Organizational Chart Templates - SmartSketch - Help

SmartSketch Help

Language
English
Product
SmartSketch
Search by Category
Help
SmartSketch Version
7.1(2011R1)

You use these templates to produce organizational charts.

  • Imperial Template—This template has imperial units in decimal inches, ANSI sheet sizes, ANSI dimensioning, and Arial text.

  • Metric Template—This template has metric units in millimeters, ISO sheet sizes, ISO dimensioning, and Arial text.

Org Chart symbols are available in the Symbol Explorer for these templates. The Schematic toolbar containing tools to create organizational charts appears on the left of the drawing window.

Automated Organizational Chart Creation

  1. Load the add-in.

    • On the Main toolbar, click Add-Ins on the Tools menu and check the box for Org Chart Wizard.

  2. On the Main toolbar, click Org Chart Wizard on the Tools menu and follow the instructions to continue.

    • This wizard creates an organizational chart with or without personnel data. The completion of the wizard results in a new sheet added to the open file containing your chart. You can edit the resulting symbols and connectors interactively as if the chart had been drawn manually.

Organizational Chart Workflow

You can create organizational charts with Maintain Relationships set on or off.

  1. Set up the sheet.

    • Select an appropriate sheet size and scale that allow enough paper space to draw. The default scale is 1:1.

  2. Prepare to draw.

    • Set the drawing aids to your preferences using SmartSketch Settings, Grid Display, and Grid Snap. For more grid options, click the View tab after you click Options on the Tools menu to set the grid style to either dynamic or static, and set the static grid to the preferred grid spacing.

      • These settings provide visual feedback to you to improve the workflow while you draw. To create clean diagrams, use Grid Snap with a static grid displayed.

      • Placing symbols and connectors on a static grid produces high quality results.

      • You can set grid display and snap by right clicking.

Simple Workflow Diagram

  1. Drag symbols from the Symbol Explorer.

  2. Use Connector to connect symbols.

  3. Double-click each symbol to add text.

Optimal Workflow Diagram

  1. Place Org Chart symbols by dragging them from the Symbol Explorer.

    • While dragging a symbol for placement, use the left/right arrow keys on the keyboard to rotate the symbol dynamically before placement. Use the up/down arrow keys to select different drag points on the symbol before placement.

    • If you press Alt during symbol placement, the alignment indicators are temporarily disabled, allowing symbol placement with grid snap or visual alignment.

    • These symbols automatically expand to the size of the text. You can also size them by using the yellow handles.

    • You can use two methods to place multiple copies of the same symbol.

      • Holding down the right mouse button, drag the symbol into the template. When you release the right mouse button to place the symbol, you are prompted with two options. Click Stamp Here, and use the left mouse button to place multiple copies of the symbol.

      • Press Ctrl as you drag in a symbol with the left mouse button. Place the first instance of the symbol while holding down Ctrl. Once you have placed the first symbol, you can release Ctrl and use the left mouse button to place multiple copies of the symbol.

  2. Connect the symbols by using Connector.

    • When you draw a connector that is not straight, you should set Clearance: to the minimum distance from the symbol where the first turn in the connector appears.

    • When you draw a connector to a symbol, approach the symbol from the direction you want the connector placed. As the pointer intent zone nears the symbol, suggested targets for the connector appear.

    • The connector end point can be located on a target or any other symbol geometry. If you press the Alt key while drawing a connector, the diagonal mode is temporarily invoked and the alignment indicators are temporarily disabled, allowing the connector to be drawn with or without grid snap.

  3. Double-click symbols to place text in the center of the symbol.

    • The active text settings in the file are used. To highlight existing text for editing properties, pause the pointer over text until the PickQuick indicator appears.

    • Then click and select the numbered box that represents the text. Right-click the highlighted text to edit properties.

    • Note that text is entered in paper units regardless of the sheet scale.

  4. Finish the organizational chart.

    • Use color to modify the symbols and use connectors to enhance the drawing.

    • The following symbol sets aid in drawing organizational charts.

Content

Description

[Product Folder]\Symbols\Diagramming\Org Charts

Organizational Chart symbols. You can double-click these symbols to place text. These symbols also have special behaviors for enhanced placement and modification.

See Also

Organizational Chart Wizard
Drawing Basic Elements
Drawing Connectors
Create a Template