Playwrite, the fine wine of game design » 4e D&D http://www.theplaywrite.com Fine wine of game design Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:39:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 New 4e custom classes: Dark Swordmage, Elementalist, Berserker and Conductor http://www.theplaywrite.com/4edd/new-4e-custom-classes-dark-swordmage-elementalist-berserker-and-conductor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-4e-custom-classes-dark-swordmage-elementalist-berserker-and-conductor http://www.theplaywrite.com/4edd/new-4e-custom-classes-dark-swordmage-elementalist-berserker-and-conductor/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:56:45 +0000 Logan http://www.theplaywrite.com/?p=1091 Some new custom classes have made their way from the 4e Power Toolkit. Whether you’re looking for alternatives to the stock classes or inspiration to help you roll your own, be sure to check them out.

Beserker
Conductor
Dark Swordmage
Elementalist

More custom 4e classes can be found here.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/4edd/new-4e-custom-classes-dark-swordmage-elementalist-berserker-and-conductor/feed/ 0 That new 4e Character Builder: Understanding the move to Silverlight http://www.theplaywrite.com/4edd/that-new-4e-character-builder-understanding-the-move-to-silverlight/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=that-new-4e-character-builder-understanding-the-move-to-silverlight http://www.theplaywrite.com/4edd/that-new-4e-character-builder-understanding-the-move-to-silverlight/#comments Wed, 08 Dec 2010 04:51:00 +0000 Logan http://www.theplaywrite.com/?p=1080 Recently, Wizards of the Coast announced it would discontinue support for the offline 4e Character Builder to make way for an online version powered by Silverlight, Microsoft’s competitor to Adobe’s Flash.

A centralised location for the application. A single, online database that can be updated quickly and the changes reflected instantly to all users. A cloud-based storage system so all your characters are available no matter where you are. Support for multiple platforms. These are the things the new CB promised.

Sadly for Wizards, not only was the reception to this news overwhelmingly negative, the launch itself did not go smoothly. Not at all.

According to feedback from users on Wizards’ forums, the online builder is slow, crashes constantly, delivers character sheets 100s of megabytes in size and has less homebrew support than the old CB. Commentary suggests that users of the new CB don’t feel like customers, but beta testers.

Perhaps the most controversial change is that you must have an active D&D Insider subscription to use the online CB. So unless you pay every month, you can’t use the Builder. Essentially, it’s a big F-U to transient subscribers.

It would be fair to ask then, given the relative maturity of the old Character Builder, why Wizards felt the need to move it all online? Why go through the agony of yet another product launch, complete with teething issues, bugs, missing features and the wrath of customers?

To cash up.

Sure, the new approach has benefits for players, but the strongest arguments for the online CB favour the business. No piracy and assured funds via subscriptions.

So, what if I like the old Character Builder?
You’re in luck, actually. For the time being, anyway. First, some background.

Silverlight runs on .NET. The Character Builder also uses .NET. In addition, both use Windows Presentation Foundation (or WPF) for their user interfaces. WPF is an alternative and pseudo-replacement for Windows Forms, the default UI library for .NET Windows applications.

What this means is that a majority, if not all, of the backend code – the stuff that does the heavy lifting and is the most time-consuming to implement – could be ported to a Silverlight app. Heck, as both platforms can utilise WPF, some of the frontend could be ported too.

Say what you will about Silverlight, .NET and C#, these tools can be used to build responsive apps. Microsoft’s XNA Framework, which is used for games development on PC and Xbox 360, has C# as its favoured language. A game is probably one of the most demanding applications you can write, requiring constant optimisation and an eye of time-sensitivity.

I’m not saying .NET is perfect, but it’s not junk either. As the saying goes: Don’t blame the tools.

I should also mention Microsoft is not abandoning Silverlight – it’s hogwash. (Bad) Journalists love to quote out of context, and that’s what happened at PDC. Here’s a blog post from Microsoft addressing the confusion:

The purpose of Silverlight has never been to replace HTML, but rather to do the things that HTML (and other technologies) can’t, and to do so in a way that’s easy for developers to use. Silverlight enables great client app and media experiences. It’s now installed on two-thirds of the world’s computers, and more than 600,000 developers currently build software using it. Make no mistake; we’ll continue to invest in Silverlight and enable developers to build great apps and experiences with it in the future.

The post admits the company’s strategy has “shifted”, but all this means is that it’s recognised that HTML5 is gaining momentum, and a lot of major players are supporting it. Go against this would be silly.

So… why Silverlight
Along with being the path of least resistance, going online-only with the CB and using Silverlight as a frontend addressed two significant issues in Wizards’ online and software strategy. The first was the lack of multiplatform support; Silverlight runs just as well on Windows and Mac.

The second, and likely what sealed the deal for Hasbro, Wizards’ parent company, was eliminating piracy. As long as the CB could exist offline and fully-functional, there was little either company could do to prevent users from copying the hell out of it.

And, eventually, adding our own content.

Sticking with the offline Character Builder
The CB’s assemblies are obsfucated with a commercial app called {smartassembly}. While this makes it incredibly difficult to discern the inner workings of the application, it didn’t stop one enthusiastic user from prying apart its innards. The result? CBLoader, an application that not only extracts the raw ruleset as XML, but can inject a custom ruleset into the program when it starts.

The silly thing is that CBLoader uses the CB’s own exposed routines to accomplish this – specifically those from a satellite library called ApplicationUpdate.Client.dll. Such is the insecurity of .NET. At least offline.

Now that Wizards has stopped updating (and I’m guessing supporting) the offline CB, CBLoader should work from now until forever. Already people have started putting together unofficial updates. Last time I checked, Dark Sun, Essentials and a couple of the latest Dragon mags are available. How long this community effort continues is dependent on a number of things; the offline CB has extensive modularity in its rules database, but major new features, such as Essentials and Dark Sun themes, will be difficult to replicate faithfully as the executable remains off-limits. Fortunately, a degree of support for these was included in the last official update (October, 2010).

There’s nothing stopping someone from coding a new offline frontend, however, if this situation eventuates.

Tracking down CBLoader and the unofficial updates is trivial. If you’ve been disenfranchised by Wizards’ new software strategy, you don’t have to stop using the offline CB just yet.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/4edd/that-new-4e-character-builder-understanding-the-move-to-silverlight/feed/ 3 April update: Zafehouse 2, 4e Power Toolkit http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/april-update-zafehouse-2-4e-power-toolkit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=april-update-zafehouse-2-4e-power-toolkit http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/april-update-zafehouse-2-4e-power-toolkit/#comments Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:43:27 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=867 It’s been over a month since I last posted about either Zafehouse 2 or the 4e Power Toolkit, so I was due. I don’t have a great deal to say, but I’m feeling a little disconnected from you guys and it’s making me sad.

Zafehouse 2: Development has been… slow. At work, we’re getting extremely close to the business end of development and I’m spending a lot of time doing the designer thing. It hasn’t left me with a lot of brain space or time for Zafehouse 2. This has compounded my aforementioned sadness.

Compounding the compounded sadness, I’ve hit a few roadblocks with the game, which I am methodically resolving. The biggest one was enemy/player placement in combat. Originally I was using pixel positioning, which seemed decent on the surface, but caused havoc with movement, path-finding and a bunch of other tiny things that grew into a series of big things with teeth, bad breath and mad, mad eyes. I’ve now switched to a grid system, and much of the pain has faded. I’m now refactoring the drawing code and logic so I can finish combat completely.

I’ve finally added the concept of stamina and I’m happy with the implementation. Stamina “units”, at their most basic level, are action points that carry between turns. When you don’t perform any strenuous activities, you regain half a stamina unit. Activities such as moving for extended periods, fighting and break (but not dismantling) furniture drain stamina. Having low stamina makes you move slower, while having close to no stamina stops you from barricading doors and making barricading supplies. Stimulants prevent stamina loss, but leave you with a stamina “debt” that must be repaid before you can regain it again.

Stamina also allows you to fight additional combat rounds before the zombies can act, giving you a small advantage when turds hit the turbines.

Survivor carry limits have been reduced, making your choice of stronghold even more important. Currently, survivors can carry 2 medicine, 2 alcohol and 5 barricades, down from 4, 4 and 10. On the upside, I realised 25 was a silly maximum for bullets – it’s been upped to 50. You’ll have a choice of one of five perks to increase your carrying capacities – one for each supply type that increases it a moderate amount (probably double), and one that increases them all by a small amount.

I’m still aiming for a July demo – working towards this has provided me with a goal that has helped crystalise the game’s direction. Expect the demo to have just one scenario (likely the tutorial one) and no high score uploading.

4e Power Toolkit: I’ve had plenty of requests for improvements recently, but I’m not sure if the current code can support these extensions. The program is reasonably modular, but only to the limits of the vanilla WotC power format. Various expansions, like the “Power” books and the new PHBs, have morphed the Power format into something that’s becoming harder to support with the current version of the 4ePT.

As such, I’m looking to recode large parts of the program to not only improve the interface (based mainly on user suggestions), but to increase the modularity of the Power format. Currently the 4ePT uses a tag replacement system to format the powers. It works well, but it’s grown harder to maintain as WotC’s powers has evolved. What the 4ePT needs is something component-based, but I’m still nutting out exactly how this would work. I’m also keen to add power “templates”, as the powers of a class often share sources, damage types and implements. Hopefully this will streamline the power creation process, especially for official classes.

I don’t have a timeline for this rewrite as my focus is on Zafehouse 2. I’m also keenly aware that WotC could release its own Power/Class Creator, much like it did for monsters. Obviously, if I hear news of an app like this, it’d effectively kill the 4ePT. Which equals more sad.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/april-update-zafehouse-2-4e-power-toolkit/feed/ 5 4e Power Toolkit v0.7.0 beta released, now with French and Italian translations http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-power-toolkit-v0-7-0-beta-released-now-with-french-and-italian-translations/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-power-toolkit-v0-7-0-beta-released-now-with-french-and-italian-translations http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-power-toolkit-v0-7-0-beta-released-now-with-french-and-italian-translations/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:51:01 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=835 All those French and Italian dungeon masters who were missing out on the awesomeness of the 4e Power Toolkit – never fear! You too can create your own class and powers with the latest version of the program.

Sorry to all the English-only speakers out there… v0.7.0b doesn’t contain a great deal for you. Here’s the changelog anyway – something might take your fancy:

* Added first implementation of localisation support – different languages can be chosen by selecting one of the relevant flag icons at the bottom of the main program window. It is highly experimental and it is not recommended to upgrade to version 0.7.0 unless you plan to beta test localised text. Localised text is stored in the Locale subdirectory (English.txt, French.txt, Italian.txt, etc). Text may not be perfect and some text may still be in English even when a different language is selected. Please contact logan@playwrite-blog.net regarding corrections

* Powers and classes created in one localisation are not compatible with other localisations

* Language data is now stored in power and class XML

* Powers and classes with custom data (power sources, effect types, etc) will now load correctly

* Updated PDFsharp to v1.31

Probably the big takeaway is that classes and powers are not compatible between different versions of the toolkit. I should also mention the Italian translation was made with Babelfish, so it’s no doubt a bit rubbish.

If there’s anyone out there who’d like to translate the program into their mother tongue, just dip into the Locale subfolder of the 4e Power Toolkit folder. You’ll find an English.txt file with the program’s English text. Use this as a starting point to create your own localisation file. Once you’re done, just email me at logan (at) playwrite-blog (dot) net with the file and the language it’s for, and I’ll include it in the next build.

Thanks to Xavier Hunault-Pérusse for the French translation.

Download the 4e Power Toolkit 0.7.0b

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-power-toolkit-v0-7-0-beta-released-now-with-french-and-italian-translations/feed/ 1 4e Custom Classes: The Umbramancer http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-custom-classes-the-umbramancer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-custom-classes-the-umbramancer http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-custom-classes-the-umbramancer/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:43:51 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=804 The 4e Custom Classes website is host to another interesting user-designed creation – the Umbramancer. While it’s influenced heavily by the Warlock, with a little Assassin flavour, author Maeglin has made it his own. He describes the shadowy death-dealer thusly:

Shadows and darkness – both are your tools, the incantations you have learned grant you all the powers of the Umbral Realm, all shadows are at your beck and call. Through years of study the realm of the dark has opened your eyes to the eternal bleak eternities and the reflection of all. Each time you cast a spell, you know that shadows are encouraging your words and that they wish to do your will. Your soul is forever held by the Arch Shades, whether the good or the malign.

And here’s an example of one of the powers:

Shade Dance
Umbramancer Utility 2
The clearing is suddenly filled with an amazing array of danacing shadows.
Daily * Shadow, Conjuration, Zone
Minor Action                 Area burst 2 within 10 squares
Target: Each Creature in the Zone,
Effect: You create and area of shadow performing an intricate dance. As a minor action you can move the shadows 5 squares. Any creature entering into the air gains concealment from all other creatures witin the area. Any creature outside the area cannot see any creature within the area. The area lasts until the end of your next turn.
Sustain Minor: The area persists.

You can check out the class in full here, or, if you’d like to make your own 4e classes and powers, download the 4e Power Toolkit.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-custom-classes-the-umbramancer/feed/ 8 Masterplan is like CrawlNotes, but better http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/masterplan-is-like-crawlnotes-but-better/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=masterplan-is-like-crawlnotes-but-better http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/masterplan-is-like-crawlnotes-but-better/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:08:31 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=740 And here I thought CrawlNotes was an awesome and original idea! Turns out it was so awesome, someone went and did it better. You could say it’s a bad idea to point out when you’ve been outdone, but how can it be a mistake to make sure people are using the best software available to plan their adventures?

Masterplan is the program you want. Along with an interactive flowchart to track your party’s progress, you can create and manage combat encounters, put together traps and skill challenges and best of all, build dungeons manually or automatically using graphical tiles. If it sounds so amazing it could blind pigeons, you’d be right.

If all you want to do is craft dungeons quickly, then go ahead and stick with CrawlNotes. But I think Masterplan would suit better if you plan on expanding your adventures – in any which way.

Masterplan [Habitual Indolence]

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/masterplan-is-like-crawlnotes-but-better/feed/ 5 Grab the 4e Power Toolkit v0.6.0, now includes power uploading http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/grab-the-4e-power-toolkit-v0-6-0-now-includes-power-uploading/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grab-the-4e-power-toolkit-v0-6-0-now-includes-power-uploading http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/grab-the-4e-power-toolkit-v0-6-0-now-includes-power-uploading/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:10:13 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=721 Create custom 4th Edition D&D powers and classes and upload them for the RPG community at large to use! The latest version of the 4e Power Toolkit allows you to do just that. It’s available, right now… so what are you waiting for?

v0.6.0 also removes the minimum size on the creator windows, allowing the program to be used on small screens, and I’ve fixed a problem that would prevent secondary and tertiary attacks from appearing on power cards. Otherwise, v0.6.0 is a lightweight update… but one you can’t do without!

You can download it from here, and all custom classes and powers can be seen at dnd.playwrite-blog.net.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/grab-the-4e-power-toolkit-v0-6-0-now-includes-power-uploading/feed/ 0 4e Custom Classes: The Gunslinger http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-custom-classes-the-gunslinger/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-custom-classes-the-gunslinger http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-custom-classes-the-gunslinger/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:40:33 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=671 A fellow by the name of Mr. Bagelman has uploaded the “Gunslinger”, an interesting ranged martial striker created using the 4e Power Toolkit. Here’s the official description, as well as one of the class’ powers:

Gunslingers are ranged fighters who wield alchemical implements called “guns” and “pistols” and “rifles” to hurl projectiles at their foes (although there are some who use one or two crossbows). Their weapons do great damage at long range as well as close-quarters, but come to a disadvantage when it comes time to reload, given their early and experimental nature. Some Gunslingers take the time to make alchemical bullets, with special abilities, such as fire or acid. Gunslingers prefer to slide around the battlefield, keeping their enemies at a distance.

Bullseye
Gunslinger Feature
Your target is as easy to hit as the broad side of a barn.
At-Will * Martial, Weapon
Minor Action                 Ranged sight
Prerequisite: Gunslinger class
Target: One Enemy
Effect: You designate one enemy you can see as your target.   Once per round, when you hit your target with an attack, the attack does extra damage based on your level (1d6 Heroic, 2d6 Paragon, 3d6 Epic). If you can make multiple attacks in a round, you can decide which attack to apply the extra damage to after all attacks are rolled.   If you have dealt Bullseye damage since the start of your turn, you cannot deal it again until the start of your next turn.
The Bullseye stays on your enemy until the end of the encounter, until the Target is defeated, or until you designate a different enemy as your Target.

I quite like the idea of a pistol-wielding alchemist type. If you do too, I recommend checking the class out in full.

The Gunslinger [4e Custom Classes]

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-custom-classes-the-gunslinger/feed/ 0 4e Custom Classes: The Transmuter http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-custom-classes-the-transmuter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-custom-classes-the-transmuter http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-custom-classes-the-transmuter/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:30:05 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=600 A new custom 4e class made with the 4e Power Toolkit was submitted today, and it’s packed full of tasty, much like a chocolate croissant or dinosaur kebab. Called the “Transmuter“, this class combines the versatility of the wizard’s utility powers with nifty polymorphing abilities. Here’s the class description:

There are many different styles of shapeshifting to be seen. One is the literal bodily alteration where the body physically changes, this is the path of which you chose. Your spells hamper your enemies and strengthen your allies. When pressed you shift form and stirke at your enemies with newly gained claws, and breath of fire. Ever changing and adapting, this is your magic, this is your life.

And a sample power, copy-and-pasted directly from the Power Toolkit:

Ettercap Webspinner Form
Transmuter Attack 5
You take the form a an ettercap webspinner, and in doing so gain its mastery over webs.
Daily * Arcane, Poison, Polymorph, Zone, Implement
Minor Action                 Personal
Effect: Until the end of the encounter, you take the form of a medium ettercap webspinner. You retain your statistics, hit points, and defenses, but you have a speed and climb of 5, and resist poison 10. You can use your arcane powers while in this form, and you gain the following melee basic bite attack, webbed terrain attack, and web walker ability.

Melee Basic Bite Attack: Standard action; reach 1; your
level + 7 vs. AC; 1d6 + Intelligence modifier damage, and you make a secondary attack against the same target; Secondary attack: Intelligence vs. Fortitude; ongoing 5 poison damage. Secondary attack is an implement attack.

Webbed Terrain: Standard action; area burst 2 within 10;
once per encounter; Intelligence vs. Reflex; the target is immobilized (save ends). The zone is filled with spider webs and is considered difficult terrain until the end of the encounter.

Web Walker: You ignore the movement effects of webs and difficult terrain related to spider swarms.

You can check out all the powers and details of the Transmuter at the 4e Custom Classes website.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-custom-classes-the-transmuter/feed/ 1 4e Power Toolkit: Four flavoursome updates http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-power-toolkit-four-flavoursome-updates/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-power-toolkit-four-flavoursome-updates http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-power-toolkit-four-flavoursome-updates/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:22:16 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=546 If you’re not a regular user of the 4e Power Toolkit, you might be unaware that there’s been four – yes, four – updates to the app since v0.5. I like to address minor bugs and even small features that can be implemented quickly, hence the rapid pace of releases.

Here’s a complete list of changes.

=v0.5.4 beta=
* The “Racial” option in the power type dropdown of the Power Creator now displays the correct output
* Default filenames will now be stripped of HTML tags

=v0.5.3 beta=
* At-Will, Encounter and Daily powers at levels 2, 6, 10, 16 and 22 are now grouped together as Utility powers when exported as HTML in the Class Creator
* The Power Creator will no longer obscure controls when resized
* Powers can once again have ranges without attack subtypes
* Added Beast as an attack subtype
* Racial powers now read as “Racial Power” instead of just “Racial”
* Added No Action as an action type

=v0.5.2 beta=
* Added Daggers, Tomes and Totems to possible implements
* Fixed a crash with PDF exporting

=v0.5.1 beta=
* Changed the width of powers to 3.25in (~298px) to match the size of the PHB format
* Class Creator export dialog now provides a default filename

Not groundbreaking stuff, but there might be a change or two in there that prompts you to take another look at the Toolkit.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-power-toolkit-four-flavoursome-updates/feed/ 0 4e Power Toolkit v0.5 Beta brings custom class uploading, commenting and voting http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-0-5-beta-brings-custom-class-uploading-commenting-and-voting/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-power-toolkit-0-5-beta-brings-custom-class-uploading-commenting-and-voting http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-0-5-beta-brings-custom-class-uploading-commenting-and-voting/#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:32:58 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=511 A searchable database of custom 4e classes made by people around the world? That’s what dnd.playwrite-blog.net aims to be – with your help!

Version v0.5 of the 4e Power Toolkit is the first step towards this objective. Along with a boatload of general improvements, including proper class feature support and feat powers, you can now upload your classes and allow people to comment and vote on your work.

A lot has been crammed into v0.5, so I’m expecting it to be a little rough around the edges. But I have spent the last week bug-testing, and I’m feeling confident.

Here’s a complete list of changes:

* Added class upload. Visit dnd.playwrite-blog.net for more details or try out the feature in the Class Creator

* Added class feature support

* 4EC and 4EP files can now be opened directly by double-clicking on them

* Increased the size of the class modifier dialog

* A few miscellaneous tweaks to various dialogs

* Cancelling a Save dialog for the Class and Power Creator will no longer save a file to the application directory

* “Feat” is now available as a power type

* Switched order of “Keywords” and “Action” modules in Power Creator

* Fixed issues with newlines not being correctly converted and displayed in HTML and XML

* Class Creator and Power Creator windows now resize their controls in a more useful fashion

* Added new version update window with changelog

* Corrected version typo in changelog

* Merged EXE and DLLs into single file with ILMerge

* Added DotNetZip v1.8 (dotnetzip.codeplex.com)

Check out the 4e Custom Classes website (it’s a little empty right now, but I’m sure that’ll change soon), and be sure to download v0.5!

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-0-5-beta-brings-custom-class-uploading-commenting-and-voting/feed/ 4 4e Power Toolkit v0.4.1 Beta released http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-power-toolkit-v0-4-1-beta-released/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-power-toolkit-v0-4-1-beta-released http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-power-toolkit-v0-4-1-beta-released/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:49:31 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=503 Don’t be put off by the point-one – there’s a couple of nice features in this incremental update of the 4e Power Toolkit:

* Added Expand/Hide, Edit, Delete and Save options to powers in the Class Creator
– You can now edit powers directly in the Class Creator, and save powers from a class to a separate file

* Version check module will now timeout, which should speed up program loading when the download server cannot be contacted

* Improved attack range and type options, now includes spirit. Note that selecting ‘None’ for attack range on certain powers will default to ’1′

* Powers can now have names up to 128 characters long, and the power HTML template will correctly display names of this length

* Added effect keywords from Player’s Handbook 2

Of course, v0.4.1 is available from apps page.

Right now I’m working on improving the resolution of the power card PDF output. Unfortunately, it looks like that while this can be achieved, you won’t be able to use custom templates for it – unless someone knows of a good and free HTML-to-PDF library (iTextSharp doesn’t cut it). Custom templates for power card HTML output won’t be affected.

If you’re willing to install PDFCreator, you can always just print the HTML output to PDF!

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/4e-power-toolkit-v0-4-1-beta-released/feed/ 0 4e Power Toolkit v0.4 Beta released http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-v04-beta-released/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-power-toolkit-v04-beta-released http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-v04-beta-released/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:10:57 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=498 Found a few hours to pour into the 4e Power Toolkit. After my brief tangle with integrating 4ePT powers into CrawlNotes, I decided to make the process easier. As a side effect, it’s also cake now to post powers into blogs and forums (where HTML is permitted).

A full list of improvements below:

* Added right-click menu to power preview window. Menu options will show windows for the original source, inline source and image preview. Both the source text and image can be copied from these windows.

* Added new power HTML export options:
– Embedded CSS, when the power will be displayed by itself on a single web page
– Inline CSS, for use in blog and forum posts and CrawlNotes

* Added new power image export options:
– BMP, provided for maximum compatibility with other applications
– PNG, for web use and reduce file size. Note PNG is a lossless format, and should be the one used most of the time

* Changelog window now uses Courier New font for improved readability

* Fixed an additional bug with the Class Creator window that would cause it to scroll when it shouldn’t

* Fixed some error checking quirks with Save/Load dialogs

No need to dilly-dally now! Pick v0.4 up over at the apps page.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-v04-beta-released/feed/ 1 Putting powers into your CrawlNotes printouts http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/putting-powers-into-your-crawlnotes-printouts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=putting-powers-into-your-crawlnotes-printouts http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/putting-powers-into-your-crawlnotes-printouts/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:09:13 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=483 Update: No need to go to all this trouble! The process has been streamlined from version 0.4 Beta of the Power Toolkit.

A handy feature I’d like to build into the Power Toolkit and CrawlNotes. Until I find the time, here’s how you can do it manually:

1) Load your power into the Power Toolkit, and export it to HTML.

2) Open the HTML file in Notepad and look for a line starting with <style type="text/css">. Copy this line, and all the lines below it until you hit </style>. Alternatively, copy the below text:

 <style type="text/css">
    .InternalPowerContainer {
    text-align: center;
    width: 375px;
    margin-left: -10px;
    margin-right: -10px;
    margin-top: -16px;
    }

    .PowerContainer {
    text-align: center;
    width: 375px;
    }

    .PowerHeader {
    height: 18px;
    text-align: left;
    padding-right: 4px;
    padding-left: 6px;
    color: #FFFFFF;
    }

    .At-Will {
    background-color: #669966;
    }

    .Encounter {
    background-color: #993333;
    }

    .Daily {
    background-color: #404040;
    }

    .PowerHeaderLeft {
    padding-top: 1px;
    font: bold 10pt Verdana;
    float: left;
    }

    .PowerHeaderRight {
    padding-top: 4px;
    font: 7pt Verdana;
    float: right;
    }

    .PowerText {
    color: #000000;
    text-align: left;
    padding-top: 2px;
    padding-left: 6px;
    padding-right: 4px;
    padding-bottom: 2px;
    background-color: #FFFFFF;
    font: bold 7pt Verdana;
    }

    .Flavour {
    background-color: #E6E3C9;
    font: italic 8pt Times New Roman;
    }

    .Alternate {
    background-color: #E6E3C9;
    }

    .AlternateNonPrimary {
    background-color: #E6E3C9;
    padding-left: 14px;
    }

    .NonPrimary {
    padding-left: 14px;
    }

3) Open “main.html” (found in the CrawlNotes directory) in Notepad. Paste the text you just copied just below the line that starts with <title>. Make sure the entire pasted region ends just before the line that starts with </head>.

4) Go back to the HTML of your power. Copy everything below </head> (but not the tag itself).

5) Remove the whitespace from the text you copied using this website. Copy the cleaned text.

6) Paste the text into any of the room description boxes in CrawlNotes. When you export as HTML, your power will appear correctly formatted on the page.

There’s no reason why CrawlNotes and the Power Toolkit shouldn’t have better synergy. Something else on the giant list of things to code. :P

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/putting-powers-into-your-crawlnotes-printouts/feed/ 1 The 4e Power Toolkit in action: The Necromancer http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/the-4e-power-toolkit-in-action-the-necromancer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-4e-power-toolkit-in-action-the-necromancer http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/the-4e-power-toolkit-in-action-the-necromancer/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 06:39:50 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=477 Matt, a user of the 4e Power Toolkit, was kind (and brave) enough to send through a link to his take on the Necromancer class. The output was created entirely within the app (with some tweaking of the class description).

Thanks Matt for showing just what can be accomplished with the program. I desperately want to get the Upload feature of the Toolkit working so there’s a central repository of user-created classes and powers, but I need to do some work on the backend. My knowledge of PHP is a little, well, disappointing, so it’s taking time.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/the-4e-power-toolkit-in-action-the-necromancer/feed/ 4 4e Power Toolkit v0.3 Beta released http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-v03-beta-released/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-power-toolkit-v03-beta-released http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-v03-beta-released/#comments Fri, 08 May 2009 17:27:05 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=472 This is one of a few incremental updates to the 4e Power Toolkit – rather than release a massive update after a long delay, I’ll just get the juicy bits in and push out new versions quickly. Mind you, this is the grand plan. It might be a little less grand in practice.

Anyway, here’s a list of changes:

* Added class modifiers to Hit, Effect, Miss and Sustain boxes. A class modifier can be used to include modifiers to powers based on classes, feats and other factors

* Fixed a bug with the Class Creator window that would cause the scroll position of the left hand window to constantly reset while a power was being dragged

* Added Melee 2, Melee 3 and Melee 4 to possible ranges

* Added scroll bars to a number of text boxes

I know it’s not huge… I’m working on it as I can.

If you’d like to grab the latest version, just head over to the apps page. Again, thanks to everyone who has made suggestions and reported bugs!

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-v03-beta-released/feed/ 2 Getting the 4e Power Toolkit PHB2 compatible http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/getting-the-4e-power-toolkit-phb2-compatible/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=getting-the-4e-power-toolkit-phb2-compatible http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/getting-the-4e-power-toolkit-phb2-compatible/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:58:02 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=462 I’m going to get back in touch with the 4e Power Toolkit very soon, and my priority will be getting it compatible with the changes to powers in the Player’s Handbook 2 (aftereffects, melee 1, 2, etc). To a lesser degree, I’ll address as many bugs as I can, and then review what features still need to be implemented.

Thanks to everyone for putting up with the delay, as well as those who have provided feedback thus far.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/getting-the-4e-power-toolkit-phb2-compatible/feed/ 0 CrawlNotes 2.2 beta released http://www.theplaywrite.com/4edd/crawlnotes-22-beta-released/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=crawlnotes-22-beta-released http://www.theplaywrite.com/4edd/crawlnotes-22-beta-released/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:39:51 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=460 Updated CrawlNotes to 2.2 about a week ago. Those who are regular users would have seen the upgrade message and (hopefully) already have the new version. Otherwise, you can grab it from the apps page.

2.2 fixes a data corruption bug with deleting adding rooms and switching levels. That’s it!

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/4edd/crawlnotes-22-beta-released/feed/ 0 4e Power Toolkit v0.2 Beta released http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-v02-beta-released/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4e-power-toolkit-v02-beta-released http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-v02-beta-released/#comments Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:40:43 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=447 Just over a week since the 4e Power Toolkit was released and close to 1150 people have checked it out already! I’d hate to leave them hanging for an update.

So, I won’t.

Here are the changes you’ll find in v0.2 Beta of the Toolkit:

* Fixed bug with Power Creator that would cause the “Attack type” combo box to fill forever

* Power names may now be 36 characters, up from 30

* Hit, Miss and Effect text now correctly formats carriage returns and multiple spaces

* The Auto-detect target function now uses “creature” and “creatures” instead of “enemy” and “enemies”

* A power card template based on the power layouts in the PHB is available under “Templates\Power cards”

* HTML exported via the Class Creator will no longer add titles for levels or frequencies that have no powers

* Added “Melee or Ranged” option to attack types

* Added NYI text to power card HTML export

* Fixed a typo in the “Classes” help tab

* Added changelog to Help window

Thanks to everyone who’s provided feedback and bug reports so far, every bit of help is appreciated! I’ll look to add the Upload feature next version so everyone can start checking out the awesome classes and powers being cooked up out there!

To grab the latest version, head over to the Downloads section.

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]]> http://www.theplaywrite.com/tools-and-utilities/4e-power-toolkit-v02-beta-released/feed/ 0 Introducing the 4e Power Toolkit: Create your own classes, races, powers and power cards http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/introducing-the-4e-power-toolkit-create-your-own-classes-races-powers-and-power-cards/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=introducing-the-4e-power-toolkit-create-your-own-classes-races-powers-and-power-cards http://www.theplaywrite.com/dungeons-and-dragons/introducing-the-4e-power-toolkit-create-your-own-classes-races-powers-and-power-cards/#comments Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:47:05 +0000 Logan http://www.playwrite-blog.net/?p=429 Forget Word. Forget Excel. Forget the mash of programs you’ve been using to roll your own powers and classes. Now you have a tool that does it all.

First, there’s the Power Creator. This lets you make powers just like the 4e Power Creator before it. Except this has support for Secondary and Tertiary attacks as well as Sustain and more. You can even add your own power sources and keywords using text files.

With a few powers created, you can load them into the Class Creator. Play around with primary stats, proficiencies and other details, and then export it all as a pretty document, presented much like the PHB. HTML is the only option right now, but PDF and text formats are not far away.

Finally, there’s the Power Card Creator. Export your powers as power cards using the template you want. Templates are made in HTML, so they can include images, CSS… whatever you want. There are two included with the program – one optimised for HTML and the other PDF. And yes, you can export the cards to PDF and it’ll format them all nice-like.

So, where can you find these awesome tools? Why, they’re all included in the one program – the 4e Power Toolkit!

It’s beta, so if it crashes or something doesn’t work, don’t get angry. Actually, if the program does chuck a hissy fit, please post about it on the 4e Power Toolkit forum so I can fix it.

The program features an auto-update function, so you’ll always know when a new version is available. For now, get the latest build from the link below. You’ll need Windows XP or Vista and the .NET 2.0 Framework. I apologise for not having a Linux or Mac version – it’s beyond my abilities to even entertain the idea of supporting other platforms.

If you like the toolkit, be sure to have a play with the other 4e apps I’ve put together:
CrawlNotes: A dungeon-planning tool for all occasions
TrackWork: The no-frills initiative tracker

Download the 4e Power Toolkit

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