Family Tree Layout

The family tree layout is intended to lay out genealogic data (family trees). It is especially suitable
for data which are retrieved from the common Gedcom format, since the graphs this layouter can handle
are similarly organized: Individuals are represented by nodes as well as families / marriages between
individuals, corresponding to Gedcom’s individual (INDI) and family records (FAM), respectively.

To apply the family tree layout to a graph, some prerequisites have to be fulfilled:

Graphs imported from Gedcom files by the built-in import handler for Gedcom files (*.ged) fulfill these requirements.

Distinguish Node Types Tab

The family tree layouter distinguishes the node types by their fill color. The color for family nodes must
be defined because the layouter needs to distinguish family and individual nodes. Nodes with fill colors
other than that for family nodes will be interpreted as individual nodes. The layouter will work correctly
without specifying colors for male and female individuals, however sorting of family members by their sex
will not produce the desired results.

Color For Families

Nodes having that fill color are recognized as family nodes.

Color For Males

Nodes having that fill color are recognized as male individuals.

Color For Females

Nodes having that fill color are recognized as female individuals.

Layout Tab

The placement and alignment of the nodes are determined by these settings.

Orientation

Determines the main layout orientation. The graph is layed out from the oldest generation to the youngest.

Top To Bottom

The layout orientation will be from top to bottom, i.e. the oldest generation will be placed on top, the youngest
at the bottom.

Left To Right

The layout orientation will be from left to right, i.e. the oldest generation will be placed on the left.

Bottom To Top

The layout orientation will be from bottom to top, i.e. the oldest generation will be placed at the bottom.

Right To Left

The layout orientation will be from right to left, i.e. the oldest generation will be placed on the right.

Family Without Partner Centered

If enabled, family nodes with only one parent node will be placed centered below the parent node.
Thus, a direct inheritance line can be displayed more clearly.

Families Always Below

If enabled, family nodes will be shifted slightly towards the children’s generation. If not enabled,
the family nodes will be placed between its parent nodes.

Vertical Node Alignment

Determines the alignment of nodes within one generation.

Top (Parent’s Side)

The border towards the parent’s side of the nodes will be aligned. In a top to bottom layout this will be the
top border.

Centered

The geometric center of the nodes will be aligned.

Bottom (Children’s Side)

The border towards the children’s side of the nodes will be aligned. In a top to bottom layout this will be the
bottom border.

Sort Family Members

If male and female individuals can be distinguished (see Distinguish Node Type Tab), it is possible
to sort the members of a family (parents and children) by their sex.

Do Not Sort

The nodes will not be sorted.

Prefer Females First

Within the children of a family the daughters will be placed first (i.e. left in a top to bottom layout).
Parents are only sorted if no extra edge crossings will be introduced by sorting.

Force Females First

Within a family the females will always be placed first, even if that results in extra edge crossings.

Prefer Males First

Within the children of a family the sons will be placed first (i.e. left in a top to bottom layout).
Parents are only sorted if no extra edge crossings will be introduced by sorting.

Force Males First

Within a family the males will always be placed first, even if that results in extra edge crossings.

Minimum Distances

Determines the minimum distances between the nodes within a generation and between generations.
It is however possible that the layout forces larger distances.

Between Partners

Determines the distance between partners / parents. Large or multiple family nodes may lead to larger distances.

Between Siblings

Determines the distance between individual nodes which are not married with each other within a generation.

Offset For Family Nodes

For Family nodes which are placed shifted towards the children (below their parents in a top to bottom layout)
this value will be added to the shift.

Between Generations

Determines the minimum distance between two generations.

Segment Before Branch

Determines the (minimum) length of the common segment of the edges which lead from family nodes to the child
nodes (i.e. the segment from the family node to the branch).

Segment After Branch

Determines the (minimum) length of the segment between the branch and the child nodes of those edges
which lead from family nodes to the children.

Advanced Layout

Separate Components

If enabled, non-connected parts (components) of the graph will be separated.

Distance between Components

Determines the distance between the components of the graph.

Component Arrangement

No Arrangement

Does not change the arrangement of components.

Multiple Rows

Components are arranged in rows.

Single Row

Arranges components side by side in a single row.

Single Column

Arranges components in a single column.

Packed Rectangle

Rectangular component arrangement.

Compact Rectangle

Rectangular component arrangement where gaps within components are used to place other components.

Packed Circle

Circular component arrangement.

Compact Circle

Circular component arrangement where gaps within components are used to place other components.