If you have been using Family Tree Maker for some time, you already have a well-built tree. Names, relationships, dates, and maybe even notes and photos, all sitting in place.
At that stage, the question is not really about adding more data. It shifts toward how that information can be presented in a way that actually makes sense to someone else reading it.
And that’s where Family Book Creator becomes useful.
It organizes the data you already have into a readable format. It’s important to note here that instead of navigating person by person, you get a structured document that connects individuals, families, and events together.
This guide walks you through how to set it up and use it properly, especially if you are working with the latest FTM 2024 25.0.2 Update For Windows and Mac.
What Does Family Book Creator Do?
Family Book Creator works as a plugin inside Family Tree Maker. It reads your tree file and builds a book from it.
The Output Includes:
- Individual profiles
- Family relationships
- Events such as birth, marriage, and death
- Include notes in your tree if they exist
- Media, depending on your settings
There is no data correction happening in the background. If something is incomplete in your tree, it will appear that way in the book as well.
The completeness of your data is therefore crucial to the quality of the output.
System Setup and Requirements
The setup is critical because it affects how smoothly everything runs, particularly in terms of system performance and user experience during the FTM 2024 download and update process.
FTM 2024 Download and Update
If you have not already installed the latest version, you first have to complete the FTM 2024 download and install it carefully.
After installation, make sure you are running the FTM 2024 25.0.2 Update For Windows and Mac.
This update focuses more on stability than new features. Syncing is more reliable, reports behave more consistently, and everyday actions feel smoother. This is highly important when you are generating larger outputs like a full family book.
If something doesn’t behave as expected later, the sync is usually the first thing to check.
Family Book Creator 2024 Free Upgrade
Upgrade eligibility depends on when the earlier version was purchased. This topic is one area where confusion is quite common.
Windows Users
If you purchased Family Book Creator on or after January 1, 2024, you are eligible for a Family Book Creator 2024 free upgrade.
The upgrade process is quite easy. You have to first download the Family Book Creator 2024 version and install it on the same system and it will detect your earlier license automatically.
There is usually no need to enter anything again.
Mac Users
The release process for Mac users has been handled a little differently.
Family Book Creator 2024 was initially released for Windows, with the macOS version following later. It is now available for both Windows and Mac systems.
Earlier Purchases
If your license is from 2023 or before, you will need to purchase an upgrade.
Discounted upgrade options may be available depending on your region.
This procedure follows the official policy outlined in the Family Book Creator FAQ.
Installing Family Book Creator
Installation is done within Family Tree Maker.
Steps:
- Open the application.
- Go to Tools.
- Select Plugins.
- Click “Install Plugin.”
- Choose the plugin file.
- Confirm.
Once installed, it will appear in your plugin list. If it does not show up immediately, restarting the application usually resolves it.
Running the Plugin
After installation, open your tree.
Steps:
- Go to Tools → Plugins.
- Select Family Book Creator.
- Click “Run.”
Depending on the size of your tree, it may take a few seconds to load.
Creating Your Family Book Step-by-Step
The process itself is not complicated, but the choices you make here affect the final output.
Step 1: Select the Starting Person
You will need to choose a root individual. This person becomes the center of the book. All relationships are organized around them. Most users select themselves, a parent or a key ancestor.
Changing this selection will change the structure of the entire book.
For this you need to open Family Tree Maker and select the starting individual as the current individual. Then open the Family Book Creator plugin from Tools Menu.
Specify which individuals should be included in the book. It can be done on the “Individuals to Include” tab.
- Select “Ancestor of” if you want to create a book about ancestors of the starting individual you selected.
- Select “Descendants of” if the book is about their descendants.
Step 2: Define the Number of Generations
This parameter determines how much of your tree is included.
A smaller number gives you a more focused document. A larger number creates a more detailed but also larger file.
If you are generating a book for the first time, it is better to start with fewer generations and expand later.
Step 3: Choose What to Include
You can control the level of detail by selecting the following:
- Events
- Notes
- Media
- Extended relationships
It is common to include everything initially, but that often results in a massive document. A more balanced approach usually works better.
Step 4: Generate the Book
Once everything is set, you need to start the generation process and then wait for it to complete. When it is done, save the output.
Processing time depends on the size of your tree and how much content is included.
What Does the Output Include?
The generated book follows a consistent structure.
It Contains:
- Title page
- Table of contents
- Individual and family sections
- Supporting charts
- Index of names
The overall quality depends on how complete and consistent your data is.
Common Issues That May Arise
A few issues tend to come up regularly.
Plugin Not Working Properly
This problem is often related to updates. Please ensure you are using the FTM 2024 25.0.2.
Missing Information
The plugin does not generate new data. Entries that are missing in your tree will also be absent in the book.
Slow Performance
Large trees and heavy media usage increase processing time.
How Family Tree Makers Support Can Help
If you have unresolved issues after updates, contact Family Tree Maker’s support.
They provide:
- Phone and chat support
- Assistance with installation and updates
- Troubleshooting help
In some cases, remote assistance is also available. A specialist will establish a connection and gain remote access to your computer upon your approval and help solve the issue.
Final Thoughts
Family Book Creator works best when your underlying data is already in excellent shape.
When using an updated version of Family Tree Maker, especially after installing the FTM 2024 25.0.2 Update For Windows and Mac, the process is easy and stable.
It may take a couple of attempts to get the structure exactly the way you want, but once you understand how the settings affect the output, such as adjusting layout options and selecting the right templates, it becomes much easier.
Best Practices:
- Use clean data, as it leads to better output.
- Smaller test runs help avoid large corrections later.
- Consistent naming improves readability.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Family Book Creator?
Answer:
Family Book Creator is an official plugin for FTM. It uses existing data present in the tree to generate a structured family history book. It is a hard copy of your family tree.
2. How does the Family Book Creator 2024 free upgrade work?
Answer:
Any user who bought Family Tree Maker on or after January 1, 2024 is eligible for the Family Book Creator 2024 free upgrade.
3. Where can I get help if something doesn’t work?
Answer:
You can contact Family Tree Makers support for installation, update, or compatibility issues.
4. Why is my book taking longer to generate?
Answer:
The main reason is that large trees and media-heavy content increase processing time.
Disclaimer
Please note that Family Tree Maker 2024 is available for use only on Windows and macOS systems.
FTM 2024 and Family Book Creator are incompatible with Linux-based operating systems. Users planning to install or upgrade should ensure their device meets the supported system requirements.