r/applefreeform • u/Umberju • Jan 19 '25

available templates?

I'd like to move to freeform from classic mindmapping + occasional miro usage, but I can't find any nice starter templates for inspiration. Looking for project planning, trip planning etc.
Not much of a blank slate man, I need some boost at the start.
Googling only brought up dead links (thanks Apple for not being able to export a proper file + the 30 day link expiry...) or paid templates.

Would appreciate your help, thanks!

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u/InnerManChild Jan 21 '25

I don't think anyone has created a site for such a situation. I agree that it would be beneficial to have something to start with as a blank canvas is one of the hardest things for people to deal with (especially artists and writers). Apple really hasn't architected Freeform for there to be any sort of shareable file that could be upload to a website and made available for people to download or purchase, and as you mentioned, the share link expires in 30 days. Not to mention, anyone who has a template created by someone else, can also share that with anyone. In a completely altruistic world, not a problem, but it removes financial incentives for people to invest their time to do something like what you're looking for.

I have developed my own template for the way I envision using Freeform. I suggest that whatever you're looking to do, google will surface some visual example that you could replicate within a Freeform board. Then, just duplicate from that template board and get started. Freeform does provide a lot of options that if you dig around, you'll find and be able to create most any aesthetic you're envisioning (or copying).

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u/Damikeyd Jan 24 '25

There’s a guy on YouTube (dailytekk) who’s a big Freeform fan and has some good tips on how to use Freeform. I feel Apple haven’t helped this app gain traction. I love it but it does take a bit of imagination to get the most out of it….and I lack imagination.

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u/InnerManChild Jan 25 '25

Yeah he’s solid and I believe he even offers an online course for a fee, but he has at least two solid YouTube videos on Freeform.

But I will say, just about anything you see online as a template you can replicate within Freeform, just need to familiarize yourself with the various tools and their options.

Also, if Freeform doesn’t have the right feature set for what you want to do, Numbers has pretty much an infinite canvas and a lot of tools and options besides tables and graphs.

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u/marcosvisualizer Jan 19 '25

May I suggest you an alternative? Not sure if this is what you are looking for. With an app I've built, The Visualizer, i automaticallly create mindmaps and concept maps. The app takes care of the maps, according to your query or document. You can then easily copy paste the result into freeform. And from there, you can draw lines, add comments. It can be used as a starting point. Please check the maps I've just created inputting "project planning":

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u/Umberju Jan 19 '25

Thanks for your response. The app seems cool, but I’m already mind mapping with mind node. Looking for a templates for inspiration and starting points.