Bend or reshape a relationship line
Curve a relationship line into an arc, draw it as a step or bend it freely, so that it passes clear of names, symbols and other lines.
The editor routes each relationship line automatically. The line is drawn straight where the way is clear, and it steps around any symbol, or any year written above a symbol, that lies in its path. A shape chosen in the toolbar replaces this automatic route until Back to automatic is clicked.
Procedure
- 1
Click the relationship line to show its toolbar.
- 2
Click one of the shape buttons at the left of the toolbar, which are Straight, Arc, Step and Free.
- 3
Unless you chose Free, drag the round handle on the line to set how far the line bows. Dragging the handle across the line moves the bow to the other side.
- 4
If an arc or a step bows to the wrong side, click Bow to the other side in the toolbar.
- 5
If you chose Free, drag a hollow dot on the line to add a bend. Each bend is then marked by a filled dot, which can be dragged to move it.
- 6
If the editor should route the line again, click Back to automatic.
Double-click a relationship line to switch it between straight and arc.
The four shapes
| Shape | Description |
|---|---|
| Straight | The line runs directly from one person to the other. |
| Arc | The line curves above or below the direct path, and the round handle sets the height of the curve. |
| Step | The line leaves the direct path, runs parallel to it and returns, in three straight segments. |
| Free | The line follows bends that you place yourself. Each bend can be moved, and pressing a bend twice removes it. |
Symmetric bends
A free line begins with Mirror the two halves switched on, so that each new bend is matched by a mirror image on the other half of the line. When a bend is dragged, its mirror image moves with it, and the two halves remain symmetrical. To place or move a single bend on its own, hold ⇧ while dragging, or click Mirror the two halves to switch the symmetry off.
Clearing names and symbols
When the handle is dragged close to the lowest height at which the line clears every other person, the line snaps to that height. If a line still passes through a person, the toolbar shows the warning “The line runs through a person.” In that case, raise the line with its handle or click Bow to the other side.
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