Rulesets

[trheel]

I have read how to create rulesets until I am bug eyed and it seems impossible. I can't find a ruleset folder under my apps, I don't know what to use to open the modules up, so I can even see the xml gibberish so I can't get past the first chapter of ruleset modification. I would just like step by step to making a character sheet.
Any help would b greatly appreciated. This seems more headache then what its worth, when there are tools out there like map tool and open rpg, that walk you right through everything you need to know to customize your games.

[drahkar]

What version of the application are you running? Lite, Full or Ultimate? Also, which Ruleset are you attempting to make modifications of? Is that ruleset stored in a PAK?

We need to know these bits of information to really help.

Keep in mind, Ruleset creation and modification can be an involved process. You have to understand that when you are build a ruleset, you are doing more than adding a macro or a little function. the ruleset is the complete definition of the entire playing environment within the system you are working with. You are effectively programming every aspect of what is being used within the interface.

[trheel]

I have a full version. Like I said I don't even see a rule set in my files, I have campaign,modules,extensions,cache,characters, portraits, in my app file.
If I do find some files to edit I move it to notepad and all I get is gibberish.

[Griogre]

There would not be any reason for you to have a ruleset folder in data apps unless you have purchased a ruleset folder ruleset. The built in rulesets that come with FG are PAK ruleset that don't require the folder (or the initial ruleset transfer to the clients on first connection).

Just go into your application data folder and create one - rulesets note the plural. As we don't know what you are trying to do it's hard to say which ruleset you should start with. You could download the d20_JPG on this site or you could unpak the 4E, 3.5 or d20 rulesets or grab one off the wiki.

As far as module files they are just zip files in disguise. Just change the .mod to .zip and unzip them.

[Valarian]

There's an unpack tool for the protected PAK files. For ruleset modification, the "anatomy of a ruleset" sees is also good for going through the basics of ruleset modification.

Unpak tool (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/filelibrary/FGPEMUtility.exe)
Anatomy of a ruleset (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13148&highlight=Anatomy+ruleset)

Notepad isn't the best editor due to it not translating carriage returns. Try wordpad as the minimum or find a programming text editor: e.g. PFE, Notepad++ or JEdit. The latter two do text highlighting for XML andLua files ( different colours and strengths of font for key words, text, etc.)

[kairos]

Hi, trheel:

The Anatomy of a Ruleset document is your best bet. I just got FGII, and have had a look into ruleset creation -- it's not for the faint of heart! It's going to take a lot of patience and a bit of knowledge of XML and coding.

I would have a look at the Base Ruleset (https://oberoten.dyndns.org/fgwiki/index.php/Base_Ruleset) as well as the Foundation ruleset that ships with FGII for a better understanding of ruleset structure. But, really, go through the Anatomy document step by step if you want a solid start. With it, I was able to cobble together a really crappy, unusable ruleset for Legends of Middle Earth, but more importantly I got a solid basic understanding of things work ... enough for me to know I'd rather spend time modding the BRP ruleset. :)

Good luck!
Brian