Launching MYmap
In order to launch MYmap, click the eminec MYmap v.5 icon from the All Programs folder or the All Programs → eminec MYmap v.5 folder found in Windows Start Menu. The icon might be available on your Desktop, too. You can also double-click a map in Windows Explorer to open it using MYmap.
If you cannot find the eminec MYmap v.5 icon, MYmap has to be installed on your computer first. In order to do so, please download the installation package from our Internet site eminec.com, and open it. A wizard will guide you through the process.
If the request Activate MYmap now is displayed, you have to enter a license number first. If you do not have a license number, we will send you a free trial license number or your purchased license number. Click the appropriate link to start the process.
One Word About Editions
MYmap is available in various editions, matching your requirements. Please note that some of the features described in the documentation might not be available in your installation. This will not be mentioned again in the remaining part of the documentation.
Main Window
Image 2-1: Main Window
MYmap uses tabs. This allows you to open multiple maps within a single MYmap window. Each map is shown on its own tab.
- Menu bar (top)
- Tab bar (below the menu bar)
- Tab area (remaining part)
— consisting of:- Toolbar (top, not available on all tabs)
- Task pane (right)
- Content area (remaining part)
— consisting of:- Map area (center)
- Outline area (top left)
- Overview area (bottom left)
- Dynamic help bar (bottom)
This layout applies whenever you have opened a map and shown all elements available. The content area of tabs on which there is no map displayed (such as the Start Center) differs.
Access Task Pane
The Access task pane is being shown when you open MYmap. Here you can rapidly reopen a map that has been recently edited or added to your list of favorites. You can also create new maps.
- Create a new map: Double-click the New Map entry or press Enter (the New Map entry is already selected).
- Show preview: Point to a listed map or press Down to select a listed map.
- Open a listed map: Double-click a listed map or press Down to select a listed map and press Enter.
- Open a map not listed: Double-click the Open another Map entry or press Up to select Open another Map and press Enter.
You need not use the Access task pane to open existing maps or create new ones, you can also use the File menu, keyboard shortcuts or the icons found in the tab bar.
New Map Window
The New Map window allows you to set the name for the map to be created and to select the template to use.
- Specify subject: Enter the subject for your new map into the Name textbox. You can change the name at any time later.
- Select template: Map templates are categorized into (local, network and Internet) folders. Choose the folder from the Folder list first, then the template from the Template list. The template chosen will be shown in the Preview box. There are three types of templates:
- Select Empty Map in order to start with a general template.
- Select Brainstorming in order to initiate a brainstorming session.
- Select a different entry in order to start using this template.
Hint: the Empty Map list entry has already been selected from the Templates list. Click OK or press Enter to apply this general template.
Your First Map: Five Steps
#1 Specify Subject
Start your work with MYmap by specifying the subject of your map. In order to do so, enter Exercise into the Name text box of the New Map window. Confirm with OK. In order to change the subject, select the map center, labeled Exercise, by clicking it. After a short delay, click again, and the insertion point is shown. Type My first map, and confirm using the Enter key. (You can also replace the caption without clicking a second time by just starting typing. Try it: type MYmap Advantages, and press Enter.)
Image 2-2: Specify Subject
#2 Capture Main Topics
Add the main topics of the subject in question. Double-click an empty part of your map, i. e. anywhere except in the map center (but it is a good idea to select a location close to it). MYmap creates a new main branch, connects it to the map center and shows the insertion point. Type easy and press Enter. Create three more main branches in different locations, titled quick, flexible and full-bodied (yes, really: please add full-bodied, too).
Image 2-3: Capture Main Topics
#3 Add Details
Add more keywords to describe the aspects you have just captured in greater detail. In order to do so, point to the main branch labeled easy and perform a double click. MYmap creates a sub-branch, adds it to the easy main branch and shows the insertion point. Type thanks to the help bar. Repeat these steps in order to create two more sub-branches, namely thanks to the outline and because it’s well thought out.
You can continue this process in order to add more information to your map. When you do so, you need not worry about whether all items have been put into the right place: add sub-branches wherever you think they are placed best at first glance. Double-clicking a sub-branch always creates a new outline level. In order to preserve clarity, you should create at most four or five levels in your map. If there is still more information to add, it is a good idea to create multiple maps and connect them using links.
Image 2-4: Add Details
#4 Tidy Map
When you have finished adding your main thoughts, improve your map. There are various things you can do:
- Modify layout: Point to a main branch, press and hold the left mouse button and drag the main branch to its new location (where there must not be any other object).
- Modify structure: Drag a sub-branch to a main branch or another sub-branch. MYmap highlights this target object using a cyan (green) and magenta (red) rectangle. If you point to the cyan part while releasing the mouse button, you will move the dragged object to the same level as the target object. If you point to the magenta area, you will make the dragged object a sub-object of the target object. Try it: move the sub-branch because it’s well thought out to the main branch quick, and release the mouse button while pointing to the magenta area. The sub-branch is no longer assigned to easy, but to quick.
- Delete objects: Point to the main branch flexible. MYmap shows a red cross at the bottom of the object. Double-click it. Delete the main branch full-bodied in the same way (so there!).
- Restore deleted objects: Select Edit → Recycle Bin → Restore »flexible«. MYmap adds the main branch flexible to your map again.
- Undo editing: If anything goes wrong, select Edit → Undo.
Image 2-5: Tidy Map
#5 Share Map
If you are satisfied with your work results, you can pass your map to others. You can find the required commands in the File menu:
- Save: Stores your map in a way so that it can be shown and edited. MYmap is required for opening.
- Export: Stores the map as a picture, a simple web page or pure text. MYmap is not required for opening.
- Send via E-Mail: Combines save with export as a picture and sends this data via your e-mail software.