|
Post by Pope Mega Force on Mar 26, 2007 18:38:56 GMT -5
This may have been answered, I'm not sure, but are you making a system in which you can convert what you do on the character builder onto something that can easily be sent to GM's instead of having to convert all the information from the builder onto a word document? If that's not already in effect and hasn't been discussed, then might I make a suggestion?
|
|
|
Post by kxjubilee on Mar 27, 2007 1:58:04 GMT -5
I defenintly second that suggestion. I find that the more I use this for fun test characters I make more actual characters that I use with this. On the note of space and Items, you might want to add the Personal info; like height, hair color, Notes and back ground on to a tab of it's own, and have items on a tab of it's own. I feel that splitting it up this way would make the program have more room and if I wasn't going to use items I wouldn't have to see it. Also sometimes having the personal info isn't important when just playing around with a build.
|
|
|
Post by Stain on Mar 27, 2007 9:25:56 GMT -5
PopeMan, yes you may kxjubilee, that's a good suggestion. I originally had thought to make the main form look similar to a CAD, but that's probably not necessary; and you make a good point. Look for that in a later release.
|
|
|
Post by Kaimontfendo on Mar 27, 2007 11:49:36 GMT -5
In regards to the idea of a tab for background description and equipment, I would like to suggest making a spot there for challenges as well, instead of making it a popup box. However, since I already forget to give my characters challenges often enough, perhaps hiding it on a separate tab isn't the best of ideas.
Still, I like the idea of putting background and equipment on a tab. But I'm not sure I'd like Height, Weight, and all that on a different tab. It makes them too forgettable, which isn't exactly good. I don't want to forget to give my character a name. And those other details are helpful in describing characters. I dunno about you, but I can ignore those boxes when I'm just tinkering around.
Speaking of tinkering, I once edited the database to include an action costing AN + 200, and gave it to a character at AN 20. The result was a cost over 1000 stones for the one action. That's how huge the program lets things get, and that's good.
|
|
|
Post by kxjubilee on Mar 28, 2007 1:02:03 GMT -5
The reason I suggested that physical descriptors being a tab with the Background and notes is that they all fit together and would save room for the main stuff. I really see that information as being expendable for characters, even more so with the program not being able to print out to notepad, wordpad, word(MS or open office), or even html. Though since that is currently on the top it would make a good first tab, then to Abilities, Power Armor, Transformation Forms, Actions, Modifiers, and Challenges, then to the gear you pay stones for and possibly gear you buy with wealth. You can even move Challenges to where gear is now so you remember to do that since every character needs at least one 1 stone challenge.
|
|
|
Post by thedragonmaster on Mar 29, 2007 18:04:49 GMT -5
There's a change I made to my database that I have found to be quite helpful, though I don't know if it is one that you'd want to add into the official version. I added "Magic - " in front of the names of the actions that require Mastery of Magic (much like having "PA - " in front of the Powered Armor abilities).
I have been using it to create the NPC's for my upcoming MiB (Marvel in Black) game and it has been just fantastic.
|
|
|
Post by Kaimontfendo on Apr 2, 2007 18:54:45 GMT -5
Kxjubilee, I think you're carried away with the idea of tabs. The Character Generator could use some tweaking, but such a major overhaul of the user interface isn't worthwhile. The interface is already excellent. It just takes some getting used to.
As a side note, an idea just popped into my head for an interface with collapsible sections. If you're not picking any equipment or modifiers, you could leave those sections collapsed, saving space for actions. Going further with this idea, each action could have a collapsible subsection for specialties and options. I have absolutely no idea how difficult it would be to program, but it would be cool. Still, the interface is excellent.
I'd also like to bring up an incident that occurred when attempting to save a character. I got the following error message: What's the deal with that? If it helps any, I think the character had alternate forms.
|
|
|
Post by thedragonmaster on Apr 2, 2007 19:35:58 GMT -5
Here's a problem that came up for me while transferring from one system to another. I tried to open some characters made on one computer with the program on a second computer (same db, same install) and it gave me the error "cannot reduce cost by more than half" or something along those lines. The interface got a little screwy at that point. The modifiers all were gone (instead of the lines designating where a modifier would be located it was a white block. I had the same problem in the Actions, but when I went to edit them I had to be careful about what errors I clicked through, though I was able to readjust everything (other than the very first action in the list) to make them work (had to remove all dis/advantages and reenter). Never did get the first Action fixed, and never could get the modifier section working on those. Reinstalled the program, tried again, redownloaded the program, reinstalled, tried again, never got it working so I just remade the characters. Haven't had any problems since, but thought it worth mentioning.
|
|
|
Post by kyle on Apr 3, 2007 14:03:28 GMT -5
When I tried it it wouldn't allow steal super power.
|
|
|
Post by swsquall on Apr 3, 2007 19:37:08 GMT -5
I got that too. It's saying something about trying to convert a string to a integer. Also got a Value 0 invalid.
|
|
|
Post by Kaimontfendo on Apr 3, 2007 20:30:21 GMT -5
I seem to recall that Steal Superpower doesn't work because it's a fixed-cost action, and some glitch causes those not to work properly. I'm also pretty sure Stain's working on it, if he hasn't found a solution already.
There's only one good solution I can think of for now, and that's to edit the database to include Steal Superpower as a modifier, which is a bit of work, and not technically correct.
But hey, it's only one action out of how many?
|
|
|
Post by Stain on Apr 4, 2007 13:56:50 GMT -5
Wow, I take a day off and everybody has something to say! Good discussion...good points! Kaimontfendo, I like your suggestion with the collapsable regions and I've thought of that myself. If anything, it would be easier on the eyes. However, as far as adding in the options to the list, it would be nearly impossible with the listbox control that I'm using. If I had used a datagrid control instead, I might have been able to make it work but at this point it's a lot more work than what it's worth. I'm curious as to your file saving error, as that looks like a bug I may have overlooked. When it saves a character, it actually deletes the old file and recreates it (most programs do this). There may be something going on there. If you can recreate the error it would be very helpful. Thanks! thedragonmaster, I like your idea with renaming some of the magic actions so that they're grouped together. I may do that with this next release. I'm not sure why it would tell you it can't reduce by half-cost if you're using the latest release (1.0.12.0). In that version, the reduction rule is passively enforced. In fact, that particular dialogue message doesn't exist anymore. Make sure that you are installing version 1.0.12.0. Yes, the fixed-Action bug is deadly is stupid. It only took one word in the code to fix. It was an oversight on my part. It's fixed for the next release, which looks to be the beginning of May sometime. Kaimontfendo's fix would work, but a better one would be to change Steal Superpower to a leveled-Action with a cost of 0 and add a fixed Advantage that makes up the cost.
|
|
|
Post by thedragonmaster on Apr 4, 2007 15:06:48 GMT -5
It is possible that it had to do with the old release, I haven't received the error message since the last download. However, my old files are still giving me problems. Fortunately those were mostly just generic idea's that I'd had the good sense to write the jist of down first. Haven't had any such problem turn up with my more recently created NPC's even when switching between systems.
|
|
|
Post by Stain on Apr 5, 2007 10:01:30 GMT -5
thedragonmaster, can you describe exactly in detail the problems you are having with your old files? It would be helpful to know what sorts of actions or abilities your character is using (e.g. modifiers, alternate forms, etc.). It would also be helpful to know exactly what you're doing when the errors occur. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by thedragonmaster on Apr 5, 2007 11:32:39 GMT -5
I've already deleted the old files at this point, but I'll provide you with as much information as I can. The problem starts as soon as I load up the file. If I start a new file with that one open, the new file is fine, but the old file doesn't work. Same thing if I start with a new file and then open the old file. As for what actions they are using... They didn't have any alternate forms or PA's. Mostly it was just basic things. Flight, Toughness, Pheremones, Telekinesis, Create Illusions, Technology, Inventing, Claws, Sonar Sense, Healing - Mutant/Magical, Healing Factor (regular).
...
One thing that has occurred to me. I downloaded the installer to each computer. I don't recall exactly when that was, but it is possible that they had different versions of your program. I know that I had backed up the db to my flash drive and used it to keep the two programs up to date (so that I would have the same options from one system to the other). Would that have caused a problem (running a db created in the old system on the new or vice versa)?
|
|