--- title: "Creating Families" slug: "creating-families" description: "Learn various methods to create families, including manual entry, text file import, QR codes, and facial recognition for efficient family management." updated: 2025-08-06T15:09:07Z published: 2025-08-06T15:09:07Z canonical: "help.timestone.com.au/creating-families" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.timestone.com.au/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Creating Families Several methods exist for creating families. These Include: - Manually, In Details Mode - By importing a text file - Automatically, when importing family images with QR codes - Automatically with Face Detection and Recognition - When identifying orders from the Timestone Internet Ordering System (IOS) ## Creating Families in Details Mode Families can be created directly in Details mode in various ways. Keyboard ShortcutDrag SubjectsThe New Family icon Using the menu item or keyboard shortcut Simply select **Edit> New family** from the menu or use the **Control-G k**eyboard shortcut. A new family will be created named “New Family“. Change the name as desired. This method has the advantage that subjects are associated (copied) to the new family in the same step. 1. Select the subjects from the main window of **Details Mode** 2. Drag the Subject to the blue Families header in the Folders/ Families list in the left window pane 3. A new family will be created and named according to the last name field of the subjects Similar to the previous method, but without the need to drag the selected subjects. 1. Select subjects from the main window of **Details Mode** 2. **Control-click** the blue **New Family** icon on the toolbar 3. A new family will be created and named according to the last name field of the subjects ## Creating Families by Importing a Text File Families can be created when importing a text file - optionally adding subjects to the family in the process. This is achieved by mapping a **Family** field in the text import setup window. The Text FileImporting the Text FileThe result Consider the following simple text file. It contains three families - Renshaw and two different Smith families. Note the **Family** field. This contains the name of the family to be created. | Lastname | Firstname | ID | Folder | Family | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Smith | Emily | 165241 | 8A | Smith(E+L) | | Smith | Louie | 452874 | 8A | Smith(E+L) | | Renshaw | Tony | 658971 | 12C | Renshaw | | Renshaw | Ian | 745982 | 7A | Renshaw | | Holmes | John | 124785 | 8C | | | Smith | Janice | 127459 | 9C | Smith(J+M) | | Smith | Meredith | 854366 | 7C | Smith(J+M) | The text file is imported via **File>Import text file**. The text file in the previous example would be mapped as below. ![Mapping the Families column when importing a text file](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/createfamilies1c.png) Figure 2: Mapping the text file import. The result of importing the text file is shown below. Note the two different Smith families and that the subjects have been associated to the family. ![Families created after importing a text file](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/createfamilies2a.png) Figure 3: Families created after importing the text file ## Creating Families when Importing Family Images with QR Codes Using QR codes, images may be imported and automatically matched to a family. If the family does not yet exist, it will be created. ****Further Reading: QR Codes for Family Images**** In a similar way to matching images to subjects, QR codes can also be used to match images to families. A full discussion on using QR codes with families is available here: [QR codes for Family Images](/v1/docs/qr-codes-for-family-images) ## Creating Families Using Facial Recognition Using Face Detection and Recognition, subjects and images can be matched to a family. Face Detection and Recognition can be used with families to perform two tasks. - Where a family already exists, Face Recognition can associate (copy) the subjects into the family - Where the family does not yet exist, Face Recognition can be used to create the family, match the image to it, and associate the subjects ****Further Reading: Using Facial Recognition for Families**** A very powerful use of Face Detection and Recognition is to create families automatically based on the subjects (faces) in the family image. A full discussion, including a movie tutorial, is available here: [Using Facial Recognition with Families](/v1/docs/using-face-recognition-with-families) ## Creating Families through Identify Order Entities With Identify Ordering in the Timestone Internet Ordering System (IOS), it is possible for a customer to order for a family that may not yet exist in the job. When the order is identified in Orders Mode, families can be automatically created and named according to the data entered online by the customer. #### To automatically create families with Identity Ordering: 1. In the **Identify order entities** module of **Orders Mode**, select the **Families only** filter 2. Select the family or families to be created 3. Click the **Create** button at the lower right ![List of identified and unidentified entities in a data management interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/families4.png) Figure 4: Create Families through Identify Order Entries. Families will be created and named as per the data entered by the parent. Note it is not possible to add subjects to the families automatically through identify ordering. ![List of family folders with names and keys in NeoPack software interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/families5.png) Figure 5: Families created through Identity order entities. ## Family Sets Although seldom used, families may be arranged in Family Sets. A 'default' set, simply called Families, is always present. Other sets can be added and named by the user as needed. The default family set has the following important property: > [!WARNING] > CAUTION > > Families within the default family set must contain unique subjects. It is not possible for a subject to belong to more than one family within the default family set. The above restriction does not apply to any user defined family sets. It is therefore recommended (although not compulsory) that the default family set be reserved for siblings, since siblings by definition belong to a single family. Additional family sets can be used for other miscellaneous groups, such as teams where a subject can belong to multiple teams within a single family set. To create additional family sets: 1. From the menu, select **Edit>New family set** 2. Name the family set as desired ![A software interface displaying family and team data in a structured format.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/families6.png) Figure 6: Family sets each with a collection of families --- ### FAQ #### What methods can be used to create families? Several methods exist for creating families, including manually in Details Mode, by importing a text file, automatically with QR codes, using face detection and recognition, and through the Timestone Internet Ordering System. #### How can I create a family in Details Mode? You can create a family in Details Mode by selecting subjects and using the menu item Edit > New family or the Control-G keyboard shortcut. #### Can families be created by importing a text file? Yes, families can be created by importing a text file, where you can map a Family field in the import setup. #### Is it possible to create families using QR codes? Yes, images can be imported and automatically matched to a family using QR codes, creating the family if it does not already exist. #### Can families be created online? With Identify Ordering, customers can be prompted to enter family information. This is then used to create families once the orders are downloaded. The process of locating faces within images. A 'profile' of the face is created and saved with the image record in the database. This is then used to perform various tasks using Face Recognition. ## Related - [Using Face Recognition with Families](/using-face-recognition-with-families.md) - [QR Codes for Family Images](/qr-codes-for-family-images.md)