📊 citracer - Visualize how research ideas connect together
Citracer helps researchers map the history of academic ideas. It scans research papers to find citations and builds a visual map. You see how one author builds on the work of another. This tool simplifies the literature review process by turning lists of papers into an interactive graph.
🛠 Features
- PDF Analysis: The tool reads your PDF files and extracts key metadata.
- Graph Rendering: It generates a visual network of your research concepts.
- Citation Tracking: It maps the lineage of an idea across multiple decades.
- Local Processing: Your documents stay on your computer for privacy.
- Search Filters: You find specific authors or dates within the map.
⚙️ System Requirements
Citracer runs on Windows 10 or Windows 11. Your computer needs at least 8 gigabytes of RAM to process large batches of papers. You should have a modern processor and a stable internet connection for the initial setup.
📥 Getting Started
Follow these steps to install the software.
- Visit the official repository page to download the installer.
- Locate the file named citracer-setup.exe in your Downloads folder.
- Double-click the file to start the installation.
- Follow the prompts on your screen to complete the setup.
- Launch the application from your Start menu.
🖥 Using the Interface
The interface consists of three main areas. The top menu bar contains your file controls. The left panel shows your current list of papers. The large center pane displays your citation graph.
To add papers, click the Import button in the top menu. Select the folder containing your PDF files. Citracer scans each document. It identifies the title, author, and reference list. This takes a few minutes depending on the file count.
Once the scan finishes, the graph appears. Each node represents a paper. Lines between nodes represent citations. You click a node to see the details of a paper. You drag your mouse to move the graph around. Use your mouse scroll wheel to zoom in on specific connections.
📈 Improving Your Research Flow
Research often involves hundreds of documents. A spreadsheet captures facts but fails to capture structure. Citracer provides structure. When you see a dense cluster of nodes, you identify a core topic in your field. When you see a small, distant group of nodes, you identify a niche area for potential inquiry.
You export the graph as a high-resolution image for your manuscripts. You also export the underlying data as a CSV file if you prefer to sort the information in other programs.
🔍 Frequently Asked Questions
Does this software send my data to a server? No. Citracer processes your files locally on your machine. Your research stays private.