New HeadCase software program achieves look and feel of hand-drawn mind maps

By Chuck Frey

One of the shortcomings of computer-generated mind maps is that they don't usually convey the wild, colorful creativity of hand-drawn maps. That's now starting to change with the introduction of HeadCase, a new mind mapping program for Windows that comes closer to achieving the look and feel of hand-drawn maps.

In this "first look" article, we'll take a brief look at what makes HeadCase special, as well as some of its potential shortcomings.

What's notable

What is most unique about HeadCase is the way in which it renders map branches and branch text. Instead of the standard black branch containing black, plain text, HeadCase creates colorful branches, with brightly-colored text that follows the curvature of each branch. When highlighted, branches display several grab handles, which can be used to reshape them, almost at will. In addition, the program provides convenient right-click access to all branch and text properties, including branch color and thickness and text color, font, style and outline style. You can even apply faded or texture fills to branch text!

According to the developer, HeadCase makes extensive use of ActiveX controls, which enables users to assign multiple "embellishments" or properties to individual map elements. It also opens the door for other developers to easily write plug-ins for HeadCase to extend its capabilities.

The user interface

The HeadCase user interface is fairly typical for mind mapping software program: A large work area dominates the screen, while a narrow vertical pane on the left side of the screen contains a library of objects, templates and other resources that you can use when creating mind maps.

The program's toolbar requires a little bit of a learning curve, because many of its buttons are unfamiliar at first. Still, the toolbar does a good job of placing buttons for the most common tasks in a convenient location.

The library pane includes HeadCase components, such has Basic Ordering Ideas, branches, free text blocks and free pictures; embellishments (such as faded fill, outline and textured fill), links (including URL, links document and external document) and clip art. I found this part of the user interface to be somewhat confusing, because it contains a combination of objects that can be added to your map, plus program functions that should probably be located in the program's toolbar, not in the library.

HeadCase adheres tightly to Tony Buzan's principles of mind mapping, right down to referring to first-level topics as "Basic Ordering Ideas" -- the first time I've seen this concept used in a mind mapping program. While this level of devotion is admirable, it may create confusion for first-time (and even experienced) users -- because it's unclear what the difference is between a branch and a basic ordering idea.

New branches and sub-branches can be added quickly in several ways, including the insert key (which has become something of a de facto standard for mind mapping software programs), using toolbar icons or by dragging and dropping branch elements from the library pane to your map workspace. Finally, you can use right-click to “create branch to here,” which adds a branch with its end point at the position of the cursor – a unique feature that I have never seen in any other mind mapping program.

What needs improvement

Like any version 1.0 software program, HeadCase shows a lot of promise, but isn’t perfect in all respects. Here are a few of the things that I think need some improvement. Fortunately, I discovered that developer Elliott Bignell is very open to suggestions – he really does want HeadCase to be the best mind mapping program that it can be.

Branch and text default settings: When you first are using the program, it defaults to branches and text that are both colored red. When you add text to the branch, it doesn't float above the branch but is joined to it. This created some text readability problems for me, especially when I reshaped branches. I found that this text became distorted, further hampering readability. Fortunately, it’s easy to change branch and text properties, and HeadCase “remembers” the settings you last used on your map the next time you open it. But it would be nice if, the first time a user opens HeadCase, if the branches and text would be represented in contrasting colors.

Advanced text formatting: Some text formatting features were easy to use, such as adjusting the text color and branch color. But other parameters, such as setting a text outline color, were difficult to find.

Conclusion

Developer Elliott Bignell set out to create an affordable software program can create mind maps that appeared to be hand drawn, and which closely follow Tony Buzan’s mind mapping principles. With the exception a few usability concerns, noted above, HeadCase is a solid first effort. It will be interesting to see how many developers will take advantage of the flexible ActiveX platform he has created to write plug-ins to extend the program’s functionality.

HeadCase is available in two versions: SmartAce (advanced) and Beginner. The SmartAce version includes a rich set of properties for formatting the components of your maps, more advanced capabilities for shaping and curving branches and the ability to show or hide the various formatting options to make the best use of screen real estate.  The Beginner version features a simplified set of properties for formatting the components of your maps, and lacks the advanced shape and recurve options for branches. Both versions may be purchased from the Buzan Centre Web site; the Beginner version is £20 (approximately US$36) and the SmartAce version is £33.19 (about US$60). A 21-day downloadable trial of both versions is also available.

Published on 7/28/2004

Rating:
Summary HeadCase offers some unique capabilities. It's a strong first effort, and will hopefully get better with time.
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