Online brainstorming and collaboration sessions can easily turn stressful and unorganized. But not any more! Apple has released a new software called Freeform that provides you with all of the tools you need to visualize your ideas and make brainstorming with your peers, or even by yourself, more structured and productive. Here’s all you should know about Freeform and how to use it on a Mac.
What is Freeform on Mac?
Apple highlights the Freeform app as an online whiteboard that allows you to organize and display items in an unending “flexible canvas.” It functions similarly to other brainstorming apps, allowing you to sketch, add, and preview several files inline, eliminating the need to exit and switch to another app.
You can use it to work on your projects or share it with others during brainstorming sessions. It integrates easily into the Apple environment, including Apple Pencil on iPad and FaceTime for real-time communication. Furthermore, your Freeform boards are saved on iCloud and synced with all of your Apple devices.
Requirements to run Freeform
The Freeform app was added to Apple devices in recent versions. To run the app, you will need:
- iOS 16.2 and later
- iPadOS version 16.2 or later
- macOS Ventura version 13.1 or later
Certain functions are only available on select devices. The Sketch function, for example, is only available on Mac if you have Handoff enabled. More about this later.
Now let’s go over everything you can do with Freeform on Mac.
How to Create a Freeform Board on Mac
When you started out open Freeform, you’ll find a sidebar and a window with all of your Boards organized into categories such as All Boards, Recents, Shared, Favorites, and Recently Deleted.
- To conceal the sidebar: Click the sidebar symbol next to the window controls to enlarge your board.
- To create a new board: Click the Pen icon at the top. It will launch a blank canvas with grey dots or grids to assist with alignment.
- To rename a new board: Click Untitled and then Please enter a name for your board.
- To conceal the grid: Go to the View menu and choose conceal Grid.
- Change the size of your board: To set your chosen zoom level, click the plus or minus symbol below.
Freeform provides many tools to help you brainstorm more effectively. The tools are at the top. This includes:
- Sticky note
- Shape
- Text box
- File (Photo, Video, or Link)
- Folder
How to add content to the Freeform board on Mac
Freeform accepts a variety of material types, including photographs, videos, audio, documents, web links, PDFs, and stickies. You may even pull stuff from Spotify and save the link to your board.
1. Add the files
Most content may be added to the board simply by dragging it there. Alternatively,
- To add photographs: click the Photos icon. Select photos or videos. Select an image and then click “Add.”
- To crop the image: Click the photo and then Select the Crop symbol → Drag the slider: Finally, click Done.
- To change the image: Click the photo. Choose a photo icon. Click the Replace button. Select a picture.
- Add this link to your board: Click the Photos icon → Select the link. Please paste your link. Click the Insert button.
- For the other files: Locate the file by clicking the Folder icon. Then, click Insert. This method, you can save downloaded photographs to your Mac.
Once you’ve added content, a rectangle thumbnail should appear.
- To resize the content: Click and drag the thumbnail’s boundaries outward.
- To access the content: Double-click the thumbnail to open or view the item, which may be a PDF. Meanwhile, audio files include a play button. Simply click it to play the audio inside Freeform.
2. Include shapes and clip-arts
Freeform includes a library of over 900 forms to pick from.
- To add a shape: Click the Shape icon. Select a category from the sidebar. Choose a shape.
- To add text: Double-click the shape and enter your text.
- To extend the form: Click and drag the pointer outwards from any corner.
Clicking it allows you to change the shape. This picks the item and reveals three formatting tools:
- Fill Color: To transform the shape into an outline, pick No Fill or a color. If you want to change the color, click the Color Wheel button and select a new color.
- Line: To change the line type and thickness of the outline, click the line icon and select one.
- Text: You may modify the font, color, size, formatting, placement, and other properties of the text.
3. Apply Sticky Notes
Freeform’s sticky notes function similarly to Stickies.
- Click the note symbol to start a new Sticky Note.
- Double-click the note to Begin entering the content.
To end editing, just click anywhere outside the sticky note.
- Click and drag the note to any position on the board.
- To enlarge the note: Place your cursor on any of its corners and drag it.
- To change the color of your sticky: Click on the Color icon. Choose a color.
- To alter the text formatting: Click the Text icon. You may raise the font size, use bold and italics formatting, highlight text, make lists, and alter your note’s alignment here.
4. Include text on your board
You do not need to use sticky notes to write on your Freeform board.
- To add text: Select the Text icon, then click the text box and write your content.
- To enlarge the text field: Click and drag the blue dot horizontally. Alternatively, hold down and drag the green dot to enlarge the text box.
- To adjust the font size: Click the font number, Pick a font size.
- To change the font color: Select the Color icon. Select a colour.
- To modify text formatting: Click the AA symbol and make the necessary changes, such as adding bullets and rearranging the text.
- To change the font style: Select the AA symbol. Select a typeface and a style.
5. How to lock objects in your Freeform board on Mac
Adding a large number of objects to your board might make it tough to choose items without mistakenly picking others. So, put items in their proper positions to maintain your board clean and tidy. Also, doing so ensures that it cannot be relocated or extended.
- Double-click the object you’d want to freeze.
- Select A lock.
How to use your iPhone or iPad to create a sketch
Freeform enables you to draw freehand. However, as previously stated, this feature is not available on Macs unless Handoff is enabled across all devices. Aside from adding sketches, Mac users are unable to take photos or scan documents to include in their boards. With Handoff, your Mac interfaces with your iPhone or iPad to execute these things.
Before proceeding, check Bluetooth and WiFi are enabled on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
- Select the file icon.
- Choose either Take Photo, Scan Documents, or Add Sketch.
This immediately activates the feature on your linked iPhone.
How to use other Apple devices to view your Freeform boards
You won’t be able to share your board if it is disabled in your iCloud since Freeform needs iCloud for collaboration. By default, this is enabled, however if your boards aren’t synchronizing between your devices, you may check it:
- Select System Settings from the Apple menu.
- Select your name → iCloud.
- Choose “Show All.”
- Scroll down and make sure Freeform is switched on.
How to share and work together with the Mac’s Freeform program
You may work together with up to 99 people using Freeform. Sharing your boards with others may be done in a number of ways.
- Press the “Share” button.
- Choose Mail, Messages, AirDrop, or Invite with Link.
You can change their access to your board. To accomplish this:
- Click the Share button. Click Only invited users have the ability to modify.
- Access the dropdown option under “Who can access.” Select between Only invited persons and Anyone with the link.
- Select “Can make changes” from the dropdown menu under Permissions.
If you don’t want them to change anything on your board, select View only.
- A tick In the event that you choose to share the board with colleagues, let them invite others.
Wrapping up…
To be honest, Freeform still seems a little awkward when compared to other brainstorming tools. In any case, it’s a fantastic tool to have in your workflow because of its broad file compatibility and smooth connection with the Apple ecosystem. Did we overlook any additional features? Share them below, please!
