Breeders Assistant - Whats New
Version 4.65a
Bug Fixes
When importing data with the 'tag updated records' option selected, the program would incorrectly tag import records that are identical to import records. Now only import records that are different in some way are tagged.
Auto-detection of breeder/owner from prefixes (kennel/cattery/breeding names) that include spaces (i.e. multi-word prefixes) now works.
Fixed a problem concerning the detection of self-parenting loops (ancestor circularities) in the pedigree.
Inbreeding
Added new options for controlling the selection of ancestors that are considered in inbreeding calculations. These can be found on the new Inbreeding tab of the Preferences window.
BA now supports calculation of the 'rate of inbreeding' and loss of heterozygosity. These can be included on pedigrees and other documents.
Inbreeding calculations are now up to 40% faster.
Miscellaneous
The trial version is no longer limited to 100 records.
The max. generations of ancestors for ancestor forms has been increased from 16 to 32.
BA for Dogs: support for new UKC litter registration form added.
BA for Dogs: support for 2005 UK Kennel Club litter registration form added.
BA for Dogs: support for CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) show entry and litter registration forms added (you need to download the PDF files for these forms from the CKC website).
XML export now writes files with newlines to make the generated XML files easier to open with a text editor.
BA for Hamsters: now includes much improved breed list and new genetic configurations for Syrians and Campbells (donated by Forest Duby - thankyou Forest!)
Version 4.62
Exporting
XML export: fixed a bug with the incorrect handling of escaped characters
Importing
ANIM-ALL import: fixed a bug that could cause some import records to be ignored in rare situations
Show Entry Forms
BA for Dogs: UK generic dog show entry form, fixed error with date of birth for 3rd and subsequent dogs on a single form
Litter Registration Forms
BA for Dogs: Updated the UK Kennel Club litter registration form layout.
BA for Cats: Added support for the new GCCF litter registration form PDF (that can be downloaded from the GCCF web site).
Miscellaneous
Previously there was no way to correct the case of the licensed user contact record. This is now done automatically when you change the case of the license name using Configure|License Name.
Product and documentation updated to reflect Tenset's change of address.
Bug fix: Ancestor gender colouring in pedigrees was the wrong way round by default. Fixed.
BA for Cats: Bug fix: If you had both EMS codes and breed numbers set in your breed database, the auto-lookup of EMS codes did not work correctly in the Breed tab of the Cat Details window.
Version 4.60
Breeds
If the 'non-standard breed' option is checked (Breed tab), BA no longer checks the breed fields against the breed database
BA for Dogs: added Parson Russell Terrier, Cane Corso (FCI), one or 2 others
BA for Birds: added Society Finch, Zebra Finch, Canary, European Finches
Database
Record limit increased to 1,000,000 animals/database (Pro/Commercial editions)
Search/replace: leading/trailing spaces on the match and replace-match strings now allowed
BUG fix: Entering text into the 'quick find' box did not always work correctly; fixed.
BUG fix: Previously, after using the 'repair database' option, COI values may have been displayed incorrectly
Exporting
New option to ignore diacritical marks (accents on letters) when exporting
CSV export: added export layout for convenient export from BA/PA to FSpeed
CSV export: now supports 'custom' columns - allows explicit use of field codes and macros when generating CSV column output
Importing
BA for Dogs: Added KCBS import - can now convert databases stored in Kennel Club Breed System (v4) format
Import performance considerably improved for large databases. Typically many times faster
Added new 'automatic mode' - make importing quicker and easier
New option: ignore diacritical marks (accents on letters) during importing
Many data converters further enhanced
BUG fix: When importing from another BA database you can now convert the Show Records
Genetics
New option to display assumed genotypes, defaults to off. Unless selected, assumed genotypes are dropped from the Genetics window and mating predictions reports
New option to adjust precision of COI values (1-3 decimal places; previously fixed at 1 decimal place)
Litter Registration Forms
BA for Dogs: KC litter registration form, previously it was requiring text entered as 'advert'; now optional
Pedigrees
Added 5 G Copperplate pedigree layouts included as standard (most variants)
Added Copperplate pedigree layouts to include registration numbers
BA for Dogs: Added Copperplate pedigree layouts to include hip scores
Added Copperplate pedigree layouts that include logo (all variants)
BA for Rabbits: Copperplate pedigrees now include fields required by ARBA
Litter and Trial Mating pedigrees now include breeder/owner by default
Reports
Added the means to have 'custom' columns - allows explicit use of field codes and macros when generating CSV column output
Show Entry Forms
BA for Cats: Added show entry form for use with GCCF Championship Shows
BA for Cats: CFA show entry form, fixed formatting error in the option boxes
BA for Dogs: UK generic dog show entry form, fixed error in owner address field
Misc
Help Reference considerably enhanced
Photo thumbnail browser now 'remembers' the folder it was last open at
New 'date of printing' option available as system field <$PrintDate>; allows a form to be customized to include a date of printing that is not necessarily todays date
BUG fix: You can now remove standard entries from the Contact Titles lists; likewise for some other lists
BUG fix: Title conversion was not doing the correct thing with apostrophes
BUG fix: The wordwrap option in multiline text fields on PDF merge forms was not working
Version 4.51
We added a 'quick data entry' screen for animal records: Ctrl+Plus. This is a non-tabbed entry screen designed for fast keyboard input of animals.
We added an option to display the ancestors during data entry in a more traditional non-overlapping style. Those customers who originally had version 2 of Breeders Assistant (cats) will remember this. The is now the default; there is an option on Configure>Preferences>Misc to revert to the overlapping style of versions 3 and 4.
Entry of show records: there are now drop-lists for the Show Name and Class Name fields
You can now choose the default country for new contacts; set on Configure>Preferences>Misc
You can now choose the default registry for new animals; set on Configure>Preferences>Misc
There is a new keyboard shortcut, F10, that moves the input focus to the Find box and clears it. This means e.g. that to search for an animal by name just hit F10 then key in the name.
The tabbed windows (e.g. Cat/Dog/Whatever Details) now support keyboard shortcuts to switch between tabs. Use Alt+Shift+Letter e.g. Alt+Shift+A to switch to the ancestors tab.
There are now keyboard shortcuts for setting the sex and status when adding animals.
The Back and Forward buttons - for moving between recently viewed records - now have keyboard shortcuts: Alt + Left Arrow or Alt + Right Arrow (same as IE)
More keyboard shortcuts when working with animal records:
- F2=set/change sire of the current record [i.e., choose from list]
- Ctrl+F2=open the Details window for the sire of the current record [i.e, view/edit sire details]
- Shift+Ctrl+F2=go to the sire of the current record
- F3: as above, but for the dam
- F4: as above, but for the breeder
- F5: as above, but for the owner
All the above options are also available through the Record>More Data Entry Options submenu
We added options for setting the list colours - see on Configure>Preferences>User Interface
Added case sensitive search options
Diacriticals are now treated as if they were unaccented during sorting and comparison; this means they index better and can be searched more easily. Useful for customers in non-english speaking countries.
Added a history clear option (clears the history field of every record).
Added a DNA profile field (cat, dog, horse and generic versions).
Added 'reg no.' as standard 'View by' option.
Improved the capitalisation of words: e.g. O'Malley now handled correctly.
Added Canadian KC breeds and titles (and forms - see below).
Added Leonberger to dog genetics.
Added LH Dachshund to AKC dog breeds.
During import, when there is a clash with an existing record, the existing record is now shown as well so you can compare on screen.
New 'Automatic mode' for most imports, which skips much of the import user interface and immediately imports all data with auto-merging with priority to existing data; turn this option off to revert to the existing import user interface.
New option on Alfirin web database export: whether or not to fold diacriticals to their unaccented equivalents, both in the keyword index and in the main records themselves.
Similar option added for text file export.
Added support for Canadian KC show entry and registration forms.
Added 'generic' UK dog show entry forms suitable for use with any show; versions provided for Open and Champ shows.
Added folded pedigree cover sheet styles with customizable text boxes on the reverse.
Added a standard pedigree form with a 'Printed by ...' box instead of the signature - helpful for Personal Edition users who want to print any pedigree.
Added an optional disk cache of merged PDF forms - speeds up the initial display of these forms.
Bug Fixes: The following problems were fixed in 4.51: Photos in the Dog Details and Form Properties windows sometimes didn't appear. Bugs concerning the changing of partial dates fixed. Problems with the display of the {H} control code [hidden text]. Self-parenting detection improved. Initial index display: previously the 'View by' box would always say 'By name' even when the displayed records were (correctly) ordered according to the last displayed index. Incorrect ordering of records when printing a report now fixed.
Version 4.40
Cage cards forms now available in Breeders Assistant for Horses.
Added new {H+}/{H-} escape sequence that means 'hidden' text and is simply discarded when used in forms.
Layouts of standard litter registration forms for AKC and UK Kennel Club forms updated due to changes in their PDF files.
Breeders Assistant for Rabbits now includes all mandatory fields as required by ARBA.
Breeders Assistant for Birds now includes Zebra Finch color genetics (requires Genetics Option).
Added mechanism to add user-defined genes to standard genetic configurations (requires Genetics Option).
Extended inbreeding coefficient calculation to maximum 60 generations.
Added means to save a 'print' pedigree as an image file (PNG or JPEG). Useful for emailing fancy pedigrees as attachments.
Bug Fixes: The following problems were fixed in 4.40: Adding {} to an animal's name would previously cause a program crash. Display of money figures in certain accounting forms was incorrect. Fixed some importing problems. Customizing columns in the main window could crash when using escape sequences in custom column definitions. Holding down the control key when using design mode for a merge form (PDF) could cause the mouse cursor to disappear. Default gestation period for dogs changed to 63. The 'expected date' for a litter did not necessarily display in mating certificates/contracts. The Access Permissions summary (publisher feature) did not report the copy/paste permission correctly.
Version 4.35
Show entry forms: CFA, TICA, FIFe, AKC, UKC, UK Kennel Club, ARBA (rabbits).
Registration forms: CFA, TICA, FIFe, AKC, UKC, UK Kennel Club.
Many new pedigree layouts including ornate 'Copperplate' styles.
Pedigree cover sheets for trial/litter pedigrees.
Pictorial pedigrees - include pictures of ancestors within the ancestor grid.
Image pedigrees (the means to save 'print quality' pedigrees as images e.g. for web publishing, email).
Classy decorative borders + artwork.
Calligraphic textual effects.
Pedigrees can include sideways text (requires Windows 2000/XP/Vista).
Enhanced support for after titles: can now be easily included in pedigrees, can be color highlighted separate from primary title.
Text pedigree import - to directly import text pedigrees into the database.
Text pedigrees and ancestors reports now extend to 16 generations.
Animal title highlighting and pictures now available in HTML pedigrees (requires Pro/Commercial version).
Litter pedigrees.
Full support for web pedigree databases using the Alfirin system.
Genetics: Many major enhancements including:
polygene support
enhanced genotype entry using picklists
many standard genetic configurations now supplied in most versions especially for cats (30+ breeds handled) and dogs (60+ breeds handled)
extensive support for congenital diseases (e.g. over 70 in dog version, over 30 in cat version)
gene inheritance probability calculation to selected #generations
polygenic family trait analysis
covariance analysis
gene frequency analysis
display of computed phenotype in Animal Details screen
pedigrees can include computed phenotype
preference setting to auto verify genotype against parents upon entry
breed database now has fields for male + female genotype (useful for sex-linked colours), many other enhancements.
New customizations for fields in pedigrees: choose the order the fields appear, their alignment, customize their labels.
Litter Certificates.
Cage/hutch cards.
New custom form facility - introducing many more layouts for customized forms.
Stud cards (both sides).
GCCF compliant mating certificates.
New 'Linechaser' style ancestors listing.
New 'breedings' report - listing all breedings + offspring for a given animal.
Fully customizable PDF print-merge facility (combine any PDF file with data from a BA database and print the whole thing in a single pass from BA)
New record statistics maintained e.g. #offspring, #matings, #animals owned etc.
Quick 'Find' box in main window - for rapidly moving between records.
Rare breeds: generic version now has breed lists for most breeds of cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats.
FCI breeds and titles in dog version.
Updated standard breed lists, especially for dog + cat versions.
New 'publisher facility' for secure distribution of breed databases.
Record tagging extensions e.g. flip tags, tag ancestors to chosen depth, tag common ancestors, tag descendants, mark imported records as tagged.
Enhanced appointments system for tasks: addition of repeat counts, completion status, color coding in task list.
New 'simplified' data entry screens for less experienced users.
Many special features added for CFA + TICA cat breeders e.g. auto-setting breed + gender from reg. no.s, DOB detection from TICA reg. no.s, TICA breeds & titles, TICA category & division fields.
Many special features added for FIFe/CA breeders.
Autocompletion of breed fields upon entry of breed number(Cats, dogs) or EMS code(cats).
Inbreeding: now much faster, max. 60 generations, new inbreeding analysis report, can now tabulate COI and related details in the main window.
Self-parenting Circularity detection.
Greatly improved install and uninstall process.
Many new fields in all versions of Breeders Assistant.
International support: Many enhancements including:
more date formats
configurable currency formats
measurement unit preference setting (inches, cm, mm, points etc)
most language in printed documents can be customized
greatly improved American English support, means for language customizations to be included within a database.
Improved database searching: new match conditions 'field is empty' 'field is not empty', saved searches (favorites), searching speeded up.
Global Find+Replace facility.
Global Field Transfer.
Global Field Case Conversion.
Import data from many other programs.
Text file import: many enhancements including:
'add range' facility for importing subsets of input data
field lookup tables (e.g. for converting breed descriptions on-the-fly during import)
now supports multiple import layouts without need to keep redefining the current format
handles more date formats
option to ignore header line
improved handling of ambiguity resolution during import
option to tag all imported records
various other improvements.
Text file export: many enhancements including:
optional column heading row
option to export to the clipboard
you can now specify an export field using a custom output string - useful for highly custom exports.
Database Repair option.
Means to export a pedigree layout from one database to another - so users can exchange pedigree designs.
Added a new 'Breeder/Owner' option for pedigree forms that is now the default. If the breeder and owner are the same, you now just get a single line output e.g. "Breeder/Owner: Colin Manning" whereas if they are different, you get 2 separate lines e.g. "Breeder: Fred Bloggs" & "Owner: John Smith".
You can now include the Notes field in pedigrees and Trial Matings.
Extended the {T} tab stop escape sequence so you can specify tab stops separately.
Added support for using external PDF files as pictures. E.g. to use a PDF file as a watermark.
Breeder Logo can now be both text AND graphics; when both present the text is overlaid. E.g. to use a photo with breeder name superimposed.
Added a means to enlarge the main window font - for partially sighted users.
We added new 'Add Litter' command to the Tools menu when working with animals.
We made many improvements to the Breed Configuration window.
You can now choose whether to use long or short names in pedigrees and similar documents - separately for the subject animal and individually for each ancestor generation.
Vaccination records: no. of vaccinations per record increased from 4 to 8; we added 'Clear' buttons so you can now clear a vaccination entry.
Added a picture thumbnail viewer for use when selecting photos.
New options for user customizable columns in the main window; also the means to rename columns.
New options to customize text reports such as reverse pedigrees and descendant analyses so as to include the fields you want.
Added optional sound effects.
Many new Preference settings.
And many many other improvements too numerous to list.
See Also:
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Real Cool Stuff
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