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In addition to our drag-and-drop authoring tool, you may find it helpful to write nodemap files in a text editor on your computer, and then import them. When you are editing your nodemap, from the Edit Content tab, you can choose Import/Export, which looks like this:
You can import and export as needed to preview and check your work. The syntax is similar to using an outline. Remember to save as a "text" file, with a ".txt" or ".nmf" file extension. Here is a simple example:
+ Level A (central node) :: Descriptive text ++ Level 1 (child to central node) :: Descriptive text +++ Level a (child to Level 1 node) :: Descriptive text +++ Level a (child to Level 1 node) :: Descriptive text ++++ Level i (childe to Level a node) :: Descriptive text ++++ Level i (childe to Level a node) :: Descriptive text
The following are the available syntax you can use to represent your nodemap in coded text format. All are optional.
+(+) - Node label; The +’s correspond to the levels for nodes
:: - Node Description; can be multiple lines. "<" and ">" appear as written.
::<html> To use with HTML, e.g.: <b>bold</b>, and <i>italic</i>
@@ - This defines a node’s internal "reference"
e.g., "shortlabel1"; it is used by ">>".
>> - Link to another node; you can link to one or more nodes
}} - URL to web page; only one for node
"Go to page" button appears as:
}}http://www.yoursite.com|Your button text to override the button
Note: Add an exclamation point to open in a new window,
e.g. }}http://www.yoursite.com!|Open in a new window
)) - Link to another nodemap; "Go to nodes" button appears
!! - Comments for your private use; cannot be viewed in public
## - Defines a URL for an image or HTML for a node;
e.g. "node1image.jpg" or "node1content.html".
Images appear above descriptions, and HTML replaces descriptions
~~ - Defines a URL for the sound for a node; e.g. "node1sound.mp3"
== - Defines text for the connector
0x - Append "0x" string to the label; e.g. " 0xcceeff".
0x112233 sets the node’s text color, (color).
0x112233,0x223344 sets the node’s text color AND bgcolor, (color, color2)
Members with paid Organization and Enterprise memberships have some additional syntax options, whereby the connectors between nodes can be customized. There are three options, other than the normal: Stronger, Lighter, Effect. e.g.,
==lighter;light connector text ==stronger;bold connector text ==effect;connector text
The text before the ";" affects the visual style of the connector.
We previously discussed how to place text using the SpicyNodes syntax and author interface. Using an abbreviated form of our fruit cocktail outline, the syntax would look like this:
+ Where in the World Does Fruit Come From? :: Thanks to the global marketplace, our selection of fruit goes beyond that which is grown locally. We can now enjoy fresh fruit year round, but do you know where different fruits originated? Click a region to find out. ++ Temperate regions :: The temperate regions of the world are between the tropics and the Earth’s poles. Most of our fruit comes from these areas, since the trees and shrubs need changing seasons and cold weather in order to flower and grow their delicious treats. Choose the type of fruit you’d like to know more about. +++ The core of the pome :: Pome fruits are characterized by a fleshy outer area surrounding a central core containing seeds. Click on a fruit to learn more about the pome. ++++ Apple :: Text goes here ++++ Chokeberry :: Text goes here ++++ Loquat :: Text goes here +++ Leave no stone unturned :: As their name implies, stone fruits have flesh or pulp that surrounds an inner pit, or stone. ++++ Apricot :: Text goes here ++++ Cherry :: Text goes here ++++ Chokecherry :: Text goes here +++ Berried treasures :: Berries are small delights packed with flavor. They can have a few or many small, edible seeds. True berries are part of the Ericaceae family, but most people also consider bramble fruits like the blackberry and raspberry part of the berry family. ++++ Rubus :: Text goes here +++++ Blackberry :: Text goes here +++++ Cloudberry :: Text goes here +++++ Loganberry :: Text goes here +++++ Raspberry :: Text goes here ++++ Ericaceae :: Text goes here +++++ Bearberry :: Text goes here +++++ Bilberry :: Text goes here +++++ Blueberry :: Text goes here ++++ Other berries :: Text goes here +++++ Acai :: Text goes here +++++ Barberry :: Text goes here +++++ Currant :: Text goes here ++ Asia :: Text goes here ++ North America :: Text goes here ++ The Mediterranean :: Text goes here ++ The Tropics :: Text goes here
