Discover the Power of Freeform
Technology in the iPad world continues to evolve at a rapid pace—and Freeform is one of the most impressive new tools. But here’s a surprise: it’s not actually the infinite canvas that makes Freeform so special. No, the most impressive aspect is how this app takes collaboration and creativity to a whole new level. Get ready to completely transform your workflow.
Freeform, which launched nearly two years ago alongside iPadOS 16, offers an alternative to the Notes app with a stronger focus on collaboration and creativity. It’s an infinite digital whiteboard that allows users to work together and share ideas in intuitive ways. While Freeform may have flown under the radar, it’s a powerful tool worth exploring.
Let’s start with the basic navigation of Freeform. When you open the app, you’ll see an overview of all of your boards, including recent, shared, and favorite boards. The sidebar provides quick access to these categories. Unfortunately, there’s no way to create folders for further organization yet, but hopefully this will be a feature in the future.
At the top you will find a toolbar with options to create new boards, filter and sort. You can choose between icon or list view and sort by date or name. The search function is particularly useful, as it searches not only text, but also images and handwriting.
When you open a board, you are presented with a virtually infinite canvas. You can zoom in and out up to 400%, depending on the content. The top toolbar provides options to name the board, add favorites, adjust alignment settings, and export the board as a PDF.
One of Freeform’s strengths is its integration with Apple Pencil. You can start writing or drawing as soon as you touch the screen. Just like in the Notes app, Freeform automatically recognizes shapes and makes them perfect. There are several drawing tools available, including a ruler for straight lines.
In addition to handwritten notes, you can also use digital post-its. These can be easily added, moved and changed in color. You can type text in them or write on them with the Apple Pencil. This makes them ideal for organizing ideas or making short notes.
Freeform also offers an extensive library of shapes, objects, and icons. From geometric shapes to animals and food, there is something for every project. These objects can be customized in color, size, and alignment.
A useful feature is the ability to create connections between different elements on the board. This is especially useful for creating flowcharts or visualizing relationships between ideas.
Text boxes can be easily added and formatted. You can adjust the size, change the font, and even use built-in translation features.
A new feature in iPadOS 18 is the ability to create “scenes,” which are essentially bookmarks for specific parts of your board, letting you quickly navigate large, complex projects.
For visuals, you can add photos, videos, and stickers. You can even remove the background of images for a more integrated look. Additionally, it is possible to add link cards, making it easy to reference external resources.
One of Freeform's greatest strengths is its ability to collaborate in real time. Multiple users can work on the same board at the same time, with changes immediately visible to everyone. This makes Freeform ideal for brainstorming, project planning, or collaborative design.
Freeform works seamlessly with other apps in the iPadOS multitasking system. You can open multiple Freeform boards side by side, or drag and drop content from other apps like Files.
In summary, Freeform offers a powerful and versatile solution for digital collaboration and ideation. Whether you’re a student, professional, or creative, Freeform provides a platform to bring your ideas to life and collaborate effectively with others. With its intuitive interface and extensive features, Freeform is a valuable addition to the Apple ecosystem that’s definitely worth exploring and integrating into your workflow.
Improve your workflow with Freeform
Freeform is more than just a digital whiteboard—it’s a powerful tool that takes collaboration and creativity to new heights. Whether you’re brainstorming for your next big project, preparing class materials, or simply visualizing your ideas, Freeform offers a flexible, intuitive platform that’s perfectly suited to the needs of today’s professionals and creatives.
With its seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem and the ability to collaborate in real time, Freeform opens doors to new ways of working and thinking. So why not give it a try? Grab your iPad, fire up Freeform, and let your creativity flow!
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