Charting Companion on Mac – Family Tree Maker Support Center

When you start creating a Family Tree, a crucial step to take is setting up the root person, providing a name, saving the project, adding relatives, standardizing places, and more can guarantee authenticity, but not workflow automation or one-click efficiency. 

Here comes the charting companion in Family Tree Maker that boosts the presentation and ease of a tree through faster data organization, better visual effects, timelines, conflict resolution, and more. 

As a user, you need a thorough understanding of this add-on plugin for Family Tree Maker, one of Progeny’s smartest initiatives. It helps users make the tree more eye-catching and keeps viewers engaged longer. To know how useful it is for you, keep reading further.

Quick Overview And Features of Charting Companion

Charting Companion is an add-on plugin or software specializing in genealogy publishing, including a Family Tree Maker, that lets users easily create advanced charts, books, and DNA analysis reports not found in standard software. 

If you plan to use it, you can buy a license directly from Family Tree Maker Support or Progeny Genealogy. If you are not planning to, you can also try a free trial by using a 15-day evaluation copy available for Windows and Mac.

Charting Companion Key Features 

Charting Companion offers several features that let users access visual layouts and DNA analysis tools, adding depth to the Family Tree.

• Availability Of Various Charts

It offers special layouts that users can not get in standard software, including exclusive Descendant Fan charts, Trellis charts, Dandelion charts, and more.

• DNA Integration Tools

Provides a DNA matrix with the help of which  users can create a visual effect of their genetic relationship, a DNA stimulator to organize the unknown matches or adoptees within the tree, and DNA matches to group contacts by the end of the family branch.

• X Chromosome Mapping

An advanced feature that sounds interesting is visual tracking of X chromosome inheritance paths across the ancestor, fan, and hourglass charts, letting users perform specific matching.

• High-Level Structural Control

Quite useful due to its customizable traits with over 16 million colors, gradients, fonts, and custom borders, which support surpassing standard genealogy program defaults.

• Flexible Printing Options

You can optimize chart size to save on printing costs; it supports left-to-right descendant layouts that use space effectively, and it keeps tiles in high-quality PDFs, images, or other formats.

• Shares Compatibility On A Vast Level

It is compatible with popular platforms such as RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, and Ancestral Quest.

What Are The Benefits Of A Charting Companion?

There are several benefits that make it worth spending time trying this plug-in. Go through some of them mentioned below: 

• High Fidelity Genetic Assimilation 

The presence of a DNA matrix, which lets you view test results, a DNA simulator to organize unknown relatives or adoptees within your tree, and X-chromosome mapping.

• Vast Software Compatibility

It can easily read and integrate files from major genealogy programs, including Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic, standard GEDCOM files, and Legacy Family Tree.

• Availability Of Various Charts

It generates specialized layouts usually missing in standard databases, such as Dandelion charts, Descendant fan charts, Trellis charts, and Hourglass views.

• Advanced Personalization Parameters

There are a number of color choices, custom borders, background images, and adjustable page sizes for home tiling or professional plotters.

• Professional Publishing Outlets

This is quite useful in providing comprehensive ancestor and descendant books, family group sheets, and export formats including PDF or STL files for 3D printing.

Type Of Charts And Reports Available To Use 

The software provides a variety of charts and reports to make the Family Tree engaging and interesting. All are mentioned below:

• Ancestor chart and Ancestor book
• Descendant chart, Outline Descendant, and Descendant book
• Hourglass chart
• Fan chart and Descendant chart
• Pedigree chart
• Bow Tie chart
• Dandelion chart
• Trellis chart
• DNA matrix, DNA simulation, and DNA matches tool

How To Install Charting Companion?

For a proper installation, follow the right steps. Here are some of them mentioned below:

• Shut Down The Family Tree Maker

Keep in mind that FTM or other  genealogy programs must be completely closed before you run the installer.

• Download The Software

To get the appropriate installer version or purchase link for the system, contact Progeny Genealogy.

• Register Your Product

First, enter the name and registration key, which will be provided to you via the purchase confirmation email.

• Launch From FTM

Open Family Tree Maker, head towards the tools-plugins-export-charting companion, and then start using it.

What Are The System Requirements Of Windows And Mac?

Here are some of the basic and ideal system requirements to run Charting Companion on both types of systems mentioned below:

Conclusion!

Using a charting companion to elevate your Family Tree performance is one of the finest steps you can take. It will not only take it to the next level but also present it better. If you are new to it and excited to give it a try, check everything, including the benefits, offerings, system requirements, and many more. For better insight, use this guide to learn everything related to it in a precise way.