movement Without Selection is checked in the App Settings, you can simply drag a box around, without prior selection.

The Movement Without Selection option adds fluidity when beginning a new map. When the map gets bigger, and you need more control, it’s better to uncheck that option.

How do I enlarge a map?

Simply drag boxes around to enlarge the map. This will only work if you have more than one box, though.

How do I edit the text in a box or label?

Tap the box to select it. Tap Edit in its context menu. Alternatively, perform a double-tap on the box.

How do I connect boxes?

Tap the origin box to select it. Tap Connect in its context menu; the box blinks red indicating it’s in connection mode. Tap the destination box to create the connection.

To add a connector without a label, perform a double-tap on the destination box, instead of a single-tap.

How do I select one or more boxes?

To select a single box, simply tap that box. A green ring appears, indicating the selected state.

To select multiple boxes, tap to select/deselect them. You will then be able to move or delete them in unison.

To deselect all currently selected boxes, tap an empty area of the map.

How do I add a hyperlink to a concept box?

Tap the box to select it. Tap Edit in its context menu. Alternatively, perform a double-tap on the box.

Type or paste in a valid hyperlink in the input accessory view. You can check the link by tapping the Open button in the input accessory view.

How do I navigate to the hyperlink of a concept box?

Tap the box to select it. Tap Open link in its context menu. Alternatively, perform a triple-tap on the box.

How does snapping work?

Snapping will help you align boxes horizontally and vertically. In addition, it lets you align connection labels with the parent and child concepts.

Styling Maps

How do I style a map as a whole?

Tap the Paintbrush button in the toolbar. The style menu appears, that allows you to change style settings for concepts, relationships, and connectors.

Style options include :

• Font face,
• Text size,
• Text color,
• Fill color,
• Stroke color,
• Stroke width.

How do I style a single element or a group of elements?

Select the elements you wish to style. Tap the Paintbrush button in the toolbar.