SmartDraw Family Trees Center

FAMILY TREES (cont'd)

Automatic Box Spacing (no overlap)

By default, SmartDraw automatically spaces the boxes on your Tree evenly, and it prevents subordinate branches from overlapping.

You can turn this feature off, to have more control over spacing.

1. On the Family Tree tab, click the More arrow to reveal more commands.

2. Click Use Auto-Spacing to turn it off. Click it again to turn it back on.

Warning!
Turning this feature off after building a large chart can cause it to overlap in unattractive ways. You may need to adjust the chart afterward.

Changing Box Appearance

You can change the outside shape of the box, or the inside layout (text and pictures).

1. On the Descendent tab (if building Descendent Tree) or the Ancestry tab (if building Ancestry Tree), click Change Box.

2. Choose a new layout or shape.

If your box already contains pictures or text, it will be rearranged.

Change Branch Shape (on Descendent Tree)

Each individual branch (a linked group of subordinates) can have its own configuration, or shape.

To change a branch shape.

1. Click on the branch line to select it. (Black handles will appear on the line.)

2. On the Family Tree tab, click Change Layout.

3. Choose a new Branch Shape from the gallery.

Continue reading to learn more.