Concept Maps¶

Concept map overview

The Concept Maps section is used to build a visual representation of the relationships between places, characters, other concept maps, and free notes.

It is not a geographical map and it is not a generic whiteboard: it is a tool designed to connect the nodes of a campaign in a way that is fast, readable, and navigable.

You can use it to:

organize the narrative structure of an adventure
link places and characters
trace relationships between important elements
add thematic frames
write notes directly on nodes, frames, and links

Where It Is Found¶

Concept maps can be opened from two main entry points:

from the adventure dashboard, in the Concept Maps panel
from the dashboard of a place, when you want to create or open a concept map linked to that place

This means a concept map can be:

adventure-wide
linked to a specific place

Screen Structure¶

The concept maps screen is divided into three main columns:

left sidebar with palette and map list
central canvas where you build the map
right inspector with the details of the selected element

The left sidebar gathers everything you can place in the map.

The main categories are:

Places
Characters
Maps

You can also work with:

filters
text search
frame creation
free-node creation

Palette Filters¶

The palette supports a dedicated filter with these modes:

All
Places
Characters
Maps

Palette Search¶

The palette search bar is used to quickly find:

a place
a character
an existing concept map

What You Can Drag into the Canvas¶

Into the canvas you can drag:

places from the adventure
characters available to the adventure
other concept maps
free nodes

The characters available in the palette are not pulled blindly from the whole database: the system uses characters linked to the adventure.

Places in the Palette¶

Places in the palette are shown while keeping the hierarchy of the places in the adventure.

Characters in the Palette¶

Characters shown in the palette include an informative subtitle that may contain:

type
ancestry
class

Maps in the Palette¶

The Maps section of the palette shows the other concept maps of the adventure.

This is especially useful because a concept map can contain a node that points to another concept map, creating a network of connected maps.

Creating a New Concept Map¶

You can create a new concept map:

from the adventure dashboard
from the dashboard of a place
directly from the concept maps screen, if you are already managing one

When it is created, DnDino automatically assigns it a progressive name such as:

Concept map
Concept map 2
Concept map 3

Renaming a Map¶

The title of the active map can be edited directly in the screen.

When you leave the field or confirm the change, DnDino saves the new name.

Deleting a Map¶

By selecting the active map, you can delete it with the Delete button.

The Central Canvas¶

The canvas is the main area where you build the map.

Here you can:

drag nodes from the palette
move nodes
create frames
connect nodes and frames with arrows
read the general campaign structure at a glance

Types of Elements in the Canvas¶

In the canvas there are three main families of elements:

nodes
frames
links

Nodes¶

Nodes can represent:

a place
a character
a concept map
a free node

Frames¶

Frames are used to visually group multiple nodes into a shared area.

Links¶

Links are arrows that connect nodes and frames.

Regular Nodes and Free Nodes¶

Nodes Linked to Real Records¶

When you drag a place, a character, or a concept map into the canvas, you create a node linked to a real app record.

This means the node:

shows the real title of the element
can show a contextual subtitle
can open the linked record from the inspector

Free Node¶

The Free node is a special node for ideas and notes that are not linked to any real record.

It is useful for:

narrative notes
abstract concepts
events
groups of ideas
design reminders

Group Frames¶

The Frame button creates a visual container inside the canvas.

A frame:

has a title
has its own note
can be moved
can be resized
can be collapsed
can automatically contain the nodes that fall inside it

Moving Nodes¶

Nodes can be freely dragged inside the canvas.

Their position is saved inside the map, so the layout remains persistent.

Moving Frames¶

Frames can also be dragged.

When you move a frame, DnDino can move its contained nodes together with it, keeping the group readable.

Resizing a Frame¶

Frames can be resized from their corners.

Collapsing a Frame¶

A frame can be collapsed.

When collapsed:

it takes less space
the nodes inside it are hidden from the canvas
links involving hidden elements do not clutter readability

Creating a Link¶

Links between elements are created by dragging from the anchor point of a node or a frame to another compatible element.

You can connect:

node → node
node → frame
frame → node
frame → frame

DnDino prevents:

identical duplicate links
links from an element to itself

What the Arrows Are For¶

Arrows are used to represent relationships, for example:

a character controlling a place
a place leading to another
a map pointing to a sub-map
a thematic group connected to a narrative node

The meaning of arrows is free, so it is a good idea to adopt a consistent convention in your campaign.

Inspector: Details of the Selected Element¶

The right column changes depending on what you select.

It can show the details of:

a node
a frame
a link
or the map as a whole, if nothing is selected

If You Select a Node¶

When you select a node, the inspector shows:

title
subtitle
optional Open record button
contextual description, when available
node notes
button to delete the node

Opening the Linked Record¶

If the node is linked to:

a place
a character

you can open the relevant form directly.

If the node is linked to another concept map, the button opens that map and also keeps a small navigation history between maps.

Contextual Description of the Node¶

For some kinds of nodes, the inspector also shows real description text that already exists in the app:

for a place, it shows the DM Description
for a character, it shows the character description

Node Notes¶

Every node also has its own notes, separate from the source record.

If You Select a Frame¶

When you select a frame, the inspector shows:

frame title
number of contained elements
frame notes
button to delete the frame

If You Select a Link¶

When you select an arrow, the inspector shows:

link summary
arrow note
button to delete the link

Notes on links are very useful when you want to give a more precise meaning to the relationship, for example:

alliance
dependency
kinship
passage
cause and effect

If You Select Nothing¶

When no element is selected, the inspector shows a summary of the map:

map name
number of nodes
number of links

The screen supports:

zoom
canvas pan
pinch gestures
quick mouse and trackpad shortcuts

Images in Nodes¶

Nodes linked to places or characters can also use the cover image of the linked record as a visual background.

Concept Maps Linked to Each Other¶

One of the most powerful uses of the system is the ability to link one concept map to another.

This lets you build:

a general adventure map
secondary maps for specific areas
specialized maps for characters, factions, or subplots

When They Are Most Useful¶

Concept maps are especially useful when you want to:

plan a long campaign
visualize complex relationships
organize characters and places into blocks
prepare subplots
keep a strategic view that does not depend on long text

Difference Compared to Places¶

The Places section organizes the adventure on a spatial and content level.

Concept maps, instead, organize the campaign on a relational level.

In short:

Places = world structure and contextual content
Concept maps = logical, narrative, and relational structure

Difference Compared to Interactive Maps¶

Interactive maps are used to navigate real places with markers on a graphical map.

Concept maps are instead used to connect concepts, characters, places, and ideas.

Good Practices¶

To use concept maps well, it is a good idea to:

keep one general map for the whole adventure
create smaller maps for areas or chapters
use frames to separate groups of nodes
use free nodes for ideas that do not yet have a real sheet
annotate nodes and arrows with short but useful notes

In Summary¶

DnDino concept maps are an advanced organization tool.

They let you build a visual and navigable view of the campaign by connecting:

places
characters
other maps
free notes
relationships expressed through arrows

Tip

If a campaign becomes complex, try using one broad concept map for the overall view and smaller maps for individual cities, factions, or subplots. It is one of the most effective ways to avoid losing the thread.