The idea was spawned by this thread here:
http://forums.rptools.net/viewtopic.php ... 18&start=0
Basically, what this tool would do is allow a person (or another program) to generate text files that would then be built up to a proper RPTOK file (or multiple files) usable in MT. This would give people who write various NPC/PC generators for other systems a way to create MT usuable output without having to actually know anything about the RPTOK format, as well as allow the rapid creation of multiple RPTOK files at one time.
The initial basic tool would do nothing more than parse a text list of properties/values and write them out to a basic rptok file usable in MT:
A text file would look like this:
Code: Select all
Strength, 18
Dexterity, 15
Constitution, 13
Intelligence, 12
Wisdom, 17
Charisma, 3
*Lvl, 12
*Class, Fighter,
@HP, 72
Code: Select all
Weapon Skill (WS), 43
Ballistic Skill (BS), 33
Strength (S), 31
Toughness (T), 32
etc
In order to allow batch processing of files and create multiple tokens at one time, there will probably need to be some simple commands that can be embedded within the text file - like NewToken to tell the tool to save one token, and start on the next.
Later versions of the tool should expand upon the initial capabilities, for instance, adding the ability to set the various fields of the token, like Name, GM Name, Label, Notes, GM Notes, Token and portrait images, etc.
The idea behind this tool isn't really that it's useful during game play, but that it's useful for GMs to quickly build libraries of statted NPCs and Monsters to use in MT, regardless of the character generator/stat source they use, and/or the game they play, the MT framework they use, and/or their programming knowledge - basically, if they can get their NPCs/Monsters into the text file import format of this tool then they can rapidly create the tokens they need.
They fire up this TBT, set their standard options (like how to name the tokens, framework name to set, save directory, image directory, etc), point it towards an import file, and click "generate". By basing it on a simple text file, it is a neutral tool - it doesn't rely on specific character/monster generators supporting MT in any way, it doesn't rely on specific MT frameworks, it doesn't care what the game system is. Anyone who can build a text file in the format they want can use it to generate tokens specific to the way they want to use them in MT.