SmartDraw Ecomaps Center

The Ecomap SmartPanel

The easiest way to build an ecomap would be to start with a SmartDraw ecomap SmartTemplate and then use the Ecomap SmartPanel located at the left side of your work area.

The SmartPanel will walk you through the process of creating an ecomap in just a few, easy steps.

Ecomap Basics

At the center of an ecomap is the client (this can either be a family or individual) with connections to other family members and relevant systems that are at play in the client's life. The connection lines can mean multiple things:

• Thicker (darker) lines mean stronger relationships
• Curvy or red lines denote stressful relationships
• Arrows pointing to the client mean that the system primarily influences the client
• Arrows pointing to the system mean that the client primarily influences the system
• Arrows pointing both direction depict mutual influence

Adding a client

Start by selecting a person to add to the chart. Use the docked Genogram library to select a person. Typically, a circle will depict a female and a square a male. Additional symbols can modify the status of a person and mark them as depressed, deceased, pregnant, a smoker, and so on. These are all available in the SmartDraw library.

To add a person to the page, select a symbol from the previews in the SmartPanel and click anywhere on the page to add them. This action is called stamping. You can also drag-and-drop symbols from the libraries.

Building a Family Unit

To add family members, partners, and expand the family unit, click on any of the Add Elements buttons in the SmartPanel.

For example, after you add a parent using the Add Parent button to add another parent, click on the parent you just added and click on Add Partner.

To add a sibling, select one of the parents, and click on Add Child.

The buttons will always add the last symbol selected.