This document provides a guidebook for creating basic and advanced charts in i2 Analyst Notebook 8. It begins with opening i2 and setting
up the page and printer. It then covers saving, adding objects, creating links, editing items, and finding images. Advanced techniques covered
include layouts, OLE objects, and utilizing Microsoft Word. The purpose is to help students learn essential i2 skills taught in an intelligence class.
prashanth updated resume 2024 for Teaching Profession
Gallaghers' i2 guidebook_abridged.
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I2 Analyst Notebook viii Guidebook
Guidebook
A Visual Step by Step Guide of Introductory and Advanced Charting
tep Introductory
Techniques
Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies
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Tasking
To create a guidebook for Professor Mulligan that demonstrates basic and advanced charting techniques in i2 Analyst
book
Notebook 8. The guidebook is a summation of essential skills in i2’s Analyst Notebook 8 user guide. The purpose of this guidebook is
to aid MCIIS students augment techniques taught in the Advanced Intelligence class.
Annex I: Written By Michael B. Gallagher
Annex II & III: Written By James E. Gallagher
:
Note
This is a wonderful example of planting a seed and getting out of the way to allow smart people to exceed expectations. It began with
out
a short discussion in the lab (where the Gallagers were helping some students with i2). I mentioned their unique position to create a
“short” tutorial to help students become familiar with i2 and alleviate numerous frustrations in creating a basic link chart. They
iar
graciously agreed to put some of their thoughts and tips together for future students. I never imagined they would take the project to
its present level of detail. Despite busy schedules, they voluntarily spent numerous hours c
ite creating an extremely detailed (click
n (click-by-
click screenshots) guidebook to walk a new i2 user through the process of creating a link chart. And then they created addit
additional
sections outlining advanced features and capabilities . The result is an invaluable resource for any i2 user (from beginners to
advanced analysts).
I am proud of their product and thankful for the opportunity to play a small part in it. On behalf of all who will benefit from their
effort I wish to express sincere gratitude.
Dan Mulligan
Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies
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Table of Contents
TASKING ................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................. 1
BACKGROUND ................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
...................................................................... 4
ANNEX I: INTRODUCTORY AND BASIC TECHNIQUES ................................
................................................................................................................................
.................................................................. 6
OPENING I2 ANALYST NOTEBOOK 8................................................................
................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................... 8
PAGE AND PRINTER SETUP ................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................... 9
SAVING ................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
............................................................................. 12
WHAT YOUR LINK CHART SHOULD HAVE BEFORE YOU BEGIN ................................
................................................................................................................................
...................................................................... 13
COUNTRY STUDY LINK CHART GRADING RUBRIC ................................
................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................ 13
DIFFERENT CURSORS ................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................ 15
OBJECTS AND LINKS ................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................. 16
ENTITY REPRESENTATIONS................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................... 18
MORE CHART ITEMS ................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................ 19
MISCELLANEOUS TIPS................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................... 20
USING THE EDIT BOX ................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
........................................................... 22
EDITING AN ITEM’S TEXT................................................................
................................................................................................................................
............................................................................. 24
EDITING AN ITEM’S DESCRIPTION AND GRADE................................
................................................................................................................................................................
................................................. 25
EDITING AN ITEM’S TYPE (COLOR & SHADING) ................................
................................................................................................................................................................
............................................... 26
EDITING AN ITEM’S DISPLAY ................................................................
................................................................................................................................
........................................................................ 27
EDITING AN ITEM’S FONT ................................................................
................................................................................................................................
............................................................................ 30
OLE OBJECTS ................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
..................................................................... 31
FINDING HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES ON GOOGLE IMAGE ................................
................................................................................................................................
............................................................................ 37
COPYING AND PASTING IMAGES FROM ONLINE ................................
................................................................................................................................................................
......................................................... 41
SETTING IMAGES AS BACKGROUNDS................................................................
................................................................................................................................
........................................................................ 43
CREATING LINKS BETWEEN ITEMS ................................................................
................................................................................................................................
........................................................................... 47
CHANGING LINE COLOR, SIZE, ATTITUDE AND DIRECTION................................
................................................................................................................................
............................................................................ 49
UTILIZING MICROSOFT WORD 2007................................................................
................................................................................................................................
....................................................................... 51
ANNEX II: LAYOUTS ................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................. 63
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WRITTEN INTELLIGENCE VS. VISUAL INTELLIGENCE ................................
................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................... 65
HOW TO LAYOUT YOUR LINK CHART ................................................................
................................................................................................................................
....................................................................... 66
BASIC LAYOUT ................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
.................................................................... 66
CONCLUSION ................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
...................................................................... 68
SOURCES ................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
........................................................................... 69
PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION................................................................
................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................... 75
SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION ................................................................
................................................................................................................................
...................................................................... 76
I2 CONTACT INFORMATION ................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
................................................... 77
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Background
This guidebook is an attempt to summarize essential skills in i2’s Analyst Notebook 925 page user guide The techniques in
book uide.
this guidebook are a small glimpse of what i2 Analyst Notebook 8 is capable of producing. A fledgling i2 user should not be bound to
these steps when creating a presentable or analytical link chart. All of the steps in this handbook can be combined in several different
ways. Steps from the Advanced Techniques Annex can be combined with steps from the Introductory Techniques Annex and vice
ays.
versa.
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3928 Wayne Street
Erie, PA 16546
http://www.mciis.org/
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Annex I
Introductory and Basic Techniques
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Opening i2 Analyst Notebook 8
Step 1
(1) Click Start
(2) Then click All Programs
(3) Then click i2. Next click i2 Analyst
Notebook 8
(4) Finally, click i2 Analyst Notebook 8. 2
3
1
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Page and Printer Setup
A crucial skill to making good link charts is using a given amount of space efficiently. The analyst must designate what is
he
important and set aside the required space for it. The mo difficult aspect of creating a link chart is to effective use the space to
most o effectively
create a visually aesthetic chart that is easy to follow while accurately portraying intelligence. Therefore, when preparing to create a
link chart, it is recommended that the first step is to setup the page area. The reason for this is so the analyst identifies available
workspace for the link chart. Note: setting up the page will also set up the correct printer destination.
Step 1 1
(1) Click File in the upper right hand
corner
(2) Then click Page Setup
2
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Step 2
Note: These steps are required for large
(plotter size) link charts.
The page setup box will appear. Click
Printer Setup to select the proper
printer.
Step 3
Select Printer CLASSIFIED
CLASSIFIEDMCIISPRO5.
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Step 4
Select paper size ANSI E and click OK.
Step 5
The page border will appear and the analyst
can begin populating the page space.
Objects
in here
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Saving
WARNING: i2 often tends to freeze up, whic requires the analyst to close i2 and reboot it, losing any information that
which
was placed in i2 from the last saving point. Saving is an extremely important part of working with i2. Save constantly and correctly.
.
Click the symbol on the top left hand side, fill the appropriate information and save in the desired location. Save in at least three
different locations.
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th
The 7 central
Node (The pink Administrative
terrorism box) Title
What Your Link Chart Should H
Have Before You Begin Information
provides a more
target centric
model. In this
example, all
aspects of
Afghanistan are
influenced by Al- Tasking
Qaida and other
terrorist
organizations. Analytical
Findings
Link
analysis of
structure,
function,
and
process
Legend
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Country Study Link Chart Grading Rubric
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Different Cursors
There are two cursor options within i2, and each serve a different purpose. Confusion in cursors can lead an analyst to believe
,
his or her chart is frozen, causing much unneeded frustration.
Drag Chart: This cursor will
drag the chart for viewing
purposes. This is used for
viewing the chart and will
not change an object’s
location or state.
Select/Move: This cursor
will select objects and
move the objects as the
analyst wishes. This is
used for creating and
editing charts.
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Objects and Links
Once the page is setup, various objects (i.e. icons, pictures, boxes, circles, links, titles, legends, etc…) can be selected and
arious
placed onto the page. Furthermore, links can be established between objects to show relationships and relevance.
inks
Icons
Step 1
Click the button on the top right
hand corner to view icons.
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Step 2
Click on the desired icon and drag it onto the page.
Note: The icons must be set to common (indicated by
the add chart items box on right).
Step 3
To select from more objects, click the on
the top right. To find more objects click the
search or click all entity types
types.
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Entity Representations
Representation Add Chart Items Task Bar Button Example
ICON
THEME LINE
EVENT FRAME
BOX
CIRCLE
TEXT BLOCK
OLE OBJECT
Piece of text
LABEL
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More Chart Items
Once the page is established, various objects (i.e. icons, pictures, boxes, circles, links, titles, legends, etc…) can be selected
,
and placed onto the page. Refer to the page numbers to learn more about the objects.
Event Frame Circle
Page 101
Icon OLE Object (Pictures)
Page 31
Theme Line Box Text Block
Page 100
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Miscellaneous Tips
Each item will have an identity (circled in red). To move the identity around the item, simply press and hold
n
the (ALT) key and click the identity and drag to the desired location.
ick
Hold and Drag
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To move multiple items together, click and highlight the items completely and the item identities will
, item’s
shade black. Simply click and drag one of the items which will in turn drag all the selected items along with it.
turn
Drag and release
your cursor here.
Place the cursor
on a location
outside the area Place the cursor on a highlighted area, left
you want to click, and drag
drag.
encapsulate
within the square.
Left click and hold
down to draw
your square. Drag
the cursor to the Drag
other end of the
Meeting 1 box.
Lastly, release
your cursor (The
left click).
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Using the Edit Box
All chart items can be edited by double clicking on the item or by right clicking and selecting “edit item properties Once the
properties.”
edit box comes up a plethora of options are available to the analyst. Edits can be made to the object’s color, size, font, text and more.
thora text,
Double
Click
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Possible Entity Information (Displayed Below the Entity)
Theme Line (Refer to Annex III)
Refer
Pin
Label
Available Fields
Description
Source Type
Source
Reference
Grades
Date & Time
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Editing An Item’s Text
Edit an items
Identity
No two items can have
the same identity. To
overcome this, select
this box and fill the
desired item’s name in
the box labeled “labels”
Enter desired name for
item after selecting the
check box from above.
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Note: References are
required
Editing An Item’s Description & Grade
Students should place their URL source under the REFERENCE box. If students have more
than one URL source, place the main URL source in the Reference box, and paste the
remaining URL sources under the DESCRIPTION box.
The analyst can enter
a description of the
item and/or use this
area for sourcing.
Grades Source
Where the item’s info came
Grade A-E from (i.e. Informant, record,
victim, witness, officer, etc…)
Grade 1-5
Reference the item’s source.
This can be done either by URL
Classification (i.e. or reference document on drive.
top secret, secret,
unclassified, etc…)
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Editing An Item’s Type (Color, Size, Shading, & More)
Select to change item’s size
to desired proportions.
Select pull down list to order
Select color to desired
items by type. By selecting
shading for Item. This
color the items color may be
will shade an icon,
changed.
NOT a text box, box or
a circle.
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Note: This is optional and not necessary
when making a presentable link chart.
Editing An Item’s Display
If one wants to display information regarding the item below the icon, then this feature would be used. Displayed information includ
ould includes
date & time, description, grades, labels, pin, source reference and source type.
Date & Time: Displays date & time which is entered
in the “Data” folder above the “Style” folder.
Date & Time: Displays date & time which is entered in
the “Data” folder, which is above the “
“Style” folder.
Description: A description of the item. The
description is entered in the “Data” folder.
Description: & Grades: This is where the
description, along with grades,
classification, source type and reference
can be entered.
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Note: This is optional and not necessary
when making a presentable link chart.
Grades: Entered under the description
and grade section of the “Data” folder.
Grades: Shows the items grades, which include g grade
1 (A-E), grade 2 (1-5), and grade 3 (classification).
5),
Label: The items label (or identity)
Label: Entered under the identity
section of the “Data” folder.
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Note: This is optional and not necessary
when making a presentable link chart.
Pin: connects items to theme lines (theme lines are
timelines. This is discussed in Annex III (page #).
sed
Source Reference & Type: Shows the Items
source/reference (can be either URL or document from
drive). Source Type shows where the source came from
e
(Informant, intelligence, officer, witness, victim, etc…).
Source Reference & Type: can be entered
in the description and grades section of the
“Data” folder.
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Editing An Item’s Font
This font area operates much like Microsoft word would and is self explanatory.
The font changes font, font style changes style (bold, italics, etc…), size changes
font size, color changes font color and shading highlights the font.
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OLE Objects
OLE Objects are, for the most part, images. Videos can be added to the link chart through this object (Media Clip). There are
many ways to add images to i2. We will explore some of those ways.
e
OLE Objects
As with the icons, simply click and drag any
of these objects. It is n relevant which
not
one is chosen The only difference is the
chosen.
label will be different (label can be changed
or erased).
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When the object is clicked and dragged onto the screen, this “insert object” box
appears. From here a plethora of options are available. Only the key points will
be discussed. Also, if an image is saved on the computer’s drive, the image may
n
be placed with the “create from file” feature.
Selecting this will allow the
analyst to upload their
images from the computer
or a flash drive.
The results area of the “Insert
Objects” box will show the results
of each section.
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Select “Bitmap Image.” A Microsoft paint window will come up.
Images can be pasted in and with the editing tools of paint the
picture can be formatted or simply left alone. Exit the paint
window and the image will appear on i2. Images can also simply be
.
drawn on Paint and brought to i2 by exiting the paint window.
Once the image is inserted into
word and formatted to the
analyst’s needs, simply exit the
paint window and the image
will appear on i2.
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Once the image is in it can be
edited just like any other item,
by double clicking on the object.
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The “create from file” selection
can be used to import images
from the computer’s (or
network) drive into i2.
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Select the desired image.
Click OK and the
image will appear
on the i2 sheet.
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Finding High Resolution Images on Google Images
Go To
http://www.google.com/
and click Images
Type in Key Word
Click Search Images
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Click Large. This will refine
your image search to only
large, high resolution
images.
After clicking Large high
Large,
resolution images will
appear.
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Use these
Additional
options to
further refine
your search
Refer to next page for information
regarding theme colors.
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To find pictures to match
a certain color theme for
your report or link chart,
use this feature
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Copying and Pasting Images from online – The Easiest Way to Place Pictures From Online To i2
m
Go online and find
desired picture, right
click on picture and
picture,
select “copy
“copy.”
Select “Edit” on the tool bar and
click “Paste Special…”
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Simply select “OK”
Simply select “OK.”
Commence editing
picture as desired.
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Setting Images as Backgrounds
Setting images (or any other i2 object) as a background can be very beneficial. Backgrounds can be set in order to prevent the
items from falling behind other items. For this exampl we will be using two maps, which will be set as backgrounds so icons and
example, h
links can be placed over them (geo-spacial layout; Pag 73).
spacial Page
Both pictures are currently not backgrounds a able
and
to be moved. The first step will be to select both
images by holding Ctrl and clicking both images.
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Click on View and select Make Background.
The images are now a background and other
objects are ready to be laid over the images.
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Afghanistan Pakistan
The chart items remain over the background and will not fall to back if the picture
where still an image instead of a background.
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Afghanistan Pakistan
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Creating Links Between Items
Once chart items are established, links can be made between items to show relation, flow, or relevance.
Inserts corners
on already
established
links.
Creates link
between two Changes link’s color
items. and name without
having to double click
le
to open editing box.
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Click, place
crosshair over
the item and
click on the item.
Click the second
desired item.
Multiple links can be
established between
items. Furthermore,
the links can be edited
to show direction and
color and thickness
can be changed. The
e
number of links can
be shown to reflect
the strength of the
relationship.
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Confirmed creates a smooth line,
Changing Link Color, Size, Attitude, & Direction unconfirmed creates a dashed
To change color, select “color” under the line, and tentative creates a
palette and a list of colors will appear. dotted line.
Increases line thickness,
ranges from 1-32.
Changes links into
arrows which
shows direction.
If one wanted to change the top six links at once, start by holding down the “Ctrl” key and selecting the top six links. Double click one of the
Double
links and bring up the edit box, the select “Type” under the “style”, then “Links” folder. Here we can change the links width strength (dotted &
width,
dashed lines), color, and direction.
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Links showing all four described changes.
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Utilizing Microsoft Word 2007 in i2
Microsoft Word 2007 offers a plethora of visual features that allow for most, if not all shapes, nodes, arrows, titles, legen
legends,
etc…, to be made on word and placed on i2 as a background where other i2 objects can be layered over the backg
background. Microsoft
excel charts can be utilized the same way as word graphics Below are a few examples of link charts that utilize Microsoft Word and
graphics.
Excel 2007.
*Note: i2 does not have the color orange for arrows or shape outline.
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This chart illustrates how Microsoft smart art and excel graphs can be utilized to visually present information with features and
shapes that i2 does not offer. These features include thick, gradient arrows that bend smoothly. Smooth gradient arrows are more
aesthetically pleasing to the human eye. i2’s bend link feature tends to bend abruptly. The only parts of this chart that did not derive
’s tends
from Microsoft word are the information within the 10 circles surrounding the Salix node.
Template for i2 created using Microsoft Word 2007. Other
The final i2 chart once the template was populated with
Microsoft word items where added separately to the chart
the proper information using i2 chart items.
along with other excel chart items.
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Vs.
Using Microsoft Word 2007’s smart chart and shape
features, this template was created and then turned to a JPG
The image was set as a background (page 43) and the
appropriate i2 objects were placed within the designated
nodes and links were created. This creates an extremely
file via screen shot.
visual chart with flowing, gradie colored arrows.
gradient
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The three main features used to create templates to insert into
i2 are “Shapes”, “Smart Art”, and “Word Art.” Basic templates
can be created using strictly shapes. However, for more
advanced visual templates, “Smart Art” should be used. “Word
,
Art” is used strictly for creating text that can bend. This enables
the bent text to be placed over a bent arrow.
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To insert a shape, click on the desired shape, and with the crosshair on the
sheet, create the desired proportions for the shape. In our example here we
pe.
are using a rectangle. To add text into the rectangle, simply right click on the
rectangle and select “Edit Text.”
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Select multiple
shapes and use
the align feature
to perfectly align
the shapes.
The “bring to front”
and “send to back”
selections are very
important in layering
objects over one
another. For
example, this shape
(the one you are
Fills the shape with the desired
reading in) is in
color. Furthermore, the Changes the sha
shape’s
Gives the shape a shadow. Also “front” of the picture
shape’s color can be made border/outline color and
note the 3-d effects on the
d behind it.
gradient. This can be used thickness. Can also make the
effectively with arrows. right of the shadow effects
shape’s outline dashed.
feature.
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were made with Smart Art
Example of Smart Art Graphics
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Click the “Word Art” icon and choose the
desired text type (a simple font is preferred).
Click OK Once the font type is chosen, enter the
desired text.
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Drag
Once the desired text is ent
he entered, text wrap
the text to be in front of text and bend
the word as needed to fit the grade of the
curved shape or arrow.
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The word art is now over the arrow. The
analyst is ready to take a print screen, crop
the image in paint and copy and paste it into
i2.
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Annex II
Layouts
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Written Intelligence vs. Visual Intelligence
A link chart is a tool to visually convey information or intelligence to a decision maker (DM). Most DMs don’t want lenghty
y intelligence
reports. Sometimes, DMs may not have time to read your report. A link chart offers the solution to this problem. A link chart
substitutes written information with visual information. Furthermor a link chart aids in visually mapping ideas, easily conveying
Furthermore, ing
information and visually helping to close intelligence gaps. A link chart is a great tool because it takes large amounts of information
and visually and accurately depicts it onto one sheet. A link chart can also identify patterns in data that might be missed using other
to
analytical approaches. Furthermore, the advanced charting techniques will reduce the time spent on analysis and deliver rich,
actionable intelligence.
During the analysis process, analysts have several different analytical models at their disposal. Because one model does not
rocess, ecause
work for every problem. The model that works best for a certain problem is the one the analyst should use. The same is true about
link charts. There are several different approaches to making a link chart. These approaches come in the form of different types of
re
layouts. The layout the analyst will use depend on the problem, the amount of space provided, and whether or not the analyst is
depends
making the chart for presentation or analysis. If the analyst is making a chart with the intent to print it, then space becomes a factor. If
t
printing is not a factor, then the analyst does not have to take space into consideration. Note: Why space is a facor to take into
consideration is discused on page nine of this guidebook.
From Written to Visual
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How to Layout your Link Chart
Depending on the problem, and possibly the amount of space, there are several ways to layout your link chart. These layouts
are described in detail throughout this section.
Basic Layout
The Basic layout is the term used for the most rudimentary layout for a link chart. This approach simply populates the chart
with boxes that will be used to categorize information. Next, the relevant information can then be placed into the appropriate boxes in
d
the link chart. After this, information in the chart can then be linked to one another in terms of their relevance This approach is good
relevance.
for learning how to make a link chart, but is not the most effective method for analyzing information or intelligence. This is because
analyzing
the information is not layed out in an “objective orientated” manner; the information is scattered rather than targeted at an objective,
;
goal, or intelligence gap.
Legend Title
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Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies
Example of a Basic Layout
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Conclusion
This guidebook is an attempt to summarize pertinent information from i2’s guide book and other additional sources. To
’s
access the sources used to create this guidebook please follow the steps shown in the next few pages. For add
guidebook, additional comments or
questions, please contact professor Mulligan or the authors. If students wish to see additional information added to this guidebook, or
ulligan
notice any errors, please contact the authors.
We sincerely enjoyed creating this guidebook. W
When we began creating this guidebook, we thought we had a healthy
,
understanding of how to use i2. By the time we were polishing up the end product, we were far more proficient in i2 than we ever
.
dreamed. Until Analyst Notebook 9 comes out, we hope this guideb
guidebook helps students so they can spend more time on analysis and
less time figuring out how to use i2 Analyst Notebook 8.
James E. Gallagher
Michael B. Gallagher
Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies
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Step 1
Click Start.
Step 2
Click All Programs.
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Step 3
Click i2. Then Documentation.
From here, you can read the
four PDF files that make up i2’s
user guide. You can also watch
i2’s three Quick Start Videos.
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Step 4
Click on My Computer on the
desktop, and then click on dept
on 'Classified' (S), also known as
the shared drive.
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Step 5
Click on the Class Files
folder.
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Step 6
Click on the i2 Training folder.
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Step 7
These folders contain handouts from
i2 workshops that Prof. Grabelski
attended. In addition, the folder on
the left has sample charts made by i2.
Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies
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Primary Contact Information
Daniel F. Mulligan
Instructor
E: dmulligan@mercyhurst.edu
http://www.mciis.org/
Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies
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Secondary Contact Information
James E. Gallaghe
Gallagher Michael B. Gallagher
MCIIS Student MCIIS Student
E: jgallagher@visiwik.com E: mgallagher@visiwik.com
E: jgalla79@mercyhurst.edu E: mgalla22@mercyhurst.edu
http://www.visiwik.com/
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i2 USA Offices For General Inquiries
E: info.americas@i2group.com
Eastern Region Western Region T: +1-703-921-0195
McLean, VA Tucson, AZ Toll free: 888-546-5242
http://www.i2group.com/
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Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies