SRD Woes

[mythusmage]

I'm trying to translate the RTF files so I can work on a little project of mine. Unfortunately, they're in Microsoft RTF, which is to RTF what carob is to chocolate. Which means I'm having a hell of a time with 'em. If you know where I can find the files in text or real RTF I'd greatly appreciate it.

And for the folks at Wizards; get a translation utility that can handle real RTF and put the files in real RTF.

Just downloaded the files again. This time I hope things go better.

BTW, the first person to say, "Get Office for Mac, loser." gets banned for a week. The second person to say, "Get Office for Mac, loser." gets banned for two weeks.

 

[Jeranon]

I'd prefer XML.

But isn't relying on anything other than WotC a potential source of pain? WotC does an update and you're stuck having to wait for someone to put it into a friendly format or manually checking things.

I'm pretty sure Microsoft's RTF format is not closed since I was trying to do what you are doing and found a spec document for it. Unless of course you are relying on other libraries... I know that Andargor used a program called rtfx to turn it into something nicer (xml maybe), but he had to tweak the source or something to make it handle rtf tables better. I also think he used a different rtf found at that website that has all the various different SRD presentations (e.g. Sovelior etc).

 

[trancejeremy]

Hrrrmph. I thought I had you on my ignore list. But before I correct that, I'll suggest this: why not try OpenOffice for the Mac? Openoffice reads Office generated RTFs okay

 

[mythusmage]

I'll be working with them, not just reading.

 

[mythusmage]

I'd prefer XML.

But isn't relying on anything other than WotC a potential source of pain? WotC does an update and you're stuck having to wait for someone to put it into a friendly format or manually checking things.

I'm pretty sure Microsoft's RTF format is not closed since I was trying to do what you are doing and found a spec document for it. Unless of course you are relying on other libraries... I know that Andargor used a program called rtfx to turn it into something nicer (xml maybe), but he had to tweak the source or something to make it handle rtf tables better. I also think he used a different rtf found at that website that has all the various different SRD presentations (e.g. Sovelior etc).

Right now relying on WotC is a source of pain. :\ If nothing else I'll see if I can get the new downloads translated (eventually) to Nisus Writer (Mac) and through NW to standard RTF. If you have a Mac Nisus Writer handles standard RTF beautifully. (Warning, Nisus writer can open MS RTF, but you get tons of coding junk with the text.)

 

[coz]

www.d20srd.org
has the complete srd (3.5) in html format

 

[mythusmage]

How dare you hijack this thread with something constructive?

 

[DarkSoldier]

Forgive him, for he is a n00bie and knows not what he does.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Hrrrmph. I thought I had you on my ignore list. But before I correct that, I'll suggest this: why not try OpenOffice for the Mac? Openoffice reads Office generated RTFs okay

I'll be working with them, not just reading.

I am not sure, but I think you can not only read, but also save them - just chose a different format than M$ RTF...

EDIT:
Just tested it, using Word 2000 to create RTF document, and using OpenOffice 1.0.3 to open it and then save it in a different format. Seemed to work fine.

 

[BSF]

I was going to suggest the Openoffice route. I've been able to modify MS formats with Openoffice. It is a little large, but since it is free it might not be a bad option to install on your mac just to be able to read MS files that come your direction.