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Adeering · 02-27-2012, 10:29 AM

So starting this as a project for my own personal use until I here from Brad (Beersmith developer) on some specifics, but heres what Im planning, gonna keep it simple to start out and then expand it once features are available:

Four functions:
1. Read/Display Recipe-will look similar to the build display with just a list in order that they are used in the process
2. Brew Steps - Will give a brief brew step similar to Brewsheet but will have input for gravity readings and a notes section at bottom
3. Timer - two separate timers for mash and boil that will alert 1min before next step, as well as have a list of steps with times below timer, will have a pause button as well, automatically set to time based on recipe
4. Tools - will have refractometer converter, dilution tool, and Boil off tool

Other features:
Settings for unit selection (english/metric and maybe imperial)
Import for recipes (this will be in there to start, if the cloud service is released will work to implement that with updating recipes with gravity readings and notes automatically)

This is a simple brew day buddy assistant for beersmith, so features are limited to what is used on brew day, if i missed anything major let me know

Things not added on purpose:
- DME addition for gravity boosting after mashing-have to deal with the calculations for different types of DME and volume so a little above my knowledge and a lot of work for different DMEs would need database on the device to do this. Now i might later make it to where you can put in the required info about the DME and then do it so no preselects, but you would need to know the info on the DME
- Any editing of the recipe - not needed as this is brew day assistant should have the ingredients and recipe finished by then- if something changes write it in notes

Seven · 02-27-2012, 11:58 AM

So are you planning to have this read Beersmith data files for recipe info?

**boist** · 02-27-2012, 12:56 PM

I would not discount the recipe editing tools. One of the things I've found very useful is having my recipe in BrewQ on my phone when I go to the LHBS. It seems that they're always out of something I need, or the AA doesn't match the value I used to calculate my recipe IBUs and things like that. Being able to plug different substitutes "on the fly" as you're shopping is invaluable.
Just my 2c

Adeering · 02-27-2012, 01:49 PM

Yes this will be to read beersmith files that are exported in xml format to start

As for the recipe editing it would be nice, the problem is I dont have the knowledge/info/time to make the database with all that info to give data for OG, color, etc

**DJP00829** · 02-28-2012, 01:41 AM

Subscribed. I'm just getting in to the BeerSmith and would love an accompanying app for my phone!

**Golddiggie** · 02-28-2012, 03:48 AM

I'd be interested too. Should be set to work with 3.x and 4.x since that's what most tablets run these days (at least the newer ones). I have an Acer A500 that's running 3.2.x right now. I'm waiting for 4.x to be released for my Droid Razr too (waiting for it on my A500)...

You going to make it free to HBT members??

**boist** · 02-28-2012, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adeering

As for the recipe editing it would be nice, the problem is I dont have the knowledge/info/time to make the database with all that info to give data for OG, color, etc

All that information is in xml files in the beersmith files directory. BS doesn't use a database, it just parses those files directly.
The interesting thing is that BS doesn't refer to these entries from within the XML. Rather, in each recipe BS copies into the recipe XML the complete value for the ingredient in question. For example:
<F_MH_NAME>Single Infusion, Medium Body</F_MH_NAME>
<F_MH_GRAIN_WEIGHT>161.0256639</F_MH_GRAIN_WEIGHT>
<F_MH_GRAIN_TEMP>64.4000000</F_MH_GRAIN_TEMP>
<F_MH_BOIL_TEMP>212.0000000</F_MH_BOIL_TEMP>
<F_MH_TUN_TEMP>64.4000000</F_MH_TUN_TEMP>
Gives some details about a specific recipe's mash. This is saved on a per-recipe basis.

In your case, since you don't really need full-scale editing, but rather modifying an existing recipe, you can get away without most of this. Instead, you can provide a way to adjust AA calculation, and perhaps give a list of alternative hop, yeast, and grain choices (which are fairly small, static tables) That is, give just enough functionality that will allow a person to substitute alternatives into an existing recipe in order to match their original plan.

I am currently doing some work on parsing BS xml files for a personal brewing application I'm writing for the PC. It's Java, so it should translate fairly well to Android. If you do decide to pursue this further, I may be able to help you with some things. LMK
Boaz

Adeering · 02-28-2012, 01:09 PM

Yeah ive been looking at the XML output and while the information is there for items in your brew you wouldnt be able to add new items without a database of some sort to tell you the info about that item or have the user input the required data. The editing of recipes wont be in the initial design, but if I get support from the beersmith guy for this I might add it in later.

What im currently planning on is making it for 3.2 and up, I know that limits pretty much all phones currently and I might adjust it later and make a lower version, but I want to use one of the features of honeycomb to make it easier in the long run to update it. Im working on creating a recipe class to hold all the info parsed from the XML file currently

Ive started a XML parser myself and its taking a little while, as there are a lot of tags to account for. But I should have a basic working model by the end of the weekend hopefully

PistolsAtDawn · 03-07-2012, 06:35 PM

I'd be very pleased to have this. Please let us know of your progress!

rambler · 03-09-2012, 05:13 AM

Will most definitely be paying attention to this also. Been waiting for Beersmith for a long time now.