Formatting the Mind Map
It may be useful to zoom out so that the entire chart can be seen while formatting. Use the
zoom tool on the work area title bar.
If the chart is not already centered in the work area, use the Center in Work Area
button, which can be found in the Page Setup group of the
Page tab.
Now that all of the boxes have been added, organize the mind map to make it more attractive.
Our mind map is bulky on the left side. To balance it out, switch the topics "Service" and
"Advertising." First, move "Advertising" to the right side by clicking and holding down the
left mouse button on its Topic box, and dragging it towards the right side of the Main Topic
box. As the box being dragged approaches the Main Topic box, Connection Points on
dashed lines will appear, showing different attachment points where the box can be attached.
Release the box when you see it is locked to one of these points and SmartDraw moves the
object to the new location, perfectly arranged.
Moving a Topic
"Advertising" and "Service" are now both on the right side. To move "Service" to the
left side, use the same procedure. If you prefer to have a "Location" or "Service"
on top, move "Service" to the appropriate connection point on the left.
Rearranging Topics
The result is a much more visually attractive, balanced, shape. Normally, a mind map would
most likely be larger and filled in, but this type of organization is still recommended.
Balancing the Mind Map
In order to make the mind map fit on a page, you can increase or decrease the angle
between Topic branches. To do this, first click on the branch to select it. Two
black boxes (control handles) will appear on the edge of each of the boxes linked t
o the branch. Click and drag the control handle at the junction of the arrow and
the box to change the angle of the branches while maintaining the box's vertical
position and links; the branches become longer or shorter to accommodate this.
The handle that doesn't touch the arrow maintains the boxes' horizontal position
when pulled.
Shifting Mind Map Topics Up or Down
If your mind map is getting crowded, you can temporarily collapse branches that you
aren't using. Every box with subordinates attached to it has a small
icon near where those subordinates are attached. Simply click on this icon to
collapse (hide) this branch. To expand (reveal) the branch again, simply click on
the
icon.
Collapsing and Expanding a Branch