* Connecting lines in Outline Reports in RTF v PDF

[jimlad68]

Conversion is often a problem, even with the "standard" RTF which I still use as the best safe portable format, but I have moved to docx for everyday use as the zipped nature of it is so so much smaller.

It's a pity the connecting lines shown in the PDF file of the Outline report to not carry over to the RTF file, PDF does have its advantages.

[tatewise]

I suspect the lines in RTF are a bit 'tricky' to produce.

I like the more compact nature of DOCX for local use, but for portability I much prefer PDF because you cannot expect that the recipient can open RTF files, whereas PDF is usually OK on any PC, MAC, tablet, etc.

[tatewise]

RTF is character based, but for FH to use line drawing characters for connectors would be difficult and need a whole new set of tab stops to align them. Also if users altered fonts and other layout options, that is likely to disrupt the line drawing characters, especially since not all fonts support them.

Alternatively, FH could use AutoShape lines as illustrated below.

OutlineConnectorsTimes10.png (17.48 KiB) Viewed 4450 times

However, if the user alters fonts it disrupts the AutoShape placement:

OutlineConnectorsSegoe11.png (20.91 KiB) Viewed 4450 times

Furthermore, MS Word AutoShape lines are inconsistent with other word-processors such as OpenOffice.

[jimlad68]

Interesting stuff Mike, AutoShape is not something I am familiar with, but looks promising if Calico thought it worthwhile. I accept the current limitations of FH, my reason for export to RTF files is the possibility of subsequent editing that cannot be done/ produced by FH. I have tried a few PDF > DOC/DOCX/RTF converters, but all leave out the connecting lines like FH does.

However, the free LibreOffice Draw (not Writer) will let you OPEN AND EDIT a PDF file, (it used to use an extension, but I now think it is integrated), not as well as a DOC/DOCX/RTF type document, but you can do things like Global change and text edit and most drawing functions, I don't think Draw lets you record macros.

I am not a big user of LibreOffice, but as it is free (I use the version via http://portableapps.com/ so it does not clog up my C:\ drive), it is often handy to have around.

It always surprises me that most genealogy programs do not pay more attention to Outline charts as I think they are the most efficient use of paper for a "compact" tree by far. In terms of FH it is essentially a diagram without side shoots (although spouses etc can be included), yet a FH diagram offers far far more choice in its compilation, even TMG (V7) Outline only offers 4 Tags, B,M,D+burial.

[Jane]

Jim if you really want to push the bounds you could simply write a plugin to write directly to Word or any other OLE compliant program the information in the exact format you want. Another useful option you could explore is the "blank chart" option in FH diagrams. You can build completely custom diagrams using the Text box settings, check out the ones in the Downloads section.

[jimlad68]

Thanks for those suggestions Jane. I don't think I am up to the report plugin you suggest, but will add it to my list!

I have not seen another program with such an easy to use and flexible content selection and real time update as FH Diagrams, nothing comes near it, but I can't see how the diagram structure could be made as space efficient as an Outline report

It is a pity that data selection process of Diagrams does not extend to reports (e.g. Outline and Individual), but with sentence/Template work the narrative reports can be very flexible. Unless there is some way of manually adjusting the *.fhr files in C:\ProgramData\Calico Pie\Family Historian\Reports\Custom\.

With the data that we have available these days, it is increasingly difficult to print, and then to update and reprint, and for me the Website production or GenViewer type option makes far more sense, but some people still want/need paper type reports, and to be fair it is nice to be able to sit back in a chair with auntie and peruse some physical documents. That said I will probably go back to my tried and tested Left>Right Trees/Diagrams to show basic structure together with more detailed Descendant Narrative reports. And I must admit that while an Outline Report is very efficient with paper and easy to print and OK for research, a Diagram/Tree is much easier to follow.