RPTools.net

New tutorial.

Images Introduction. I know this one has to be shot again because I positioned the images too low on the screen and when I called up the right click menu, part of it was cut off. So, aside from that any feedback? Any incorrect information. Any suggestions on organization or delivery? Any content that you think needs to be added or can wait. Keep in mind that this is just the Basic series introduction to images.

Thanks.

Tutorials

This is a really good tutorial. The content covers a lot of good details that will help new people get up to speed quickly.

If you can, you might disable the mouse click and keystroke sounds, they are very distracting.

One thing I would add would be adding a portrait image to the treehouse so that when you click on it, it shows the portrait view of the treehouse along with the note description, which I think has fantastic visual appeal.

This is a great into to layers, you might add in the description or title that it includes them and not just limited to images.

Or maybe title it Tokens and Stamps instead of Images.

Brad, you should really submit the link to this page to RolePlayingTips.com. Johnn, is always looking for stuff like this and I think it would go a long way toward spreading the glory that is MapTool to a lot of gaming groups that are out there.

If you don't want to set up an account, or whatever, I'll be happy to submit it for you.

We'd also like to put a link to the page directly on our web site if that's OK

I have never been to the website, but if it will help spread the glory I will submit the link. Though do you think I should wait until I have the Basic series done or at least further along? Right now, for totally new to Maptool people, there isn't much covered and the videos that are there do need to be polished up a bit yet.

Sure Trevor. You can link to where ever you like. You can basically think of these videos as the property of RPTools.net. Do with the videos and webpage what you will. And I never even use a fraction of my monthly bandwidth limit, so that's not an issue.

Has anyone besides heruca tried viewing the tutorials with a mac. He had problems with the audio.

That's probably a good idea. Once you have it to an acceptable level you should definitely submit it.

And while you're there you should look around. There are some good bits for GMs on that site. Unfortunately it tends to be focused more on fantasy and D&D than other genres and systems.

I've only opened MapTool about twice. I'll have a look at them.

I'll check them out on my MacBook Pro tonight and post back here...

The 3rd and 4th one are the best because you have more happening on the screen. They have an immediate relevance in terms of "what does the program do?" I'd suggest for the first video you have an actual campaign loaded or loading and actual maps, perhaps small. Or else change the order and have it third. The second video should come 4th or later because its hard to understand what the options are unless you've already seen the concepts you have to talk about. For example the option on naming monsters may be hard to understand until you've placed some monsters which hasn't happened yet in the first 3 videos.

The presentation is very good. It's a clear voice and the speed is good and snappy. Sometimes you think "Wait - what was that?" but you can just rewind. Very good overall. I think better than the kloogewerks videos in fact which tend to drag a little in places.

http://www.kloogeinc.com/tutorials.html

Thanks for the feedback DavidByron! It is good to hear the take from a Maptool newcomer. I think you are right on my lack of visual stimulation. On those first couple tutorials I was taking the attitude of it just being real simple information and I was just making sure it was covered. But for new users those first couple videos are also going to be their sales pitch, so to speak. Adding an extra 30 seconds or a minute of me calling up an actual, cool looking, campaign file to show what the numbering tokens look like or what snap to grid actually does will be much more engaging.

So, I think I am going to take a week or two off of shooting videos and come up with a nice sample campaign file that has maybe 3 maps in it. To use for example maps. I still think for the first video that introduces images and the first video that introduces the drawing tools I will start out with a blank map, just to keep things simple. But, for most of the other videos, having a couple, nice looking, premade sample maps will make things work better.

That is unless someone on the RPTools.net team has a good looking campaign file with a couple or a few maps in it, that they would like to have reoccurring in my tutorials as an example of what can be done with Maptool. My maps look ok, but I am no designer. I know from viewing his work that Dorpond's maps are much more eye catching then mine tend to be. If you have something you would like me to use send it to me. Otherwise I will see you in a week or two.

The steep learning curve is certainly just about the worst thing facing a new comer to the openrpg software. It wasn't that long ago I was in the position of looking over about half a dozen different tools (strictly speaking by then we'd already gone with openrpg so really it was when my DM did the comparison). I figure a good proportion of the users of these tools are in IT or are actual programmers in their own right (as I am and as my DM used to be) but one of the differences between the free tools and the pay for ones is more glitz right out of the box.

openrpg has monster 'character' sheet load up for you as part of the fresh install (a Behir) and two example encounters available through the menu. What it doesn't have and would be nice is a PC character sheet and a map with tokens on it. But the Behir is right there loaded as soon as you open the software the first time and a monster sheet is conceptually similar to a PC sheet just less of it.

New tutorial. Sorry this one took so long. Don't expect my 1 to 2 a week schedule until after the New Year. I forgot how many little project and trips pop up this time of year.

Reworked tutorial.

First-

Changes.

- Screenshot is .png format, not jpeg.
- Start with only Default folder in Image Explorer, then add folders.
- Use an example map to show what a campaign file is, what I mean by interactive, and the list of maps.


Feedback please. Did I get any information wrong? Any opinions on delivery or content? And so on. Keep in mind this is supposed to be the first video a complete MapTool novice would see.

Note. I had to empty my cache to see the new video.