Freeform is a great new addition to Apple’s app collection. Get to know the basics of how it works on your Mac
Freeform is Apple’s version of a whiteboard app and it was a long time coming, but it is finally here. The app is available on the Mac, iPhone and iPad and the boards you create on one device are synced to all your other devices. Freeform is like a blank digital canvas onto which you can place text, photos and other images, clipart, notes, links, and even files.
It is a great place to brainstorm ideas for projects, to collect information, to create plans for work, and so on. Plus, there are plenty of hidden features that are very handy to know. Here we take you through the basics of creating your first board, and how to share it with others.
Step-by-step
1 Use the toolbar
Start a new board and you are presented with a blank canvas. Use the toolbar at the top to add content to it. For example, click the ‘A’ icon to add text.
2 Show object menus
Click an object on the canvas to show a menu. It varies depending on the object. Click a text object, select the text and set the alignment, size and other attributes.
3 Add images
3 Click the picture icon in the toolbar. This menu enables you to use your iPhone to take photos, scan in documents and add sketches, but we’ll select ‘Photos or Videos’.
4 Select media
A Photos library browser appears and shows your photographs and video clips. Click one item to select it or cmd+click several, and then click ‘Add’ to insert them.
5 Add shape objects
Click the shapes button in the toolbar to browse the collection of shapes. They are organised into categories. At the top are three types of lines.
