Pages
Octopus implements containers to represent web pages, application screens, dialog boxes, and logical entities. You can create pages, edit, move them, change their type, add and delete content blocks without any limitations.
There are three Container types:
- Page imitates regular site pages or app screens; this is the default type.
- Frames represent modal and dialog boxes. This container type comes with dotted outlines.
- The Ghost container type stands for entities that are important in terms of structure but won't be implemented as pages, screens, or dialog boxes. Ghosts have no outlines and reduced margins, to draw less attention.
Note, to switch between types, select a container, and hit the circle icon that appears below
Pages
-
To simplify navigating through structures for your team, Octopus.do features the thumbnail view where we replace every container with an image.
To activate the mode, hit the button with the picture icon in the top-right. This shows thumbnails where they exist and allows adding new ones: simply hover over a container and use the provided controls.
Notes:
- Replacing a thumbnail is about deleting the existing one and adding another via controls.
- Activating the thumbnail view is available to users permitted to view the project.
-
Octopus.do allows prototyping for web and mobile. While the default view is about pages, you can switch to app screens by using the "Mobile frames" switch in the project settings drop-down; a button with three dots in the top-right.
-
Octopus.do provides unlimited branching for your prototype. To add a new section, hover over the space below your sitemap and hit the plus-sign button. To remove any section, just delete its top page.
Blocks
Every site page or app screen in your structure can include blocks to represent content. You can design a color scheme for your projects where each block color represents a content type like meta-title, meta-description, title, body; you name it.
Blocks provide a bird's eye view of your project. You can add, edit, move blocks, change color, and delete them.
On top of that, you can zoom in on blocks to edit in-block content. That proves useful when aggregating outputs built by your teammates.
Blocks
-
In-block editing is performed via Notes. Hover over the block and push the note icon located on the right. Once you add a note, the note icon will always remain visible near the block.
-
To add a legend, hit the “Color legend” switch in the project settings (a button with three dots at the top-right).
Estimate
Octopus provides project time and cost estimates on a page-by-page basis. You define the production times and hourly rates for different specialists on your team, and Octopus uses the data to calculate the total project cost.
The Estimation panel allows defining the time intervals needed to produce each page or app screen. The totals can be then seen in the Estimates table, where you can also set proper hourly rates, define project stages, and calculate related costs.
Estimate
-
Navigate to the Estimates settings by pushing the button with the slider icon in the top-right of the panel and select the currency you want to use with your project. We support all world currencies.
-
Octopus.do allows specifying project timelines in hours. No smaller units are available.
Saving
We take your data seriously and implement auto-saving to prevent losses. Auto-saving works on a per-action basis: once you make any action, it gets saved.
To explicitly save a project, hit the “Save” button (either the arrow icon in the top-right or the flashing “Save” button in the bottom-right). This will generate a unique shareable link.
Once the link gets generated, you see a pop-up dialog where you can either save the reference to your bookmarks (no signup required) or save the project to your Profile (requires having an account).
-
Saving to PDF or PNG only works with projects saved to your account. Please, add the project to your Profile and try again.
-
While Octopus automatically saves your work on a per-action basis, it requires an active internet connection. Please, check if you’re connected to the internet.
-
In case you did not generate the unique project link by hitting “Save,” it’s not possible to restore your project.
If you did save a project without adding it to your Profile, use your browser history to navigate between the saved project states (Cmd + Y for Mac or Ctrl + Y for Win). If you just closed the browser tab with your project, try restoring it (Cmd + Shift + T for Mac or Ctrl + Shift + T for Win).
Sharing
You can share projects via links generated with the “Save” option. The links come with either Read-Only or Edit permissions.
-
We don’t limit the number of users that can work on a single project. The only requirement for them is having the project shared with Edit permissions. Changes made by your teammates are added to your project in real-time.
-
Even if you shared your work with Edit permissions, you could still restrict access to your project by archiving it. Once archived, navigating the project link will result in a notification stating that the project can not be viewed. Archiving is a PRO Octopus feature.
To archive a project, make sure you’re logged in, and the project is added to your Profile (for this, use the button with user icon in the top-right). Then, switch to the Projects list, hit the three-dots button related to the project you want to archive, and choose “Archive.”
You may also choose to delete a project. This is done by selecting “Delete” in the Projects list. This permanently removes a project with no recovery options. Navigating the unique project link will then result in 404.
Account
-
A 14-day trial period allows using Octopus without registration. Hit “Save” to generate a unique link storing your project state; use the link to continue working on your project without registration.
-
We suspend projects when the trial period comes to an end. You can continue working on the project after signing up by saving it to the Projects list in your account. However, please note that we archive the list of suspended projects from time to time.
-
You can change project avatars in the account settings. Hit the button with a user icon in the top-right, pick “Settings,” and upload your avatar.
-
To restore a lost password, use the “forgot password” in the authorization pop-up and follow the step-by-step instructions. We’ll send a password recovery link to your email.
-
Archiving a project frees up a slot in your Projects list. That’s useful for projects where any ongoing work is suspended.
When trying to access archived projects via Read-Only or Edit link, you’ll see a notification stating the project is archived. Viewing or editing such projects is not allowed.You can activate any archived project and continue your work; all the project settings will also be restored. Note, to activate your project, there should be a free slot in your Projects list.
-
No, we don’t currently provide such functionality.
-
You can delete your account in the account settings. Hit the button with the user icon in the top-right. Navigate to the “Settings” tab and pick “Delete my account.” This action also removes all of your projects.
-
If you have a code, simply copy and paste it into the “redeem code” field during new registration. If the code has expired or is entered incorrectly, an error message will be displayed. New registration can be done on the main page by clicking on the profile icon on the right, then clicking on the Sign up link.
Purchasing
We use the Braintree payment service. It supports PayPal wallets, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and Discover cards.
-
You can upgrade or downgrade your subscription at any time. When downgrading, your current plan will stay valid until the end of your billing cycle. When upgrading, the new plan takes effect immediately; the amount already paid will be considered according to the terms of your new plan.
-
If the number of your projects exceeds the number of free slots in the Projects list, any extra projects will be archived (to check out the archived projects, use the “Archive” link in the Projects list). Once you activate any paid subscription, you will be able to restore archived projects.
-
Octopus provides links to monthly invoices in your account. To access your invoices, please visit the Subscription page of your Profile.
Also, we can automatically send transactional emails with invoices to the email address associated with your account. Switch the “Receive Invoice by e-mail” ON in your Settings page to enable this option.
Still have a question?
Still have a question? Should you have any questions or require assistance, please visit our Help center for more detailed info.