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Drafts and saving maps

In short: Your project's first map is saved automatically. Every map after that starts as a draft in the Unsaved section of the maps gallery. To keep one, open it and click Save this map at the top left of the map, then press Enter. You can hold up to 32 drafts per project. When you're at the limit, the next map you make replaces the draft you opened longest ago, permanently. Drafts are private to you until you save them.

Save a map​

  1. Open the draft from the gallery or the map list in the left sidebar.
  2. Click Save this map at the top left of the map.
  3. Edit the name in the box if you like.
  4. Press Enter or click the check button. You see "Map saved."

Other ways to save:

  • In the gallery, click Save this map on a card in the Unsaved section.
  • Right-click a map card in the gallery and click Save map.
  • Right-click a map in the left sidebar list and click Save map.

Press Esc to close the name box without saving.

Saving is permanent. A saved map can't be turned back into a draft, but you can delete it. See Map folders and properties.

Maps that are kept automatically​

SciNodes also keeps a draft for you when you:

  • write a note about the map, or about something on it, or
  • add the map, or evidence from it, to Research in Formation.

Chatting about a map doesn't keep it. You can turn either automatic action off in Preferences under "Which actions keep a draft map" (Writing a note on it, Adding it to RIF). With one turned off, SciNodes may remind you once with "“name” is still a draft." and a Save this map button.

The Unsaved section​

Drafts appear at the top of the Research Maps gallery under Unsaved, with a count such as "12 / 32". Each card has Discard and Save this map. In the left sidebar list, drafts show an unsaved icon and the tooltip starts with "Unsaved".

Discard drafts​

One draft:

  1. Click Discard on its card in the Unsaved section.
  2. The card disappears and you see "Discarded “name”." with Undo. You have one minute to undo.

All drafts (shown when you have more than 5):

  1. Click Discard all in the Unsaved header, or right-click a map card and click Discard all N drafts.
  2. Read "Discard all N drafts?" and click Discard all.
  3. You see "Discarded N drafts." with Undo for one minute.

Drafts that are still building are kept. Your saved maps are never affected.

When your drafts are full​

You can hold 32 drafts per project. When you're at the limit and start a new map, SciNodes shows "Your drafts are full" with your count before it builds anything:

  • It lists your drafts under "Longest untouched", with the first to go at the top.
  • Click Save this map on any you want to keep, or Discard on any you don't need.
  • Click Plot map anyway to build the new map. The draft you opened longest ago is deleted for good.
  • Click Not now to cancel.
  • Tick Don’t show this again to skip this notice in future. Drafts are still replaced when you're at the limit; the gallery count keeps showing how close you are.

Who can see drafts​

Drafts are visible only to the person who made them. Collaborators see your map once you save it. Only the person who made a map can save, rename or delete it.

Troubleshooting​

  • "Only the user who generated this map can save it." A collaborator made this map. Ask them to save it.
  • "This map no longer exists." It was deleted or replaced. Refresh the gallery.
  • "Could not reach the server." Check your connection and try again. The name you typed stays in the box.
  • "Only the user who generated “name” can delete it — it is back in Unsaved." A discard couldn't go through, so the draft was restored.
  • "Could not reach the server — “name” is back in Unsaved." The discard couldn't reach SciNodes. Try again later.
  • A map I wrote notes about disappeared. If automatic keeping was turned off, the map stayed a draft and was replaced at the limit. Turn the preference back on, and save maps you care about.

FAQ​

Why do maps start as drafts?​

Building maps is quick, so people make many. Drafts keep the gallery focused on the maps you choose to keep, while still letting you explore freely.

Is my first map a draft?​

No. The first map in a project, usually the automatic Initial Map, is saved for you.

Does the 32-draft limit count my collaborators' drafts?​

No. The limit is per person per project, and saved maps don't count toward it.

Can I get back a draft that was replaced?​

No. A replaced draft is deleted permanently. Save maps you want to keep.