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  1. #1

    Utility - Character Importer

    Updated on August 7, 2012.

    Cody, our wonderful intern, has been busy cranking away on the import utility.

    In addition to the items reported so far, he has added support for importing Pathfinder and 3.5E characters from Hero Lab into 3.5E campaigns, as well as PCGen output sheets whose output can be imported using the tool.

    If you have Hero Lab, please let us know and give it a try.

    The latest version of the character converter can be used from the FG Start Menu group. There will either be a dedicated link for the converter (newer installs) or you can find it in the Application Data Folder link under the Utilities subfolder (older installs).


    Cheers,
    JPG
    Last edited by Moon Wizard; August 7th, 2012 at 23:43.

  2. #2
    Here are the list of known limitations/issues.

    4E - Wizards Character Builder
    • Attack and damage bonuses to specific powers not available (Dirty Fighting, Burning Blizzard, etc.)


    Pathfinder - Hero Lab
    • Initiative breakdown
    • Speed breakdown
    • Spell class primary stat missing
    • Spell class penetration missing
    • Spells per level (for Memorized Casters) missing
    • Armor max dex bonus missing
    • Armor skill check penalty missing
    • Armor spell failure missing
    • Inventory location missing


    3.5E - Hero Lab
    • Same as Pathfinder, plus...
    • Skill ranks missing
    • Spell effect/target/area missing


    JPG
    Last edited by Moon Wizard; July 20th, 2011 at 23:43.

  3. #3
    Please let us know if you use the character import utility and which game system and character generator you are using it for, regardless of whether you run into issues. We want to hear more about which systems/generators will get the most mileage out of this utility.

    JPG

  4. #4
    phantomwhale's Avatar
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    Well, I'm gunning for a SWEX import option out of Hero Lab now
    Former SW ruleset / Deadlands extension author. Now I just wanna play a few games. And maybe hack. A little.

  5. #5
    It looks like SW - Hero Lab is first on the list after D&D - PCGen.

    JPG

  6. #6
    Wow this is awesome! Thanks Cody!
    You should post this over at the HeroLab forums too.

    Results of a few different conversions (some with slight variations in the feats or equipment of the character):
    The second try included multiple characters in one file and only took the first one.
    The last try is an animal companion bear.
    Code:
    Conversion Start
    Date/Time: 21.07.2011 09:31:43
    Import File Format: Hero Lab Pathfinder .xml
    ->Path: C:\Users\Thomas\Documents\Hero Lab\portfolios\pathfinder\Kingmaker\Jedgon_Lain.xml
    Output to Xml: false
    Import to Local Character List: false
    Import to Campaign: true
    test pf2->Path: E:\Games\Fantasy Grounds II\Appdata\\campaigns\test pf2\db.xml
    ----Conversion Errors----
    Node Read Error. <Name:character; Path:deity/@name>
    ---------Results---------
    Successfully imported to campaign test pf2
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Conversion Start
    Date/Time: 21.07.2011 09:35:22
    Import File Format: Hero Lab Pathfinder .xml
    ->Path: C:\Users\Thomas\Documents\Hero Lab\portfolios\pathfinder\Kingmaker\Ragnar_Steinskalle_Olafsson.xml
    Output to Xml: false
    Import to Local Character List: false
    Import to Campaign: true
    test pf2->Path: E:\Games\Fantasy Grounds II\Appdata\\campaigns\test pf2\db.xml
    ----Conversion Errors----
    ---------Results---------
    Cannot import to campaign test pf2. Error: Name cannot begin with the '>' character, hexadecimal value 0x3E. Line 173, position 8.
    
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Conversion Start
    Date/Time: 21.07.2011 09:54:34
    Import File Format: Hero Lab Pathfinder .xml
    ->Path: C:\Users\Thomas\Documents\Hero Lab\portfolios\pathfinder\Nir.xml
    Output to Xml: false
    Import to Local Character List: false
    Import to Campaign: true
    test pf2->Path: E:\Games\Fantasy Grounds II\Appdata\\campaigns\test pf2\db.xml
    ----Conversion Errors----
    ---------Results---------
    Cannot import to campaign test pf2. Error: Name cannot begin with the '>' character, hexadecimal value 0x3E. Line 215, position 8.
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Conversion Start
    Date/Time: 21.07.2011 09:55:01
    Import File Format: Hero Lab Pathfinder .xml
    ->Path: C:\Users\Thomas\Documents\Hero Lab\portfolios\pathfinder\Nir.xml
    Output to Xml: false
    Import to Local Character List: false
    Import to Campaign: true
    test pf2->Path: E:\Games\Fantasy Grounds II\Appdata\\campaigns\test pf2\db.xml
    ----Conversion Errors----
    ---------Results---------
    Cannot import to campaign test pf2. Error: Name cannot begin with the '>' character, hexadecimal value 0x3E. Line 215, position 8.
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Conversion Start
    Date/Time: 21.07.2011 09:55:27
    Import File Format: Hero Lab Pathfinder .xml
    ->Path: C:\Users\Thomas\Documents\Hero Lab\portfolios\pathfinder\Nir.xml
    Output to Xml: false
    Import to Local Character List: false
    Import to Campaign: true
    test pf2->Path: E:\Games\Fantasy Grounds II\Appdata\\campaigns\test pf2\db.xml
    ----Conversion Errors----
    ---------Results---------
    Cannot import to campaign test pf2. Error: Name cannot begin with the '>' character, hexadecimal value 0x3E. Line 215, position 8.
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Conversion Start
    Date/Time: 21.07.2011 10:00:14
    Import File Format: Hero Lab Pathfinder .xml
    ->Path: C:\Users\Thomas\Documents\Hero Lab\portfolios\pathfinder\Nir.xml
    Output to Xml: false
    Import to Local Character List: false
    Import to Campaign: true
    test PF->Path: E:\Games\Fantasy Grounds II\Appdata\\campaigns\test PF\db.xml
    ----Conversion Errors----
    ---------Results---------
    Cannot import to campaign test PF. Error: Name cannot begin with the '>' character, hexadecimal value 0x3E. Line 504, position 8.
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Conversion Start
    Date/Time: 21.07.2011 10:00:30
    Import File Format: Hero Lab Pathfinder .xml
    ->Path: C:\Users\Thomas\Documents\Hero Lab\portfolios\pathfinder\Pooh.xml
    Output to Xml: false
    Import to Local Character List: false
    Import to Campaign: true
    testagain->Path: E:\Games\Fantasy Grounds II\Appdata\\campaigns\testagain\db.xml
    ----Conversion Errors----
    Node Read Error. <Name:weapon; Path:@quantity>
    Node Read Error. <Name:weapon; Path:weight/@value>
    Node Read Error. <Name:weapon; Path:cost/@text>
    Node Read Error. <Name:weapon; Path:@quantity>
    Node Read Error. <Name:weapon; Path:weight/@value>
    Node Read Error. <Name:weapon; Path:cost/@text>
    ---------Results---------
    Successfully imported to campaign testagain
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    A few things I noticed after a brief test:
    -It does not export trait or feat bonuses to skills.
    -Does not add weapon bonuses to hit or damage (e.g. +3 dagger).
    -The "Cannot import to campaign test PF. Error: Name cannot begin with the '>' character, hexadecimal value 0x3E. Line 504, position 8." Happens sometimes when I try to add a character to a campaign which already has characters in it.
    -Penalty to movement from armor is added to the misc and not armor box for movement speed.

    Otherwise it looks great! Thanks a bunch!
    Now if you could get this to import NPCs too it would be supreme. (I only GM Pathfinder, but have many NPCs in Herolab)

    edit: cleaned up a bit
    Last edited by Leonal; July 21st, 2011 at 02:41.

  7. #7
    Trenloe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leonal
    Wow this is awesome! Thanks Cody!
    I'll echo that sentiment! Looks absolutely fantastic!

    I ran a quick PAthfinder test with a 2nd level Dwarven Cleric - direct importinto a campaign. Most stuff came through pretty much spot on. However:

    - Skill descriptions aren't populated.

    - Spells are "hidden" until spells known have values greater than 0. This appears to be a problem with the default XML output from Herolab as I see the spellsknown tag empty ("<spellsknown/>") in the Herolab output.

    I'll do some more testing and see how it goes.

    I use HerolLab and PCGen for Pathfinder characters - some of my players players use HeroLab and some use PCGen so I need to use both.

    Great work so far!

    Thanks!

  8. #8

    Reply to Leonal and Trenloe

    Leonal
    Thanks for the feedback! Unfortunately this bug "Penalty to movement from armor is added to the misc and not armor box for movement speed" is a problem resulting from the limited information given by HeroLab output. We are working closely with HeroLab to expand the information given by custom output, but it won't be fixed any time soon.

    As for this bug "Cannot import to campaign test PF. Error: Name cannot begin with the '>' character, hexadecimal value 0x3E. Line 504, position 8" I haven't encountered it, but I was able to artificially recreate by manipulating the db.xml file. For me to truly fix this bug it would be great if next time you encounter it you could post the db.xml, located in the FG2 Application Data folder under the campaigns directory, and error message.

    Trenloe
    Thanks for the feedback! I will look into both of these problems and see what I can come up with. I also wanted to let you know that PCGen support is currently in the works.

  9. #9
    That's good to know.

    I tried to make a new campaign and didn't get the error, so I suppose it might have to do with me trying to import to campaigns created during earlier releases of 3.5E v2.8.

  10. #10
    Just posted an update from Cody.

    Updates
    • PCGen Pathfinder and 3.5E now supported.*
    • "Install PCGen Support" conveniently installs all the necessary files for PCGen 3.5/Pathfinder export. Run with administrative privileges to enable this.
    • More user friendly error handling. Errors from convert now display in log and disable convert button.
    • Hero Lab PF/3.5E: Skill descriptions now populate.


    Known Limitations to PCGen Support
    • No breakdown of speed points. All speed points dumped into base.
    • Special speed movement types (fly, etc..) may not convert.
    • Special senses beyond vision may not convert.
    • Armor and weapon proficiencies show up in feats.
    • Empty spellsets will sometimes display in spellsets.
    • Spell actions may not contain all actions for a spell.


    Regards,
    JPG

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