* Custom diagram - Gap between generations

[dewilkinson]

I have been experimenting with the various options to create compact tree diagrams for my family books, i.e. get a large tree on an A4 page maintaining legibility. I have achieved this as per the attached image but one thing I cannot seem to change is the gap between the columns of generations, if this could be reduced a bit it would then be just about perfect. In addition I cannot seem to change the font size inside the text boxes.

I have search the help and this forum and haven't located much on this. Is it possible to do these things? or are they new wishes?

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[Jane]

To change the Font go to Diagram>options and the Text tab then edit your selected text scheme. The first line is controlled by the font selected at the top of the scheme, by the look of it you have a font change line in the scheme so you will need to change that to, you could also consider splitting the name over two lines.

Spacing is controlled on the Dimensions tab, and the ones you are looking for are under the More Dimensions buttons.

Another option is to draw your own custom template, there are some examples in fhugdownloads:diagramtypes|Custom Diagram Types

The compact Ancestor tree might make a good base.

[tatewise]

Use Diagram > Options > Dimensions > More Dimensions and set all the Vertical Dimensions to 0 so all the lines between boxes can be as short as you like, by using the Movement Control Box in Box & Bar mode.
(Check note in box at top. Diagram has been rotated from top-down to left-right so verticals now refer to horizontals.)

Use Diagram > Options > Text > Edit and in Initial Font at the top use <<Select, then in Items Used in this Text Scheme below, select <font = ...> and Edit to <<Select the font.

BTW: Please do not post in New Wish List Requests Forum until all the options have been explored.

[dewilkinson]

Jane and Mike,

Many thanks for responses, 'tis amazing how much is 'hidden away'. I managed to achieve what I wanted (attached image) but I would never have guessed that Button diameter was the key to changing generation column spacing.

Apologies for posting in the wrong forum.

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[tatewise]

Agreed, Button diameter is an odd one, but the little image on the right shows the impact of each setting.
You just have to rotate them 90 degrees to match your left-right format as the note at top explains.
In fact leaving that at 0.1" still gives a lot of extra control over the spacing with the others at 0".