We have just released a new live version of Topicscape Pro (1.3), a new Pro Beta (1.52) and new Skins installers that will work with Pro and Beta.Here’s an outline of what these installers will give our users.

Topicscape Pro Beta 1.52

The release of Topicscape Pro Beta 1.52 is a stability release that’s closing in on Release Candidate 1.

1. The duplicate-file checking user interface has been extended and, we believe, is much improved.
2. Other user interface improvements suggested by users have been implemented.
3. Data Repair has been extended to check new data.
4. The default skins for Pro Beta have been changed. New skins are available - see below.
5. And some bug fixes have been applied

Topicscape Pro 1.3 (Live) This is a partial release to Live of some of the items previously released and tested in our current Beta 1.5.

1. FreeMind export and import: This is a major new feature. It allows for complete interchangeability between 2D mindmaps in FreeMind and 3D mindmaps in Topicscape, including round trips (e.g. export to FreeMind, make some changes, import back to Topicscape).
2. We have changed the default skin
3. The F6 key will hide all non-flagged topics in the ‘Scape, allowing you to quickly home in on the ones that you have marked as important.
4. The Caps Lock key now acts like a toggle for Quickzoom. You can press Caps lock, then click around on topic cones to zoom into several areas without having to hold down the shift key. When you have found where you want to be, keep the mouse button down, and press CapsLock again.
5. Thumb drives (memory sticks) can now be used with Topicscape.
6. When you’re in the Topic Center, you can now double-left-click on the wall of the cone or on the floor to return to the ‘Scape.
7. There is now an option to check for updates. Go to Tools | Options | User Preferences and near the foot of the panel you will see a checkbox “Auto-check for updates every day”. If you check this box, then on the first run of any 24-hour period, Topicscape will check at our web site to see if a new update is available. If one is, it will open a browser at the page for downloads. You will need to give Topicscape permission to access the web for this to work, but it will need that for MHT-file making anyway. This option is off at installation, but on the first run after installation (only), Topicscape will ask if you want to turn it on.
8. The default skins for Pro are now Crystal and Smoky Plastic. “Classic” has been moved to the skins installer.

The new Live version of Topicscape Pro is available here:
http://www.topicscape.com/tnc.php?productID=14&downloadID=14

Topicscape Pro Skins

There is a new installer that replaces the previous Skins installer.Just download it and install – no other steps needed.This contains all the previous skins, plus two new ones: Lite and Graph paper.

1. “Lite” is included for users who have upgraded from Topicscape Lite to Pro, but who don’t want to change the appearance of Topicscape.
2. “Graph paper” is based on a user suggestion and provides an interesting contrast to the shiny metal surfaces of some other skins.The Graph paper ‘ground’ goes well with some existing models and textures, and being light and neutral in color offers many possibilities for you to tailor Topicscape’s appearance to your taste.
3. Classic has been moved.

The skins installer has now been changed to install into Topicscape Pro Live and Topicscape Pro Beta.  Whichever you have installed (one or both) you can choose to update and make the skins available.

The Skins installer is here:
http://www.topicscape.com/downloadFile.php?productID=13&appID=7

A note about Intel drivers

We identified an issue in a recent Intel graphics driver that affects Topicscape operation.Intel have acknowledged this as a problem but have not yet given a date for release of a fixed driver. Fortunately there is an earlier version that works with Topicscape (see http://www.topicscape.com/faq.php#Q48).  Intel have said that they will advise us when a correct version is on line.  A new version was made available in early May but we wish to emphasize that this does not solve the problem – we have tested it.  If you are using the earlier Intel driver recommended in our FAQs, please stick with it.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 at 12:04 am and is filed under mindmapping, Announcements, Topicscape, Concept maps. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.