Developer(s) XMind Ltd. Platform Java | Operating system | |
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Stable release XMind 8 (v3.7.0) / 2th, Nov 2016 Type Productivity software, project management and knowledge management License XMind: Dual license under LGPL v3 and Eclipse Public License v1.0, both open source
XMind Pro: proprietary software | ||
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.
Contents
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 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. XMind 6 and later can also save the mind map to Evernote.
XMind Plus
XMind Plus enables the users to export their mind maps to Word, PDF, Image, Excel etc., and the advanced features include 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 by paying $79 for one lifetime license.
XMind Pro
XMind Pro is 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. The lifetime license costs $99.
The download package from XMind website is the all-feature package. The features of XMind Plus/Pro can only be accessed after activating XMind with the 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 XMind 8, v3.7.0. A proprietary version called "XMind Pro" is also available, offering certain features which currently remain unavailable in the open source version. XMind Pro 2012 SE requires the user to maintain a license key.
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.