T2G: Templates

Overview

GEDCOM files are difficult to create because the various programs that read GEDCOM files do not follow all the same rules or support all the same options. To compensate for that, TMG to GEDCOM includes many option settings. To help users set the options properly, TMG to GEDCOM includes template files with pre-defined option settings optimized for a specific GEDCOM reader.

If you have optimized TMG to GEDCOM settings for use with a GEDCOM reader, please contact me so I can add your settings to the system templates library.

Templates

For information about one of the templates included with TMG to GEDCOM, click one of the links below.

If your application is not listed below, that does not mean that TMG to GEDCOM does not support your GEDCOM reader. It means you may have to modify the default settings in TMG to GEDCOM manually to get the best results.

Load Template

Use the Utilities > Load Template submenu to load a template file with property values for the usage indicated by the name of the template file.

TMG to GEDCOM's Load Template submenu includes system templates published on the TMG to GEDCOM server as well as templates you have saved. The templates stored on the server may be updated independantly of program releases. System templates appear first in the submenu.

Templates saved by the user are stored on the user's PC. User templates appear last in the submenu and are separated from the system templates by a divider.

If you do not see any system templates, check the Application log to see if there was an error attempting to fetch the system template list. Firewall software or an antivirus program may be preventing TMG to GEDCOM from connecting to the server to fetch the system template list.

Before loading template values, TMG to GEDCOM resets most property values to their default values. It then assigns the property values from the template file.

The following sections are not reset:

Compiler
Database
Language
People

Tag Properties

System templates do not contain properties for all possible custom Tag Types. To compensate for custom Tag Types that you have added to your TMG project, the Load Template process uses tag settings for common Tag Types to set Tag Properties for custom Tag Types. For example, "Census" tag properties are used for any custom Tag Type where the GEDCOM Tag is set to "CENS". Similarly, "Birth" tag properties are used for all custom Birth Group tags, and the main Tag Type in any TMG Tag Group is used for any custom Tag Type in that Group.

You should review the properties in the Tags Section after loading a template. Use the property settings for common tags to assess whether your custom Tag Types have the appropriate column values.

Template Version

Template files include a version stamp that indicates which version of the program created the template file. If you are using an out-of-date version of the program and you attempt to load a template that was written by a newer version, TMG to GEDCOM will warn you that your version of the program may not be able to load all the properties.

Save Template...

Use the Utilities > Save Template... command to save a template file with the current property values.

You do not have to save a template to use the template facility. Most users will load a template to set the optimum property values for the program where they intend to import the GEDCOM file. Only advanced users who intend to develop templates will use the Save Template... command.

When you save a template, TMG to GEDCOM saves it to this folder:

Documents\TMG to GEDCOM\Templates\

The following property values are not saved in the template:

Compiler.Name
Compiler.EMail Address
Database section (all properties)
Person Filter

Saving Over an Existing Template

When saving a template, the template name defaults to the name of the last template loaded since the current settings file (".tgfile") was opened. You can open a ".tgfile", load a template, modify property values, then use the Save Template command to save over the template you loaded.

When you attempt to overwrite an existing template file, TMG to GEDCOM will ask you to confirm the operation.

When you close the current ".tgfile", or open a different ".tgfile", the saved template name is reset.

Download a System Template

If you are unable to access a system template due to networking problems or other issues, you may download one or more system templates manually.

To download a template, right-click one of the links below and choose "Save link as" (or equivalent) in your browser. In the subsequent "Save as" dialog, navigate to the Documents\TMG to GEDCOM\Templates folder and save the template file there. If you do not have a "Templates" subfolder, make one.

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