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:
- Each person is represented by a node (corresponding to an individual record, INDI, in Gedcom)
- Marriages are represented by a node (family nodes, corresponding to a family record, FAM). Each family has maximum two partners / parents.
- The parent nodes of a family are connected to the family node by edges leading from the parents to the family.
- The children of a family are connected to the family node by edges leading from the family node to the child nodes.
- Edges between two family or two individual nodes are not allowed.
- Family nodes must be recognizable by their fill color (i.e. all family nodes must have the same color which has to be specified in the Distinguish Node Types Tab).
- All nodes which are not recognized as family nodes are interpreted as individual nodes.
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.