Topic shape and color

You can set the topic shape and fill color for individual topics using either the formatting toolbar or the Format command on the main menu.

To format topic shape and color:

1. Select the topic(s).

2. Use the formatting toolbar buttons at the bottom of the window to set the topic colors and shape:
   line color fill/highlight color   and shape

Note: If you don't see the formatting toolbar, right-click on any toolbar and check the Formatting option to display it.

For more formatting options:

1. Do one of the following:

• Right-click on the topic and select Format Topic.

• Select the topic(s) and click Format - Topic.

2. On the Shape and Color tab, choose the desired attributes for the topic (including color transparency, not available via the toolbar).

• Its usually best to use MindManager's basic shapes in your maps as they are designed specifically for this purpose, but if you require a special shape image you can  use a custom shape. Note that you cannot change the line or fill colors for custom shapes.

  If you choose the Custom shape option in the shapes list, you can use a shape from the MindManager Library or from an image file. You have the option to save the image to the MindManager Library for easy re-use.

  Note: Line color and Fill color do not apply to custom shapes.

  To use custom shapes from the Library:

  1. Select the topic(s) whose shape you want to change.

  2. Open the Library pane (click the Library tab).

  3. Click the Shapes folder.

  4. Select the shape to use for the selected topic(s) from the lower pane.

  To apply a custom shape:

  1. Choose the Custom Image entry in the shapes list .

  2. Navigate to the image file and click Insert.

  To save a custom shape in the Library:

  1. Click the Save Image button in the Format Topic Shape and Color dialog (this option is not available via the formatting toolbar).

  2. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the image (usually in or under the Library Shapes folder) and click Save.

  3. The custom shape will be added to the Library for easy re-use.

   

• Your choice of Line color effects the topic's connecting lines and shape outline color.

• The Fill color is used as a highlight (for topics without shapes) or inside the topic shape, and you can set its transparency here.

3. Use the Style button if you wish to:

• Save all the topic's format settings as the default style for topics of the same type at this level. The settings become part of the current map's style. All existing topics at this level assume these attributes (unless they have been individually formatted), as will any new topics you create. You will see these new attributes reflected if you use the Modify Style command.

• Reset all of the topic's formatting to the defaults of the current style.

Hint: Fill colors can be used as map markers to classify topics on your map (for example a topic in with red fill means "critical task"). See Code topics for more information on using markers.