Documentation

Learn how to use Genogram Builder effectively

Getting Started

Welcome to Genogram Builder! This documentation will help you get started creating professional family genograms.

System Requirements

  • Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
  • 2 GHz processor or faster
  • Minimum 4 GB RAM
  • 100 MB free disk space

Installation

  1. Download the installer from the download page
  2. Run the installer file (GenogramBuilder-Setup.exe)
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions
  4. Launch Genogram Builder from your desktop or start menu

Note: When first launching the application, you may need to give permission for the program to run.

Interface Overview

Genogram Builder Interface

Main Components

  • Toolbox: Contains tools for creating and editing genogram elements
  • Canvas: The main working area where your genogram is displayed
  • Properties Panel: Allows you to edit properties of selected elements
  • Toolbar: Provides quick access to common functions

Tool Modes

  • Add Mode: Add new family members to the genogram
  • Connect Mode: Create relationships between family members
  • Move Mode: Reposition family members or pan the canvas
  • Remove Mode: Delete family members or relationships
  • Relationship Mode: Define emotional relationships between family members

Language Settings

Genogram Builder supports both English and Portuguese. You can switch languages using the Language menu in the application.

Creating Family Members

Adding a New Person

  1. Select the Add Mode from the toolbox
  2. Choose Male or Female from the Type dropdown
  3. Click on the canvas where you want to place the person

Tip: You can pre-fill name, age, and other details before adding a person, or edit these properties later by double-clicking on the person.

Person Properties

  • Name: The person's name
  • Age: The person's age (optional)
  • Type: Male (square) or Female (circle)
  • Deceased: Mark if the person is deceased (adds an X through the shape)
  • Color: Customize the color of the person's symbol
  • Notes: Additional information (displays as tooltip on hover)
Person Types in Genogram Builder

Male (left) and Female (right) symbols with regular and deceased variants

Creating Relationships

Creating Couple Relationships

  1. Select Connect Mode from the toolbox
  2. Choose Couple from the relationship type dropdown
  3. Click on the first person in the couple
  4. Click on the second person to complete the connection

Creating Parent-Child Relationships

  1. Select Connect Mode from the toolbox
  2. Choose Parent-Child from the relationship type dropdown
  3. Click on the parent
  4. Click on the child to complete the connection

Note: When a couple is connected and you create a parent-child relationship from one member, the system automatically recognizes both as parents.

Creating Emotional Relationships

  1. Select Relationship Mode from the toolbox
  2. Choose the relationship type from the dropdown (normal, distant, conflicted, etc.)
  3. Click on the first person
  4. Click on the second person to create the emotional relationship line
Relationship Types in Genogram Builder

Different types of relationship lines in Genogram Builder

Editing Properties

Editing a Person

There are two ways to edit a person's properties:

  1. Double-click on the person to open the edit dialog
  2. Right-click on the person and select "Edit" from the context menu

Edit Dialog Features

  • Personal Data Tab: Edit name, age, type, deceased status, color, and notes
  • Connections Tab: View and remove relationships with other family members
  • Labels Tab: Configure which information is displayed and where

Configuring Labels

You can customize how information appears on the genogram:

  • Enable/disable labels for each person
  • Choose what information to display (name, age, notes)
  • Position labels around the person (top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right)

Tip: For complex genograms, consider disabling some labels to reduce visual clutter, leaving only essential information visible.

Saving & Exporting

Saving Your Work

To save your genogram:

  1. Go to File > Save in the menu bar
  2. Choose a location and filename for your genogram file
  3. Click Save

Genogram Builder saves files with a .genogram extension.

Opening Saved Genograms

To open a previously saved genogram:

  1. Go to File > Open in the menu bar
  2. Navigate to your saved .genogram file
  3. Click Open

Exporting as Image

To export your genogram as an image:

  1. Go to File > Export in the menu bar
  2. Choose PNG or JPG format
  3. Select a location and filename
  4. Click Export

Note: Exported images can be included in reports, presentations, or clinical documentation.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Application Won't Start

If the application fails to launch:

  • Verify that your system meets the minimum requirements
  • Try running the application as Administrator
  • Check if any antivirus software is blocking the application

Connection Lines Not Appearing Correctly

If relationship lines are missing or appearing incorrectly:

  • Ensure you have completed both steps of the connection process
  • Try repositioning the people to ensure they're not too close together
  • Delete the connection and recreate it

Interface Language Problems

If the interface language isn't changing correctly:

  • Restart the application after changing the language
  • Verify that no files are missing from the installation

Getting Help

If you encounter issues not covered in this documentation:

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