How to Build Bubble and Double Bubble Map in XMind
Dec 10, 2021

How to Build Bubble and Double Bubble Map in XMind
Dec 10, 2021
We’ve introduced different built-in structures already, and in fact, you can also build other structures from the ground in XMind easily.
The structures we are going to present it Bubble/Double Bubble Map. Today we will be sharing comprehensive introductions, using scenarios, and how to make them in XMind effortlessly.
Bubble Map? Double Bubble?
A Bubble Map is a visual representation of a noun which is in the central topic, and surrounded by adjectives that can be used to describe it.
We start with a central topic, and map out the branches that connect to more ideas with inner-connections. Both the noun and adjectives are in bubbles, while the size of the bubble of the noun, the central topic, is the biggest.
Double Bubble Map is a visual representation of comparing and contrasting. There are two bubbles of two ideas, items, or events on the map, while each of the bubbles connects with ideas that are relevant to one of the two ideas.
We start with 2 central bubbles, and branch out outside bubbles filled with relevant characters. If an outside bubble is connected to both the central bubbles, and it is filled with words possessed by/relevant to both.
Purpose of Bubble/Double Bubble Map
Both Bubble Map and Double Bubble Map is a natural thought process, yet unleash creativity.
Use Bubble Maps to describe qualities associated with a specific item, person, idea or event, or work through a complex problem. This develops a person’s abilities to identify qualities, descriptive abilities, and problem-solving skills.
Double Bubble Map compares and contrasts 2 objects. It helps to identify the similarities and differences of 2 objects, and hence, improve association and imagination.
Build Bubbles in XMind
We are going to use only 2 features to create bubble maps: Topic Shape and Relationships.
Let’s start from Bubble Map.
Bubble Map on Desktop & Mobile
Bubble Map is similar to the mind map structure. Both of these structures are started with central ideas and connected to different ideas, so let’s start with a mind map structure.
- Click mind map structure in XMind.
- Change the Topic Shape for central and main topics in format panel.
- For making outside surrounded bubbles, we need to use Floating Topic and adjust the map layout in format panel.
- Change the color of topic and texts, or move the topics, and we are all set.
You can also build Bubble Map on mobile devices following the guides above. We would love to suggest you to build Bubble Map on tablets, which is easier and faster.
Double Bubble Map for Desktop & Mobile
Let’s keep building this based on the Bubble Map above.
- Create a floating topic, copy and paste the style from the previous bubble map.
- Choose the structure. Use shortcuts Tab and Enter to add subtopics, and set topic shapes for them.
- Add relationships to connect the bubbles in the middle, the same way when making Bubble Map. Style colors, and texts, lines, ect. You can also add more topics to the new bubble too.
Tips and Tricks
Use Summary, Boundary, Relationship to make your bubble maps expressive. Use colors to highlight the important part.
Examples of the Bubbles
Let Imagination Fly
With topic shape, relationships, you can also build structures based on current structures, even of your own.
Find out more templates to download here and keep having fun with XMind.