Custom links between nodes

When you create mindmaps, relationships exist like parent-child or child-parent or siblings. This all has been hierarchical

relationships. When you create large maps you might want to associate nodes in non-hierarchical way. That is, defining new relationships outside parent-child or siblings way.

Consider the following map to get an idea.

This association can be defined with the new 'link' tool in mindmaze.

To create a link between nodes, there is couple of ways

1. Click on a node to select it which you think, the start of the connection. Then click on another node in the mindmap while holding Alt key, Ctrl or Cmd key. (Different key options are provided so that this feature works platform-independently and across different browsers.

2. Click on a node to select it which will be the start of the connection. Then click on the Connect Tool on the toolbar (which has arrow pointing at both ends). You will now notice that when you move the mouse pointer to another node, the cursor changes. It has an additional arrow image. Now click on another node which will be the end of the connection.

Remember connection is only made if there is no existing connection between those nodes. (like parent-child)

After the connection is made, you will see a new line connecting both nodes. You can ofcourse change properties of this connection by clicking on the line. A new mini toolbar appears around the line.

Click on the colored rectangle to change the color of the line. Click on 'Arrow mark' button to have an arrow pointing to the end of the connection. This comes in handy so that you can make out which is the 'Start' node and 'End' node. Using Connection button you can change the style of the link to dashed line (default) or solid line. Clicking on the red X button will remove the link.

Let us know what you think about this feature on different communities (facebook or twitter or google), we'd love to hear your comments.