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[Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:37 am
by heathan666
Ok this is a pretty basic set up. It is more DM friendly then anything, and I just wanted to post it to see if people liked it (mainly due to the hundreds of monsters I have tokened).
Oh and yes I will eventually update the Campaign Macros to include "blank" macros where all you have to do is fill in a few things here and there.
BTW there are 2 property sets. The first one you can fill in all the stuff that's needed and then click ok, open it back up and switch to the 2nd properties and it should fill everything in.

EDIT: I'm reposting just the campaign file as it has everything on it. This is the updated one and doesn't have any problems that I could see. It also includes the "blank" macros.

Remember the process for filling out the token is simple.

Open the token and fill out the properties list.
Close the token.
Open the token and switch to the Properties 2 list.

Eventually i'll create a macro button to fill out the token.

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:46 am
by heathan666
Ok here are the monsters by level. All monsters are Pre-Monster Manual 2.
Also every monster token has a stat card that I've created, and you can use in-game. This helps out the DM alot, what you do is select the token and hit the macro labeled "Handout" this creates a dockable window with a Monster Manual style card.
Anyways hope you all enjoy and I'd love some feedback.
I have all the Monster Manual monsters to level 10 done and all level 1 monsters done.
Level 1 Monsters
Level 2 Monsters
Level 3 Monsters
Level 4 Monsters
Level 5 Monsters
Level 6 Monsters
Level 7 Monsters
Level 8 Monsters
Level 9 Monsters
Level 10 Monsters

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 7:32 am
by Akodo Makama
Try 1

Code: Select all

Loaded campaign file supplied

Dragged token extracted from zip file

Moved mouse over token to select and inspect the properties sheet

Started getting a series of windows labeled "Input value for <tokenname>.<##>" that kept stacking until I clicked the mouse elsewhere on the screen.

MapTool hung and needed to be forced to quit.
Try 2

Code: Select all

Loaded campaign file supplied

Dragged known good image to create new token

Moved mouse over token to select and inspect the properties sheet

Select token and opened property sheet, was defaulted to 'basic' proprerties

Changed to 'basic2 properties

Inspected properties

Closed property window

Started getting a series of windows labeled "Input value for <tokenname>.<##>" that kept stacking until I clicked the mouse elsewhere on the screen.

MapTool hung and needed to be forced to quit.
Try 3

Code: Select all

Used default campaign

Altered campaign properties to view all properties listed in stat sheet

Dragged token extracted from zip file

Moved mouse over token

Viewed stat sheet properly
I think you've got an infinite loop there somewhere. I'm checking the campaign properties manually now

Maptool 1.3.b56
SUSE Linux 11
Sun Java 1.6.0

Update:
It's the AC/Fort/Ref/Will display property that causes problems when it tries to display the statsheet. Removing that from the statsheet fixes the problem.

Update 2:
The AC/Fort/Ref/Will display property is as follows:

*@AC/Fort/Ref/Will:{AC}/{Fort}/{Ref}/{Will}

But Fort, Ref and Will are not defined properties. Rather, thery are the display names assigned to Fortitude, Reflex and Willpower. But those properties are never displayed, so having a display name is redundant

Changing the property to:

*@AC/Fort/Ref/Will:{AC}/{Fortitude}/{Reflex}/{Willpower}
and removing all superfluous display names from non-displayed properties fixes the problem.

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 8:00 am
by Akodo Makama
Fixed Campaign File:

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 2:42 pm
by heathan666
Sorry about that, I've been out of town for a week just got back a day & 1/2 ago.
Ya it seems one of my players had a problem with this as well, but it worked fine on my computer during our game when i was using the same property sheet.
Not sure maybe I made a change somewhere went back fixxed it and didn't realize it.
However when making a new token this is what you do:
  1. What you are supposed to do with the token, it have it on the Basic Properties 1.
  2. Fill everything out.
  3. Close it.
  4. Then open it back up to property list 2.
It should then fill everything out except maybe skill points. Other then that how did it work for you???

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 4:19 pm
by Akodo Makama
heathan666 wrote:Other then that how did it work for you???
It was 5:00 AM when I finally got the bug fixed, so i went to bed. Haven't looked at it much since. What I have seen looks good. So far, it actually looks like more than what I was looking for, if you can imagine that. I was starting to roll my own, saw this 'simple' framework, and took a look to see if someone already invented my wheel. Then I saw a bug, and OCD took over...

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 8:36 pm
by heathan666
ya I'm not sure what i had changed I thought I fixxed it but I guess I'll have to check it out.
I got MM2 and plan on doing all the level 1 monsters in there. I'll update the files because I also have some "blank" macros that basically lets you do alot of the macros you just have to fill some of the stuff.

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:52 pm
by heathan666
ok I updated the campaign file and deleted the old stuff. Also I posted all the monsters I have which is basically all the monsters 1-10 from the Monster Manual. Anyways hope to hear some more feed back soon.

heathan666's Framework

Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:21 am
by Akodo Makama
Your framework is more than I want, so I've started making my own.

Personally, all I really want is a 'GM Scratchpad'. Something to keep track of HP, Surges, Action points, and all those little constantly changing things that still need to be remembered; as well as movement, defenses, and other things that are needed every round of combat. I trust my players to track information like HP, but having a second tally is always useful (players can be forgetful at times). I play with the books right next to me, so I don't need to have a macro that does all the work of rolling a power for me, as it's quick enough to look it up. Indeed, I like being able to look at all the powers as a whole when deciding which to use, not just the name and range of each. Then I can decide how to describe the results to the players as i choose (The goblin makes a glancing blow with his spear that leaves a nasty bruise (take 4 damage)).

So my 'framework' will be designed to solve a different set of problems. That said, your framework has potential, and I like to see potential grow.

There are a couple issues I have, the first being with 'style' of coding. You've included a lot of 'calculation stuff' into the token properties (ie, the skills). But you never use those properties anywhere *as properties*. It would probably make things easier to understand if you could move those calculations to the single place they're used: the skill roll macro. That way, you wouldn't end up with nearly as many properties dependent on other properties, which is part of what caused the bug I originally fixed. If you do intend to use those properties in multiple places, then it can actually be simpler to do as you have already done. It's a matter of choice.

The second is a bigger problem, as it is a legal one. Arguably, the collection of statistics and powers known as a monster *could* be considered a piece os creative work, protected by copyright law. Copying (even manually) all of the information and presenting it (even in an altered form) *could* be in violation of international law, or the WoTC GSL. Presenting *some* of it is less likely to be in violation. A simple guideline is: could someone use this token to play a WoTC monster that they don't own the book for? It's a grey area, so it may be acceptable, but something to consider.

However, you've also included images exactly replicating the information and formatting of the Monster Manual. That's a clear violation of international copyright law and the current license used by WoTC for 4e. You really should remove those.

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:44 am
by heathan666
Well for me this works very well, I've been using it for my game and stuff. The reason the skill property is on the sheet rather then the macro, is this way the players and adjust the bonuses easier. Although I could technically make the "Skill" prop a string macro but then it messes up a few other things on the property list. Also I'd have to create a brand new macro for every monster I've made and that's just not gonna happen.
I'm not tryin' to sound like a douche bag or anything but it takes alot of time to code all this stuff, and you can't make everyone happy. But trust me if you compare this to some of the other property files it is pretty basic.
As for the copyright stuff, look if WotC wants me to take it down I will, until then I'm not gonna bother with it. There are plenty of images and tokens of their stuff on here, and infact most of the images for tokens I got, from here.

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:57 pm
by vizier
I was with you Akodo until you told him to remove the token pics. Thats rediculous hes not charging anyone for this nor profiting from it in any way. In fact hes adding to the DnD product value as a whole with his work, wotc should be PAYING guys like him!

Anyways thanks for this. Its a huge resource and I will use it a lot. I love how modular this frame work is. I was able to copy and paste it right into my existing framework and instantly have access to all monsters up to level 10!

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:09 pm
by Rumble
vizier wrote:I was with you Akodo until you told him to remove the token pics. Thats rediculous hes not charging anyone for this nor profiting from it in any way. In fact hes adding to the DnD product value as a whole with his work, wotc should be PAYING guys like him!
Akodo's suggestion is simply taking a strict compliance approach to copyright. I did the same with my framework, removing Wizards of the Coast images and powers from the one I distribute.

Whether heathan666 intends to profit from it in any way is entirely irrelevant to whether such use violates copyrights of any third party; the only thing profit/non-profit motive affects is how much damages are generally assessed in the (extremely unlikely) case of a lawsuit.

WotC is very unlikely to do anything about it. They don't have to; with copyright, you can pick and choose what to pursue and heathan666 is - like all of us - pretty small fish. But the mere presence of those images means that WotC can request that heathan666 remove them or stop distributing the framework, and if he doesn't, then he faces potential further action.

Again - highly unlikely that anything bad will happen. But whether he profits from it makes no difference until after the lawsuits.

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:27 pm
by heathan666
well normally in copyright cases where this would be implied, I'd be givin a warning to take it down and cease passing stuff out, before anything. Technically if they went after me there'd be alot more people then just myself worried about this. I mean technically maptools as a whole could get hemmed up, for havin' the Dungeon's and Dragons forum up here and setting up frameworks based on the system. I mean basically anything to do with Dungeons and Dragons and playing the game with each other online in someway could be considered a violation of copyright.
Don't believe me ask Palladium Books about the game Nightspawn.

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:16 pm
by Rumble
I believe you. My guess is that the very most that could happen (and it's a small likelihood) is that you'd get a C&D letter and, I assume, you'd stop. I was simply saying that Akodo's comments were not "ridiculous," but entirely accurate. I don't think it will be a problem; but it could be.

Re: [Framework] 4th Edition D&D

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:35 pm
by zEal
heathan666 wrote:well normally in copyright cases where this would be implied, I'd be givin a warning to take it down and cease passing stuff out, before anything. Technically if they went after me there'd be alot more people then just myself worried about this. I mean technically maptools as a whole could get hemmed up, for havin' the Dungeon's and Dragons forum up here and setting up frameworks based on the system. I mean basically anything to do with Dungeons and Dragons and playing the game with each other online in someway could be considered a violation of copyright.
Don't believe me ask Palladium Books about the game Nightspawn.
Just to be clear, the RPTools Team does not create nor specifically endorse any campaign frameworks available on these forums. Beyond that, the use of the trademark "Dungeons & Dragons" completely falls under fair use in respect to these forums. So, while you're not alone in the possible violations that users have committed, please don't make a claim that "maptools<sic> as a whole" is committing copyright infringement.

With that in mind, Wizards is aware of MapTool (it did appear on their survey about VTTs after all), so if they had issue with anything on here, I imagine the creator of whatever they have a problem with would have had Wizards contact them about it.