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[alwinroijen]

Question: How do I create a tree with diagonal branches?

Download project file: FAQ ID 1043

Download data-file: Tree lines data

Answer: Use data which can be divided into several levels. Then use the slice-and-dice division method and use a line overlay to create the tree view.

A. Set layout
- Goto Edit View (F9);
- Select the Hair-level, and select the ‘Layout’ tab;
- From the dropdown menu Division-method select Slice-and-Dice;
- Set the division-direction to vertical;
- Select the ‘Margin’ tab;
- Set the top margin to 75;
- Repeat the previous four steps for the rest of the levels (including the Tiles-level)
level)
The foundation for the tree view is build.

B. Set the size of the tiles
- Goto Edit View (F9);
- Select the Hair-level, and select the ‘Tiles’ tab;
- From the dropdown menu Size-Type select Sum of Children;
- Repeat the previous two steps for the rest of the levels (excluding the Tiles-level)

C. A line overlay needs to be created
- Goto Edit View;
- Select the Hair-level, and select the Overlay tab;
- Add a line overlay via ‘Add’;
- Choose ‘Straight Line’ from the dropdown menu Type – Line Type;
- Choose ‘Line to Parents’ from the dropdown menu Type – Connection Type;
- Under Start Position, choose Center for Position X and Top for Position Y;
- Choose the same settings for the End Position;
- Set ‘Show overlay on’ on Always.
A tree with diagonal branches is created

Note that the style (color / thickness) of the line can be adjusted under Style.

In order to create a view without color, all background colors need to be set white. It is also possible to use different colors for each value of a level. This is described in step D.

D. Use variable background
- Goto Edit View (F9);
- Select the Hair-level, and select the Margins tab;
- Check the box of ‘Use variable background’;
- From the dropdown menu ‘Color using:’ select a map created for this level, in this case ‘Hair (map)’;
- Repeat the previous step for the rest of the levels.
The background color of the levels is set to variable
Note that the values of each level have a different color. At the bottom of the screen one can see which value is found for each element.