Mind Map Converter

Overview

This project provides a Python script (mindmapconverter.py) to facilitate the conversion between Freeplane/Freemind XML mind map files (.mm) and PlantUML mind map definitions (.puml). This enables users to leverage Freeplane/Freemind for visual mind map creation and then convert these maps into a PlantUML format suitable for embedding in documentation, especially in environments that support PlantUML rendering (e.g., GitLab, Confluence, Markdown viewers with Kroki integration).

Features

• Convert Freeplane/Freemind (.mm) to PlantUML (.puml).
• Convert PlantUML (.puml) to Freeplane/Freemind (.mm).
• Supports both standard PlantUML syntax (* Node) and legacy underscore syntax (*_ Node).
• Command-line interface with proper argument parsing.

Installation

Prerequisites

• Python 3.x

From PyPI

pip install mindmapconverter

From Source

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/your-username/mindmapconverter.git
   cd mindmapconverter

2. Install the package:

   pip install .

   Or for development (editable mode):

   pip install -e .

Usage

The script automatically detects the conversion direction based on the input file's extension.

Command Line Interface

python mindmapconverter.py input_file [-o output_file]

Converting Freeplane/Freemind to PlantUML

To convert a Freeplane/Freemind .mm file to PlantUML:

python mindmapconverter.py input_file.mm -o output_file.puml

Example:

python mindmapconverter.py my_mindmap.mm -o my_mindmap.puml

If -o is omitted, the output is printed to stdout:

python mindmapconverter.py my_mindmap.mm > my_mindmap.puml

Converting PlantUML to Freeplane/Freemind

To convert a PlantUML .puml file to Freeplane/Freemind XML:

python mindmapconverter.py input_file.puml -o output_file.mm

Example:

python mindmapconverter.py my_mindmap.puml -o my_mindmap.mm

Supported Syntax

The converter supports the standard PlantUML MindMap syntax using asterisks for hierarchy:

@startmindmap
* Root
** Child 1
** Child 2
*** Grandchild
@endmindmap

It also supports the legacy syntax with underscores (*_ Node).

Testing

To run the included unit tests:

python3 test_mindmapconverter.py

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! If you have suggestions for improvements, bug reports, or want to add new features, please feel free to:

1. Fork the repository.
2. Create a new branch (git checkout -b feature/YourFeature).
3. Make your changes and add tests.
4. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add some feature').
5. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/YourFeature).
6. Open a Pull Request.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.