* What are good FH7 and iOS app combinations?

[bluefin21]

I've decided to make an effort to migrate from Legacy to FH7, but one question is what to use to view my tree when out and about (and I think it *is* just 'viewing' - I don't recall wanting to be able to make changes on the go, although it's possible that could be something in the future). I've been using the "Families" app on my iPhone so far, but Families is (I think) fairly tightly coupled to Legacy. What apps have people found make a good partner for FH7 on iOS devices? I've looked at the web page about other platforms (https://fhug.org.uk/kb/kb-article/famil ... -or-linux/) and I've started experimenting with the Export Gedcom plugin and the Heredis app. But if anyone has any particular pointers, recommendations, tips (linking media to cloud storage services like OneDrive maybe, so the same links work both on the PC and in the app??? [literally just occurred to me as a possibility!]), gotchas, etc. please share

Many thanks.

[johnmorrisoniom]

I have been using the heredis app (Initially with the free version of Heredis, but they had an offer on which gave me Heredis 2017 for £10) for a while now.
I use the export Gedcom plugin, no media and no sources and my data gets across well enough for review and research purposes.

[tatewise]

Just to avoid any misunderstanding, the Export Gedcom File plugin does cater for Media and Sources to be exported to Heredis but John has chosen to exclude them. See Export Gedcom File (HER) Heredis by BSD Concept for details.

[sgauntlett]

Has anyone got Heredis to work with media file (photos)? I've tried importing the GEDCOM into the app and going via the Trial Windows version and then across to the iPad but although the information is there, all the photos are blank and "missing".

[tatewise]

I've moved this thread to the Importing and Exporting Forum that I think is more appropriate.

Have you used the Export Gedcom File plugin in GEDCOM Export Mode: (HER) Heredis by BSD Concept?
What Multimedia Conversion option did you choose?
Do not use the FH v7 standard GEDCOM as it has many custom features that other products do not understand.

See its Help & Advice page Export Gedcom File (HER) Heredis by BSD Concept.

Does the Media appear in the Heredis for Windows application or is it only on Heredis for iOS they are missing?

Which of the methods in the Help & Advice page have you tried?

[sgauntlett]

Hi Mike,
Yes, I followed the Export Gedcom File plugin help. The media does appear in the Heredis for Windows application. However, I'm struggling to get it across to the iOS app.

Using Heredis for Windows 2022 and the equivalent 22 app, I tried the "Share on Local Network" but couldn't get it to see the iPad (tried removing all firewalls and a different wifi router but still couldn't see it). I then transferred via iTunes but the .hmwit file isn't big enough to have included all the media so not really surprised that when opened in the app, the media isn't there.

I thought the best option would be to have the entire Export folder (with media and gedcom file in the same directory) and then use a USB-C stick to connect to the iPad and open in the original Heredis app. Sadly, again, the links to the media are there but it can't seem to find them.

[Mark1834]

Another option for an intermediate “helper” app might be RootsMagic. Getting a copy of your tree into RM (which has a free “Essentials” version that will be perfectly adequate) is quick and easy and they have a dedicated iOS app that reads the file directly.

You have to link via either Dropbox or iTunes, but it looks straight-forward to use.

[tatewise]

Sorry, I don't use an iPad, so cannot offer any practical advice.
The data correctly exports to Heredis for Windows, so the subsequent steps are exclusively a Heredis problem.

Check the https://help.heredis.com/en/importing-e ... redis-ios/ help page under If you have a Windows computer.

Does that process succeed for the Heredis Sample Family with its Media images?

If so then it should work for your Project.

[Mal]

Based on personal usage:
1. As mentioned above, for a freebie, Roots Magic's iOS App is good and worth a try to see if it does everything you need.

2. At less than a fiver, in my opinion GedView is a really great option. It's mature and regularly updated. No trial version. Follow the link from the iOS App Store to the developer's web site where you will find a comprehensive User Guide and Screenshots of every feature. The beauty of this app is it's simplicity. An easy export from Family Historian, with accompanying Media, puts all of your data on the iPad. If you just want easy access to all your GEDCOM data on the go and don't need to view snazzy reports, charts etc this would be my recommendation.

3. For the ultimate powerhouse, MobileFamilyTree is difficult to beat. I use V7 and have yet to find it wanting. It has almost identical functionality, to MacFamilyTree produced by the same company. The extensive range of reports and charts look good and are user-adjustable. No trial version. Easy to get your head around. Mature software, 2-year life cycle, updated periodically. The Synium web site has the downloadable User Guide. They do lots of promos each year (next up Black Friday & Christmas) and the 50% discount makes the iOS app appealing at £12.99.

[BillH]

I use GEDexplorer on Android and it works well for me and is also under 5 USD. There is also an IOS version, but I don't have any IOS devices so have never used it.

Bill

[davepacey]

Hi Mike,
Yes, I followed the Export Gedcom File plugin help. The media does appear in the Heredis for Windows application. However, I'm struggling to get it across to the iOS app.

Using Heredis for Windows 2022 and the equivalent 22 app, I tried the "Share on Local Network" but couldn't get it to see the iPad (tried removing all firewalls and a different wifi router but still couldn't see it). I then transferred via iTunes but the .hmwit file isn't big enough to have included all the media so not really surprised that when opened in the app, the media isn't there.

I thought the best option would be to have the entire Export folder (with media and gedcom file in the same directory) and then use a USB-C stick to connect to the iPad and open in the original Heredis app. Sadly, again, the links to the media are there but it can't seem to find them.

I cannot comment on IOS but I use Heredis 2022 along with the Android app and have no issues at all, I use Mikes excellent export Gedcom plugin using the Heredis options, once in Heredis I use the share on local network option to sync with my android phone.
With my tablet, occasionally due to lack of space on my android tablet, I have to use the create file for android option from within Heredis and then transfer using usb. I have no problems with images or sources either.


Regards,

Dave

[sgauntlett]

I tried GEDexplorer but I don't really like the interface. However, I think it explained to me why the media isn't working.

The image links include the root file structure (.temp/C:/familytree/...) and the images are on a USB drive (or iCloud storage, I tried both).

Would it be possible to export the GEDCOM without the file structure and just assume they are in the same folder as the gedcom file? I see there is a "Keep Media Folders" option in the plugin but I hadn't clicked that as I though that would keep the media in the folders they are, rather than copying them to the export folder??

Thanks for all the other comments - I will try GedView when I get a chance

[tatewise]

One of my regular rants is why don't users read the Help & Advice pages.

For the Export Gedcom File plugin its FAQ includes:
Why are all GEDCOM and Media files exported to the same folder?

The Basic Options tab says:
Tick Keep Media folders to mimic the Project Media folder structure within the Export Folder

So the default with Keep Media folders not ticked is for the Heredis GEDCOM and all Media to be side by side in the same Project ...\Public\Export\ folder.
Anyway, the Media correctly appear in Heredis for Windows so should transfer to the iPad.

[gsward]

Another option for an intermediate “helper” app might be RootsMagic. Getting a copy of your tree into RM (which has a free “Essentials” version that will be perfectly adequate) is quick and easy and they have a dedicated iOS app that reads the file directly.

I tried the Android version of RootsMagic but it seemed to have some flaws in the display and options being off the bottom of the screen. Despite several attempts to get a fix, it appears not to be actively supported.

Using Gedstar Pro now which is free and works like a dream. Files held on Dropbox.

[sgauntlett]

I did read the help and advice. I chose not to tick the folder structure option as I thought if the images were in the same export folder, it would be easier to port to another device. The problem seems to be that the Gedcom includes the root file structure for the export folder. If the folder moves (to the cloud or usb) the structure is different. I don’t know enough about the gedcom format but my question is whether it can include a relative link to media, so that it assumes the images are in the same folder as the ged file?
The fact that the Heredis on windows works is because it’s on the same machine so the C drive folder structure exists.

I don’t have an android device but I will continue to look at other apps.

Thanks

[tatewise]

Earlier I suggested you try to transfer the Heredis Sample Family with its Media images to iOS. Did that work?

IMO it is irrelevant where the media files are on the C: drive or how the GEDCOM refers to them.
Unlike FH, after import to Heredis, the GEDCOM plays no part, as Heredis has its own .hmw file database structure.

As clearly shown in the https://help.heredis.com/en/importing-e ... redis-ios/ advice, it is the Heredis database .hmw file that should be used to migrate to iOS. So first please try the Sample Family File2022.hmw as shown.
As that advice says later, migrating .ged files does not include Media.

HeredisHelpImage.png (404.08 KiB) Viewed 3590 times

[Mal]

All of this seems pretty complicated to me. As mentioned above my recommended low cost solution for iOS users is GedView. It works with bog standard GEDCOM and thereby avoids the complications and workarounds associated with proprietary files.

It doesn’t require USBs, Cloud, Dropbox, intermediate conversion steps etc. The whole process of getting a GEDCOM and associated Media onto an iPad is ridiculously easy.

I use Mike’s Export GEDCOM plugin with Default settings. The only input I make is to set the Media Height and Width to suit my needs.

Then I press the “Big Button” which creates an Export folder in the default location, containing all my Media and the GEDCOM file. The Export folder is then attached to an e-mail (either as is, or as a zipped file containing the GEDCOM and Media files) which I open on the iPad straight into the GedView app. Works perfectly every time.

Incidentally the same process works with the more expensive MobileFamilyTree iOS app.

[sgauntlett]

Thanks Mike - by importing the exported gedcom and media into Heredis for Windows and then dragging that entire folder across to Heredis in iTunes - it worked!

Thanks Malcolm for the suggestion of GedView. I did pay the £5 and try it but I couldn't see any media associated with each person. I didn't spend much time playing with it though, as I've got Heredis to work.

Cheers all

[Mal]

Media associated with facts, sources etc in Family Historian is attached to the same facts & sources in GedView and is viewable in GedView.

[BEJ]

At less than a fiver, in my opinion GedView is a really great option. It's mature and regularly updated. No trial version. Follow the link from the iOS App Store to the developer's web site where you will find a comprehensive User Guide and Screenshots of every feature. The beauty of this app is it's simplicity. An easy export from Family Historian, with accompanying Media, puts all of your data on the iPad. If you just want easy access to all your GEDCOM data on the go and don't need to view snazzy reports, charts etc this would be my recommendation.

I also use GedView on my iPad and find it simple and useful. No bells and whistle but it gives me everything I need when not at my computer.