Basics for Using Inspiration Software (v. 6.0)

By: Tina Cool

Edited by: Dr. Jim Rye

Before you start, use the "Diagram Properties" option to create the features YOU want in your diagram. For example, to change font size, colors, arrowheads, etc., follow these procedures:

*Please note that I when I refer to symbol boxes, the symbol could be any shape you choose from the symbol library, not necessarily a box shape.

1. Click on File
2. Click on Diagram Properties
3. In the Symbol Folder, change the font size by clicking on Font in the bottom right corner. You should use at least 14 to make viewing easy.
4. Click OK for it to take affect.
5. You can change the font size of the linking words by clicking on the Link folder. You may wish to choose a size 12 for linking words.
6. Change color of symbol boxes or other items here if you want to use all symbol boxes a different color than blue.
7. Click on Link in the top file tab.
8. Make changes. For example, if you don’t want an arrowhead on the ending link, click on the arrowhead and choose none.
9. If any more changes are necessary, you can make them here.
10. Click OK to go to work.

To begin making the concept map:

1. Type in the Main Idea. The main idea can not be erased, but can be moved or changed. The main idea can be changed when you have two or more symbols in the diagram. This is done by clicking on the symbol that will become the new main idea, click on "symbol" at the top of the page, & select "change main idea" on the drag down menu bar. *If it hasn’t made the changes you stated, you will need to go back to Diagram Properties and check your settings, or change them using the menu bar at the top of the page.
2. To type the next concept, just click anywhere and start typing.
3. To link concepts, click on the main idea to get red boxes to appear. Click on a diamond & drag to the next symbol until gray squares appear, then just let it up & the link will appear.
4. To use linking words, just double-click on the dotted line box & type in the word.
5. To delete any link or concept, click on it & hit the delete or backspace key or go to Edit, cut/clear
6. To change the size of a symbol box, click on the symbol to get red squares to appear. Use the bottom squares. Click on one & drag out to the size you want.
7. To change sizes of text of an individual symbol box, click on the text you want to change, then click Format at the top of the page. To change size, click on it & chose a size.
8. To move a symbol, click on it & drag to where you want it to be.
9. To move several symbol boxes at the same time, click on one symbol, hold the shift button down & click on all symbols you want to move with it. Let up on the shift button. Then click on one symbol & drag to where you want them placed.
10. To change color click on the symbol box, click Effect at the top of the page. Choose fill color or other to make changes needed.
11. To make changes to all text, symbols, or links at the same time, click Edit, then Select All. Follow the above procedures to complete the change.
12. To add pictures to the diagram, if the symbol library is not visible, click on View at the top & click Symbol Palette.
13. To use a picture, scroll through the symbol library using the arrow buttons at the top. To add the picture, click on the symbol box & then just click on the picture you want.
14. To embed a concept map (or another diagram) inside this concept map, click on the symbol box, then on the red box in the top right hand corner. Follow the same procedure to make a concept inside that symbol box.
15. To embed notes into the concept, click on the concept until the red boxes appear, then click on the red box in the top left corner. *These notes will print out if you turn the diagram into an outline.
16. To change the diagram into an outline, click on the word Outline at the top of the page. You can also add notes or other information here. To get back to the diagram, just click the word diagram at the top of the page.
17. To make the concept map fit on one page, click on File, Print Options, & choose Fit to 1 Page. Click OK.
18. To change paper from Portrait to Landscape mode, click on File, Page Setup, & the word Landscape. Click OK.
19. To view entire map, click on File, Print Preview. Click cancel to return.

• You can bring pictures into the concept map from the Internet or other clip art by copying and pasting, or you can add it to the symbol library for future use. Refer to the User’s Guide for more instructions.
• This is only a description of a few uses of Inspiration. There are plenty of others. To find others, refer to the User’s Guide or just start using the program.