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 Free VUE Software 

1. Free Download for Mac, Windows and/or Linux
2. Install VUE on your computer

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Create & Save A New Map 

1. Open VUE > New Map
2. File > Save As [MapName.vue]
3. Make regular saves to ensure your work is preserved

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Create A New Node/Concept - with label 

1. [Press Key] N (Node tool) > Click-&-Drag to form a new Node
2. name node by typing to replace blue box
3. To choose Shape of Node: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Shape > choose shape
4. To choose Colour of Node: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Color > choose from palette
5. click outside node

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Create A New Node - without label 

1. [Press Key] N (Node tool) > Click-&-Drag to form a new Node
2. [hit] Delete key to avoid naming node
3. To choose Shape of Node: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Shape > choose shape
4. To choose Colour of Node: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Color > choose from palette
5. click outside node

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Link 2 Concepts to Show Relationships Between Nodes/Concepts 

1. [Press Key] L (link mode tool); or highlight white arrow > Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) > drag from one node to other
2. Click inside one node, drag to other node, release mouse click when 2nd node turns green
3. Type relationship phrase in blue label
4. To choose which end of link has arrow > Windows > Formatting Pallette > e.g. Start: none, End: >; for a 2-way arrow, choose Start <, End >
5. To choose Shape of Link: > Windows > Formatting Pallette >LInk > e.g. straight, one curve, mutli-curve
6. To choose Line Weight of Link: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Weight > e.g. 0, 1-6 pixels
7. To choose Type of Line of Link: > Windows > Formatting Pallette > Stroke > e.g. solid, dotted, dashed
8. click outside node

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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)

1. Right-Click Node > Add Image/File [find image to link to]

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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)

1. Right-Click in the top section of original node > Add URL

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Create Static Background Image 

1. How To Create a Static Background Image (Wendy Anthony's Uni 102 Community Mapping assignment: "My UVic Community Network")

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Node Inside A Node 

1. [Press Key] N (Node tool) > Click-&-Drag to form a Node
2. name node by typing to replace blue box
3. click outside node
4. [Press Key] N (Node tool) > Click-&-Drag to form a new Node
5. name node by typing to replace blue box
6. click outside node
7. Click-Drag-&-Drop new Node inside of original Node (original Node turns green when ready to accept the drop)

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Rapid Prototyping Tool 

(This tool draws a link from an existing node and creates a new node.)

1. [Press Key] R OR Click the Rapid Prototyping tool (the fourth tool from the left on the toolbar)
2. Click an existing node
3. Drag out into the window. The link is created and extended
4. Release the mouse. A linked node is created
5. Type a name for the node
6. Click the link
7. Type a label for the link
8. Save

To use the keyboard shortcut for Prototyping Tool

1. Click the Selection tool. The cursor changes to an arrow
2. Click on the node and hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac)
3. Drag out to empty canvas and release. A new link and node is created

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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)

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VUE Applet 

1. Online VUE Applet

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