Streamlining Scout Cards with Play Editor PQD

Initial Setup
Method 1 - Hand Draw
Method 2 - Draw on the Fly
Method 3 - Catapult/PFF
Troubleshooting and Pro-Tips



Initial Setup: Preparing Your Practice Script

Data Preparation

To ensure a seamless integration, format your practice script in PQD Accel, Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets according to these requirements:

• Structure: Maintain a simplified layout with clearly defined columns and rows.
• Concatenation Columns: Utilize a concatenation formula to combine multiple data points into a single field for the template. For example, use a formula to merge [Formation], [Play Name], and [Protection] into one "Play Call" column. This allows a single text box on your scout card to display comprehensive information without overcrowding the layout.

Configuring Column Sets

1. Launch the Play Editor.
2. Select the Accel tab at the top of the interface.
3. Select Configure Column Sets button.
4. Establish your column set using one of two methods:
   • Import from File: Click New, name your column set, Select Import to load a local .xlsx file. The system will automatically populate columns and values based on the file structure.
   • Create from Scratch: Click New, name your column set, click Add to manually define each column header. This method is mandatory when your data source is a Google Sheet.

Data Import Methods

The column count in the PQD Accel interface must match your source spreadsheet exactly.

This workflow is optimized for staff who prefer to hand-draw diagrams, whether for offensive, defensive, or special teams layouts, but require automated data overlays for play names and defensive information.

Library Requirements

The drawing library must contain PowerPoint slides saved as objects, not static images (PNGs). These PowerPoint files serve as the editable backgrounds for your cards, allowing the system to manipulate them during the export process.

The "Three-Way Match" Requirement

For the automation to function, you must ensure an exact match between three components:

1. Source Spreadsheet: The column headers in your script.
2. PQD Accel Column Set: The headers defined in the Play Editor.
3. Scout Card Template: The specific text box names in your template (e.g., scout card template Accel). Note: If naming conventions between the PQD Accel headers and the Template text boxes are not identical, the data mapping will fail.

Execution

1. Open Play Editor.
2. Select your drawing library that contains the slide background image.
3. Choose the hand draw option.
4. Apply your specific Accel-ready template.
5. Select Export. Ensure you are using the play data source to pull from the script. The system will generate a deck applying every script row to the selected background.

Use this method to build custom play drawings directly within the Play Editor to correspond with the sequence of your practice script in real-time.

Workflow Logic

This procedural workflow focuses on building visual components (formations and routes) for each line item in the script. Each drawing is "saved" to its corresponding script row as you advance through the document.

Step-by-Step Card Creation

1. Insert the initial formation (e.g., Twins).
2. Utilize the Shapes menu to add routes and concepts.
3. Upon completing the first card, right-click on the drawing library and select settings, then click Add to New Slide. This action saves the current drawing to the current script row and advances the editor to the next row in the interface.
4. Repeat this process for all subsequent cards in the script.
5. As you add drawings to new slides you will see the row change to the next in Accel with every addition so you can match your script.

Export Configuration

Select Accel Export and configure the following parameters:

• Destination: Define the file path and create a specific subfolder for the deck.
• Slide Notes: Set Slide notes equal to text name to ensure drawing notes are imported to the final slides.
• Prefix slide number: Enable this setting to automatically number cards according to the practice period (e.g., numbering cards 1 through 5).

Library Integration

When you click Export, the system simultaneously saves these new drawings to your library for future use while marrying the images to the script data.

This method allows you to utilize PFF diagrams from film cutups and replace the original film-synced "Thunder data" with your practice script data.

Initial Configuration

1. Toggle the Accel mode to Off.
2. Enable the Catapult Playlist function.
3. Activate the setting Add drawing slide to play editor. This serves as the critical bridge between the video diagram and the Play Editor.
4. Ensure Play Editor is toggled On.

Importing and Drawing Overlay

1. Import a cutup to pull in the PFF diagram or formation.
2. Use the drawing tools to overlay concepts, such as routes, directly onto the imported PFF diagram.

Script Alignment

1. After finalizing the drawing, toggle the Accel mode back to On.
2. The system will now override the original "Thunder data" (film-based data) and match the drawing to the current row in your practice script.

Integration Export

1. Navigate to the Export menu.
2. Select the template that links to your column set.
3. Choose Scout Card and define the export destination.
4. Select Export to finalize the document.

Pro-Tips

• Header Precision: Ensure the naming conventions in your Accel headers and Template text boxes are identical. Even a small discrepancy will prevent data from appearing on the card.
• Column Alignment: Always verify that the number of columns in your source Google Sheet or Microsoft Excel file matches the column count in the PQD Accel interface before pasting.
• Background Format: Maintain your library backgrounds as PowerPoint slides; using PNGs or other image formats will prevent the system from recognizing them as editable objects.
• Save Frequently: Always click Save within the PQD Accel interface after any import or paste action before initiating an Export.