How To Create A Digital Concept Map using VUE
VUE (Visual Understanding Environment), is a free Concept Mapping software, used by many academic institutions to facilitate learning. VUE can also be used to create interactive maps (see Community Mapping Network Map)
Download VUE | Create/Save A Map | Create New Node (with label) | Create New Node (no label) | Link 2 Concepts | Add an Image | Add an URL | Static Background | Node Inside A Node | Rapid Prototyping Tool | Keyboard Shortcuts | VUE Applet
Download Free VUE Software
- Free Download for Mac, Windows and/or Linux
- Install VUE on your computer
Create & Save A New Map
- Open VUE > New Map
- File > Save As [MapName.vue]
- Make regular saves to ensure your work is preserved
Create A New Node/Concept - with label
- [Press Key] N (Node tool) > Click-&-Drag to form a new Node
- name node by typing to replace blue box
- To choose Shape of Node: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Shape > choose shape
- To choose Colour of Node: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Color > choose from palette
- click outside node
Create A New Node - without label
- [Press Key] N (Node tool) > Click-&-Drag to form a new Node
- [hit] Delete key to avoid naming node
- To choose Shape of Node: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Shape > choose shape
- To choose Colour of Node: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Color > choose from palette
- click outside node
Link 2 Concepts to Show Relationships Between Nodes/Concepts
- [Press Key] L (link mode tool); or highlight white arrow > Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) > drag from one node to other
- Click inside one node, drag to other node, release mouse click when 2nd node turns green
- Type relationship phrase in blue label
- To choose which end of link has arrow > Windows > Formatting Pallette > e.g. Start: none, End: >; for a 2-way arrow, choose Start <, End >
- To choose Shape of Link: > Windows > Formatting Pallette >LInk > e.g. straight, one curve, mutli-curve
- To choose Line Weight of Link: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Weight > e.g. 0, 1-6 pixels
- To choose Type of Line of Link: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Stroke > e.g. solid, dotted, dashed
- click outside node
Add an Image
(Note: by default, each Node is only allowed either an image or an URL link, not both; see Create VUE Node Containing Both Image & Web Link)
- Right-Click Node > Add Image/File [find image to link to]
Add an URL (to create an Interactive Map)
(Note: by default, each Node is only allowed either an image or an URL link, not both; see Create VUE Node Containing Both Image & Web Link)
- Right-Click in the top section of original node > Add URL
Create Static Background Image
- How To Create a Static Background Image (Wendy Anthony's Uni 102 Community Mapping assignment: "My UVic Community Network")
Node Inside A Node
- [Press Key] N (Node tool) > Click-&-Drag to form a Node
- name node by typing to replace blue box
- click outside node
- [Press Key] N (Node tool) > Click-&-Drag to form a new Node
- name node by typing to replace blue box
- click outside node
- Click-Drag-&-Drop new Node inside of original Node (original Node turns green when ready to accept the drop)
Rapid Prototyping Tool
(This tool draws a link from an existing node and creates a new node.)
- [Press Key] R OR Click the Rapid Prototyping tool (the fourth tool from the left on the toolbar)
- Click an existing node
- Drag out into the window. The link is created and extended
- Release the mouse. A linked node is created
- Type a name for the node
- Click the link
- Type a label for the link
- Save
To use the keyboard shortcut for Prototyping Tool
- Click the Selection tool. The cursor changes to an arrow
- Click on the node and hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac)
- Drag out to empty canvas and release. A new link and node is created
Keyboard Shortcuts
- [Press Key] N > Node tool (to create node/concept)
- [Press Key] L > Link mode tool (to create link between nodes)
- [Press Key] R > Rapid prototyping tool (to create link with node at end)
- [Press Key] S > Select tool (to move nodes or links)
VUE Applet
- Online VUE Applet