Ideas on how to do a large family tree with Indesign

[kimhuff1701]

I just got a job to do a very large family tree with 170 entries.  I would really like to use InDesign but I am struggling to figure out the best way to create all of those little boxes.  Has anyone made a family tree with InDesign or does anyone have suggestions on the best way to do it.

Thanks,

Kim

[jane-e]

Use a document grid and set it to an appropriate flexible increment.

Use object styles for the boxes and lines without overrides for ease in making changes.

Use paragraph styles for the text.

(If it were me, I would use Illustrator.)

For making lots of boxes, experiment with both Gridify and also Step and Repeat. Delete boxes in the middle that you don't need, and move others over if necessary. A majority of them will fit into a grid.

[kimhuff1701]

Jane-e,

Thanks for the quick response.  I haven't used any of the things you mentioned in InDesign so I would need to play with those. I do use Illustrator, but I am definitely not as good at Illustrator as I am with InDesign.

How would you go about doing it in Illustrator?

Thanks,

Kim

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Hi Jane,

Happy New Year!

I always keep changing my mind as to which application is better for creating charts like this. Most recently, I've been creating them in InDesign and I think it's actually easier. Mostly because I like to center the text, top to bottom, in the Frame and you can't easily do that in Illustrator. Beyond that, I think Paragraph and Character Style are far superior in InDesign.

Another point for doing it in InDesign: If I have multiple charts in my InDesign layout, and the charts are Placed from Illustrator, I have to make sure they are all placed at the same scale percentage or the type sizes within the charts will vary from one chart to the next. Creating the charts directly in InDesign, the type will be a consistent size following a Paragraph Style I set up.

Best,

Jeff

[kimhuff1701]

Hi Jeff,

Have you ever made a family tree?  If so, I'd love to see how you went about it.  I have 170 entries to create.  We are looking at a 36x48 size page. I am worried about manipulating all these boxes moving them around and the lines connecting them.  How did you handle that?

Thanks,

Kim

[Test Screen Name]

Personally I'd look for a family tree maker. It will be designed to do a lot of things automatically that will take you forever.

[Derek Cross]

I agree with Test Screen Name. If you want a small, bespoke chart, you can create it in InDesign, but if it’s large and you need to update it regularly, then you definately need to use a proper genealogy application, such as Family Tree Maker.

[BobLevine]

Just because you have a hammer does not make the entire world a nail. I’m casting another vote for Family Tree Maker or some other specialized application. InDesign is NOT the right tool for this.

[jane-e]

I just looked up Family Tree Maker and have two questions:

1. Our family tree goes back quite a few generations and is possibly bigger than the 170 entries that the OP mentioned. Right now it's online on Geni. Is there a size limit on Family Tree Maker?
   
   
2. And it seems to be Windows only. Is that true?

[MW Design]

Jane:

#1. The family tree my wife has done for years goes back through several branches into the 1600s. It can handle it well. And we've printed it.

#2. Yep. It's a Windows application.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

For doing organization charts, which is basically what a family tree is, I would use the following programs since they can keep lines attached when moving objects:

• Microsoft Visio
• CorelDRAW
• Microsoft Word or PowerPoint using Smart Art

The first two are Windows only.

[Derek Cross]

For Mac I recommend Reunion: Reunion for Macintosh

[Colin Flashman · Accepted solution]

If this is a one-off project, then I too would use Family Tree Maker to make the pedigree charts. InDesign is great for most layout purposes, but not in this instance. InDesign can be used for the rest of the project (i.e. tales and anecdotes from the family etc) but the pedigree charts will be easier to do in FTM.

For my own family tree, all the data was plotted using Ancestry and then exported as a GEDCOM file and imported into free Mac software called Gramps.

My employer has an application especially made for it that takes a GEDCOM file and transforms it into text that is easier to manipulate in InDesign. This software is not off-the-shelf, it was created by a family tree enthusiast and is a bespoke application. That said, the software is running in DOS and we're looking to find an XML-based solution before the software can no longer run. However, every expert I've asked at the conferences I've attended in the last three years say the same thing when I mention this issue: "What's a GEDCOM file?". If anyone from Ancestry.com is reading this, I'd be interested in a PM.

Similarly, if I was preparing a Chemistry book, I'd rather use Chemdraw to draw the organic compounds rather than illustrator; and if I was setting up a book of sheet music, I'd rather use Sibelius.

[Kasyan Servetsky]

I am a big genealogy fan. In my opinion, the best software for this task is MyHeritage Family Tree Builder.

You can create a family tree adding all the info you have about the people: important dates, facts, photos, etc.

Then you can export it as a chart to PDF/Jpeg format.

Premium members (payed account) have much more options: e.g. can create All in one chart.

Finally, you can print it on a printer or, even better, to have it printed for you: a poster printed on one piece of (professional) paper, say, 392 x 107 cm

[linda and charll29433117]

I am working on a 6 generation fan chart. I have found a really easy way to get started! Use the polar grid tool. Put in the number of concentric rings (for each generation) and the number of radial dividers for the number of ancestors. there are many charts online that will tell you how many ancestors you have for each generation, i.e. 5 generations you have 32 ancestors.Click create compound path. Then select all,  Use outline instead of divide, give stroke then ungroup, then click segments and delete the sections you don't need! I went further to duplicate the rings, and make individual paths for each of the name that followed the curve.

Use outline instead of divide, give stroke then ungroup, then click segments and delete