Fuda-Yose Tool for Visual Thinking -- English Edition Available (Akihiro Katahira, Toru Nakagawa, 2015)

Forum: Creativity Tool
Fuda-Yose Tool for Visual Thinking -- English Edition Available
Akihiro Katahira and Toru Nakagawa, Sept. 22, 2015; Mar. 6, 2016
For evaluation purpose only at moment: Sept. 30, 2015
Posted: Sept. 30, 2015; Updated: Mar. 6, 2016

For going back to Japanese pages, press buttons.

Editor's Note (Toru Nakagawa, Sept. 22, 2015)

'Fuda-Yose Tool' software was originally developed by Akihiro Katahira and was introduced in this Web site on Jan. 18, 2015. The tool is a handy drawing software tool and supports 'Visual Thinking'.

With the guidance of Katahira, I have tried to use the tool and have shown several examples of usage, including:

Visual Thinking with 'Fuda-Yose' (2) - Converting a (short) document into labels and make 'Fuda-Yose' diagrams for Visual Thinking (Toru Nakagawa, Akihiro Katahira) (Jul. 29, 2015)
Click to enlarge

(Japanese)

Visual Thinking with 'Fuda-Yose' (3) - Visualizing the logic of Sickafus' Paper 'Subconscious Problem Solving Using Hazy Heuristics', (Akihiro Katahira, Toru Nakagawa) (Aug. 25; Sept. 17, 2015) (Sept. 17, 2015)
Click to enlarge

(English)

Visual Thinking with 'Fuda-Yose' (5) --　Thinking over the poverty in the Japanese Society: [A] Increasing poverty among the elderly (0) Introduction (Toru Nakagawa) (Sept. 17, 2015)
Click to enlarge

(Japanese)

On these articles, especially on the Fuda-Yose diagrams with labels in English texts, we have received several positive comments from readers.

Thus I helped Katahira translate the Fuda-Yose Tool into English. The English Edition of the tool, having tool displays in English and instructions in English, is now available from his Web site (for evaluation purpose only at moment on Sept. 30, 2015). It is expected to work more or less universally on Microsoft Excel 2010 and Excel 2013 in Windows environments.

We are now making this software openly available without charge through Akihiko Katahira's Web site (for evaluation purpose only at moment on Sept. 30, 2015). In the present page, the full instructions for downloading and using the software tool are posted in HTML and in PDF. Following these instructions, you may download the software via this link to Katahira's site .

We should very much appreciate your feedback, especially any case of trouble report, because we do not have different PC environments in your countries. Comments, suggestions, examples of usage, etc. are very welcome. .

Editor's Note (Toru Nakagawa, Mar. 6, 2016)

For these 6 months or so, I fully used the Fuda-Yose Tool for Visualizing the contents of Fujita's Book "The Low-living Elderly", as shown in the series of pages: Visual Thinking with Fuda-Yose (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)811)(12)(13) and its summary page (Jan. 28, 2016) (Mar. 6, 2016).

The 'Fuda-Yose' Tool is available in the English Edition as announced in the present page (Sept. 30, 2015). The tool has been revised little by little and is now its 4.0.1 version (both in Japanee and in English). You may download the tool in Katahira's site (in the same way as written below)

Processes of Visual Thinking

Tool download

Japanese page

Fuda-Yose Tool for Visual Thinking -- English Edition

The software 'Fuda-Yose Tool for Visual Thinking (English Edition)' is openly downloadable (for evaluation purpose only at moment on Sept. 30, 2015) without charge at Akihiro Katahira's Web site 'Dai1Kousha': http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/dai1kousha/zukou2-e.html

Here shows the title page and the instructions of the tool:

Title

Introduction to the Fuda-Yose Tool and Visual Thinking

Preparation before using Fuda-Yose Tool

3. How to use Fuda-Yose Tool

3.1 'Data File' Sub-tool,
3.2 'Fuda-Yose' Main Tool
3.3 Modify Fuda/Waku/Line Sub-tool
3.4 'File / Convert' Sub-tool

Remarks

Example of Usage

Introduction to the Fuda-Yose Tool and Visual Thinking

Fuda-Yose Tool is a simple and easy drawing software, in a sense, but it can support users in Visual Thinking effectively and powerfully.

Here is Glossary, especially of some Japanese words:

Fuda = (in Japanese) a Label, a Card, a Plate, or a Tag
           = (in this Tool)   a Rectangle in AutoShapes of Microsoft Excel

Waku = (in Japanese) a Frame, an Enclosure
           = (in this Tool) a RoundedRectangle in AutoShapes of Excel

Line    = (in this Tool) a Connector (with or without arrows at the ends) in AutoShapes of Excel

Yose = (in Japanese) the noun form of a verb 'Yoseru'

Yoseru = (in Japanese) to collect, to gather, to make closer, to put nearer

Fuda-Yose = (a unique naming of the present tool/method in Japanese) the action of collecting
                        labels, placing them at various relative positions, connecting them, grouping
                        them, structuring them, etc. with various trials in order to think over the
                       relationships and structures of the whole information.

Visual Thinking = (a generalized naming of the present method) the method of stimulating
                       and enhancing the thoughts in mind by expressing pieces of information
                       explicitly in labels and by placing them at various positions for thinking and
                       representing their (implicit or logical) relationships and their overall structures.
                       Visualizing the pieces of information and their relationships is the key to help
                       user think logically and intuitively.

Fuda-Yose Tool as a drawing software tool:

Fuda-Yose Tool is developed by using VBA macros in Excel (R) of Microsoft(R) on
    Windows(R).

The Tool exists as an Excel .xlsm file and makes the Fuda-Yose Tool macro executable on
   another Excel file (of .xlsx form, a data file) where diagrams are drawn.

By use of Rectangles (i.e., Fuda), RoundedRectangles (i.e., Waku), and Connectors (i.e.,
   Line with or without arrows at the ends), you can draw various types of diagrams easily.

The size, color, line thickness, texts, positions, etc. of these elements (and groups of
   elements) of diagrams can be specified and modified easily.

There is no restrictions/standard rules of how to represent any information with these
   elements. You may draw and represent diagrams as you think most appropriate.

One implicit point in the Tool is that the Rectangles (Fuda) are used to show a piece of
information while the RoundedRectangles (Waku) are used to enclose/hold a group of
information.

Another implicit/typical usage is showing a piece or group of information with boxes (i.e.,
Rectangles or Rounded Rectangles) while showing their relationships with connectors
   (i.e., Lines with or without arrows at the ends).

Fuda-Yose method for Visual Thinking:

Fuda-Yose method has no rules nor standards in how to proceed to make diagrams, how
   to represent diagrams, and how to use them. You may build up and use your diagrams
   as you think most appropriate.

Even so, there are various knowhow to make good diagrams.

First collect information as much as possible and express them in texts/sketches as units
   of information in the form of labels (or Fuda).

Then spread them in a sheet and think of relationships among them, such as closeness,
   logical relations, etc. Consider the possibilities of grouping them, rearranging them,
   expanding them, generalizing them, structuring them, etc.

Use Enclosures (or Waku) for grouping information, and use Connectors (or Lines with or
   without arrows at the ends) for showing relationships explicitly.

Suppressing details and clarifying the structure are useful steps for brushing up the diagrams.

For big and complex cases, dividing diagrams in some sense and forming a hierarchy of
   diagrams may be useful.

Building diagrams in various aspects and restructuring them with new ideas/information are
    the typical ways of active Visual Thinking.

Preparation before using Fuda-Yose Tool

1. Outline

Fuda-Yose Tool is a simple and easy drawing software for supporting
Visual Thinking . .

Fuda-Yose Tool is an Excel file having specific Fuda-Yose macros which
   can execute various operations on the textual and graphics data in
   another Excel file.

The Fuda-Yose macros have been developed in the Japanese Edition
of Microsoft Excel 2010 and 2013 by use of VBA, and later translated
   into English as well.

Thanks to, and within the limitation of, the universality of Microsoft Excel,
the Fuda-Yose Tool is expected to work in every language edition of
Excel and Windows of Microsoft and to be operable on any language
data of Excel data files.

The Tool is NOT executable in Excel Online and Excel RT, at moment.

The Fuda-Yose Tool is distributed openly without charge at the
developer's Web site: 'Dai1kousha'
http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/dai1kousha/zukou2-e.html

Download the file "fudayose***.xlsm" (where ***: stands for the version
   number), and double-click the file.

Then the Fuda-Yose Tool is opened as an Excel book with macros,
and by using the buttons displayed in small Tool windows you can
build your own diagrams in an Excel data file.

Liability Disclaimer:

The developer assumes no responsibility or implied warranty against
   any adverse outcomes by the user.

2. Preparation before using Fuda-Yose Tool

       Make the file "fudayose***.xlsm" editable at the first time of usage.

       Enable the macros of Excel.

3. How to use Fuda-Yose Tool

Fuda-Yose Tool is composed of the Main Tool and three Sub-tools, i.e.,
   'Data file', 'File / Convert' and 'Modify the elements' sub-tools.

3.1 'Data File' Sub-tool

This sub-tool specifies the Excel file to be used as a data file (besides the
   tool file) in the Fuda Yose method.

When the Fuda-Yose Tool is started, the 'Data File' sub-tool will be displayed
   automatically if an Excel data file is not open yet.

   Click 'Open' to use an existing Excel data file.
   Click 'New' to make a new Excel data file.

If an Excel data file is already open when the Fuda-Yose Tool is started, this
   'Data File' Sub-tool is skipped and the Fuda-Yose Main Tool will be displayed.

   For using an existing Excel data file not open yet, click 'File / Convert' Sub-tool
   button in the Fuda-Yose Main Tool.

3.2 'Fuda-Yose' Main Tool

Main operations of Fuda-Yose Tool are compactly arranged as the buttons
in a floating window 'Fuda-Yose' Main Tool.

The tools handle 3 basic types of AutoShapes: they are

    "Fuda" (Label) = Rectangle          for representing basic information

    "Waku" (Enclosure) = RoundedRectangle    for grouping pieces
                                                                                 of information

    "Line" = Connector                   for showing relationships

(1) 'Create/Modify' Fuda (Labels), Waku (Enclosure), and Line

The top 10 buttons either Create or Modify a specified element depending
   on whether an element is selected at the time or not.

When no element is selected, a left-click of one of the top 10 buttons creates
the specified type of Fuda or Waku label at the current cell position.

Just after the creation (or more generally when an element is selected),
     texts can be input in the Fuda or Waku.

When an element is selected, a left-click of one of the top 10 buttons will
modify the selected element into the specified type of element (if convertible).

    Fuda and Waku are mutually convertible,
    while Line and Arrow line are mutually convertible.

The size of Fuda is automatically adjusted with the length of the containing texts.
    If you set the width of a Fuda or Waku, the text is automatically wrapped and
    the height is adjusted to fill the text properly.

(2) 'Mode Selection' Switch (Cell / AutoShape)

The 'Cell' Mode is the ordinary mode of using Excel.
   The mouse pointer is shown with "+". Cells and AutoShapes can be selected.

    For selecting multiple Autoshapes, select them one by one while pressing
       either the Shift or the CTRL key.

The 'AutoShape' Mode is the mode specialized for handling graphs.
   The mouse pointer is shown with an Arrow.
   By left-clicking the AutoShapes you may select them, and more conveniently by
     specifying a rectangular area on the sheet you may select all the AutoShapes
     existing inside the area.   In this 'AutoShape' Mode, however, you can not select cells.

(3) 'Grouping'

Select multiple AutoShapes and left-click the 'Group' Button to make them into a Group.
   A group of AutoShapes can be moved together by holding one of the group members.

Select a Group and left-click the 'Release' Button for releasing the group members of
   AutoShapes.

(4) Calling 'Sub Tools'

Left-clicking any button here, the Sub-tool of 'Modify Fuda/Waku/Line' or
   'File / Convert' will appear.

(5) 'View'

Zoom in' for enlarging the whole diagram of the present sheet.

Zoom out' for reducing the size of the whole diagram of the present sheet.

Full Screen / Normal' is a switch for using either 'Full screen' view or 'Normal' view
    of the Excel window.

Grid lines & Heading

(6) Help

Left-click of the 'Help' Button guides you to the Top page of the Fuda-Yose Tool,
   where you can select any necessary page of Instructions.

(7) Exit

Left-click of the 'Exit' Button guides you to close and exit the 'Fuda-Yose Tool',
   after confirming your exit intention.

3.3 Modify Fuda/Waku/Line Sub-tool

Select AutoShape(s) and left-click any of the buttons in this
sub-tool for modifying them in the specific feature.

(1) Align Text

Applicable to Fuda and Waku .(Left, Center, Right Justified)

(2) Line Form

Applicable to Line and Arrow line .

(3) Line Thickness

Applicable to Fuda, Waku, and Line.

(4) Line Style

Applicable to Fuda, Waku, and Line.

(5) Arrows

Applicable to Line and Arrow line.

(6) Line Color

Applicable to Fuda, Waku, and Line.

3.4 'File / Convert' Sub-tool

(1) 'Add Data File' Operations

Open' Button for opening an existing Excel file as an additional
     data file.

New' Button allows you to create a new Excel file as an additional
    data file.

(2) 'Convert' Operations

Fuda & Waku => Cell Texts' Button will convert all the texts in Fuda and
   Waku into the texts of normal cells in a new Excel sheet appearing next to
   the present sheet.

Text in each of Fuda or Waku is written in a cell, vertically arranged in the
    A column.



Cell Texts => Fuda' Button will convert the texts in the A column cells
   into individual yellow Fudas arranged vertically in a new Excel sheet
   appearing next to the present sheet.

    An empty cell in the A column will terminate the output of Fuda.

Remarks

1. Other AutoShapes of Excel

Fuda，Waku, and Line in the present Fuda-Yose Tool are simply Rectangles,
RoundedRectangles, and Connectors (with or without arrows at the ends) of
Microsoft Excel.

Thus, any graphics generated by Fuda-Yose Tool can be handled and modified
   by Excel's standard drawing tools.

   For example: Specifying Font size and Font color, Using any Color besides the
                           preset ones, rotate/tilt the boxes, etc.

Furthermore, any AutoShapes or graphics (besides Fuda, Waku, and Line) can
    be made in the Fuda-Yose diagrams by using standard Excel commands.
    And they can be handled and modified with the Fuda-Yose Tool just like the
    standard Fuda-Yose elements (i.e., Fuda, Waku, and Line).

For example: Creating circles, block arrows, idea clouds, stars, etc. and
                            handling and modifying them with the Fuda-Yose Tool.

2. Development language of Fuda-Yose Tool

Fuda-Yose Tool was originally developed with VBA in the Japanese edition of
    Excel 2010 and Excel 2013.

The data file can be written in any language,
     e.g., Japanese, English, Spanish, Chinese, etc.

Fuda-Yose Tool itself, containing tool displays and instructions, was translated
    into English smoothly with the help of Professor Toru Nakagawa.

Example for Usage

The following diagram has been drawn with the 'Fuda-Yose Tool

The Tool and Documents

Fuda-Yose Tool (Excel macro file, with instructions) ==> Download at Katahira's site

Instructions PDF file

Example files: Diagram by Nakagawa (on Sickafus' paper) (HTML page , Excel file , PDF file )

Example of Visualization process (or Visual Thinking) (outline):

A Case of Text ==> Diagram

Visual Thinking with 'Fuda-Yose' (3) - Visualizing the logic of Sickafus' Paper 'Subconscious Problem Solving Using Hazy Heuristics', (Akihiro Katahira, Toru Nakagawa) (Aug. 25; Sept. 17, 2015) (Sept. 17, 2015)

(0) Original Text (e.g., Abstract of Sickafus' Paper)

(1) Making Labels with individual sentences (in the original order)

(2) Division of Labels (i.e. sentences) into smaller logical units

(3) Structuring roughly

(4) Finishing as a diagram (Using enclosures and arrows)

(5) Revised Final diagram, by omitting some details for showing the logic clearer

A Case of many Labels ==> Fuda-Yose diagram ==> Texts

(1) Make many data cards (e.g. Post-It notes) by data acquisition or idea generation

(2) Input the card data (in any order) as texts in Excel and convert them into Labels

(3) Review the labels and try grouping, comparing, rearranging, structuring, etc. in various aspects.

(4) Use Enclosures for grouping and Lines for showing relationships and find/give structures as a diagram

(5) Rearrange the groups/components to show the structure clearly and reveal any findings

(6) Write down what the diagram is saying or what you have found with the overall information visualized as the diagram.