How to print or convert to .doc FD files

[bigmax]

Is there a way to convert FULL DISCLOSURE files into nice looking .doc (.pdf) ones? I mean suit symbols, offsets, different colors for opps bids etc.

 

Availability of such feature/utility will make FD a great tool for offline system builders as well.

[fred]

Currently there is no way to do this, but I am sure I will get this done eventually (though it is not near the top of my list of things to do). Remember that the primary goals are:

 

1) to establish a mechanism for automatically explaining bids that are made during online play

 

2) to replace the existing BBO convention card facility

 

No doubt I could spend the next year or so spending most of my time working on adding functionality to FD, but that would not be the best use of my time (since most of these functions would be used by only a tiny minority of BBO users). I am hopeful that other programmers will get involved in creating "FD utlity programs" at some point.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

[Chamaco]

Agree.

A file format conversion utility would do the job, preprocessing the data for any other word processing editor.

[G_R__E_G]

I would be glad to write a macro in Word that would do this. Give me some idea of how you would like it to look and it should be a pretty simple task.

 

Regards.

[bigmax]

Thanks GREG. That would help a lot.

 

As to the format - it is actually not trivial and input from other members will be appriciated. In my opinion it should look something like this (example is from Scanian major raiss posted by Chamaco at FD system forum)

001HP2N=YNNYNNN5Usually 4+ trumps, invitaional hand or better (usually at least 9+/10 hcp)

001HP2NP3H=NNNYNNN008Bad minimum opener.

001HP2NP3D=YNNYNNN508Good minimum or void

001HP2NP3DP3H=NNNYNNN208limit raise, min opener may pass

001HP2NP3DP3S=YNNYNNN708General slam try

001HP2NP3DP3SP3N=YNNYNNN0No singleton

001HP2NP3DP3SP3NP4C=NNNYNNN001singleton !c

001HP2NP3DP3SP3NP4D=NNNYNNN008singleton !d

001HP2NP3DP3SP3NP4S=YNNYNNN708singleton !s with a slam try

001HP2NP3DP3SP3NP4H=NNNYNNN008No singleton

001HP2NP3DP3SP3NP5H=YNNYNNN708Strong Slam try without singleton

 

I have to use .. instead of   for formatting

 

1♥-2N Usually 4+ trumps....

 

1♥-2N (this line might be in smaller font)

3♥................Bad minimum opener

3♦.................Good minimum or void

 

1♥-2N

3♦ (this might be in smaller font)

........3♥.........limit raise, min

........3♠........-.....

etc

 

Any suggestions on best format of output appriciated.

[Chamaco]

I'd like to make the following suggestions/wishes.

Perhaps using Word macros allows different formatting too.

 

If that is the case, I think it would increase the readability if:

 

1- the bids are indented

 

2- the bids are BOLDFACE font

 

3- the description of the bids (e.g. the alert explanations in FD) are in a different color, say BLUE

 

4- the bid-type field text (e.g. FORCING, NONFORCING, FORCING TO GAME, RELAY, PUPPET, ASKING BID, etc) is colored with a different color (say RED)

 

5- the "number of promised cards" field text is colore with a different color (say GREEN)

 

In this way, the reader can , *at a glance*, differentiate the information type (bid, its description, what kind of bid it is, how many cards it promises)

[fred]

I will be happy to explain the file format to any programmers out there who want to create FD utilities. The file format is not written down anywhere and it will take a some work for me to describe it in a document so plesae don't ask only if you are curious - I don't want to get involved in this unless there are programmers who want to work with FD files that need my help.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com