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View Full Version : ****Video Tutorial on Getting Started with Fantasy Grounds and Pathfinder Society****



Trueshots
January 30th, 2013, 20:30
I wanted to make a tutorial so new players can see what they need to do to start playing. There are 5 X 5 minute videos (25 mins total) here, they cover the following things:

* Obtaining a PFS ID number
* Obtaining a copy of HeroLab
* Creating a PFS character within HeroLab
* Saving Herolab files
* Exporting Herolab Files
* Posting your new .xml file to forums for access by GM of your game

Getting Started: Video 1 (https://screenr.com/4wr7)
Getting Started: Video 2 (https://screenr.com/3wr7)
Getting Started: Video 3 (https://screenr.com/79r7)
Getting Started: Video 4 (https://screenr.com/O9r7)
Getting Started: Video 5 (https://screenr.com/v9r7)

It was hard for me to figure these things out when I stated and I'm afraid we may lose people if were not more active with helping in the initial stages. I hope this helps, would love feedback if this is helpful or I should change something. Thanks!

ADDITIONAL TUTORIAL VIDEOS:

How To Import A Hero Lab Character File Into FG's Manage Characters and Campaign. Plus Adding Special Abilities Inside FG's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Yha-Cyu6s&feature=youtu.be)
Adding Modules to FG, ie., Spells, Equipment, Feats, Traits, etc. (https://screenr.com/Iin7)
Making the Perfect Character Portrait for Your FG Character (https://screenr.com/gwn7)
Editing Your Character in FG and Exporting to XML File (3 part series)
Editing Your Character in FG and Exporting to XML File (part 1) (https://screenr.com/rwn7)
Editing Your Character in FG and Exporting to XML File (part 2) (https://screenr.com/zwn7)
Editing Your Character in FG and Exporting to XML File (part 3) (https://screenr.com/own7)
DM Tools
Adding Mobs/Creatures To Your FG's Campaign Using The Creature Parser (https://screenr.com/SRZ7)

Trenloe
January 30th, 2013, 21:34
I've only had a quick flick through the videos, thanks for doing these Trueshots.

Are you considering doing a video to cover importing the HL character .hlfg file into FG (be it a campaign or manage characters), checking through the character build in FG and then exporting as XML for the game?

I know this is not available to unregistered users, but getting players used to doing this will introduce new players to the FG interface earlier than their first game, give them the responsibility of checking their character imports correctly and also allow them to do additional changes as needed.

The more a player knows about doing this the better - it will help them get more familiar with FG and also reduce the load on the GM a bit by making sure the PC xml is more complete and checked before being sent to the GM.

Trueshots
January 30th, 2013, 22:45
Are you considering doing a video to cover importing the HL character .hlfg file into FG (be it a campaign or manage characters), checking through the character build in FG and then exporting as XML for the game?

Yes, The video I have covers all that. I hate my free Screenr account only allowed me to do 5 min videos, I have a program I use to record MMO games. With that I could use and upload to youtube for a continuous video. I may do that at a later date, but just did this one this way to get people started.

If there are more specific video tutorials you would like me to make let me know. I'm pretty computer illiterate but I can help explain some of the simple stuff.

Trenloe
January 30th, 2013, 22:51
Yes, The video I have covers all that.
Sorry, forgive me, but I don't see Fantasy Grounds being opened in any of these 5 videos. I was referring to actually importing the .hlfg into either manage characters or a campaign and actually reviewing/checking the PC in Fantasy Grounds. Then exporting the FG XML from Fantasy Grounds to send to the GM.

Have I missed this somewhere in the videos?

Trueshots
January 30th, 2013, 22:54
Sorry, forgive me, but I don't see Fantasy Grounds being opened in any of these 5 videos. I was referring to actually importing the .hlfg into either manage characters or a campaign and actually reviewing/checking the PC in Fantasy Grounds. Then exporting the FG XML from Fantasy Grounds to send to the GM.

Have I missed this somewhere in the videos?
Ah ok, Yea I cover importing it to the "managed characters" or "xml" or "campaign" but I haven't actually pulled up FG and show it there. Give me a few, I can Make one for that here in just a little bit. Thanks!

GunnarGreybeard
January 31st, 2013, 01:53
I don't play Pathfinder but I still gotta give props for this. Well done. ;)

Trueshots
January 31st, 2013, 02:29
Added 2 more video's per Trenloe's request. As I add videos I will just edit Opening Post, videos will be placed under the "ADDITIONAL TUTORIAL VIDEOS". If you have more requests please let me know. Thanks!

Trenloe
January 31st, 2013, 02:53
Added 2 more video's per Trenloe's request.
Fantastic - thanks! :)

Reputation added...

Harbinger
January 31st, 2013, 18:55
Thanks for making these. I know I had a time of it getting through all this, was not bad once I had someone to explain and walk me step by step. These should help others.

Harbinger
January 31st, 2013, 19:19
Using the spell effects for actions is a nice touch, you might want to edit you top post just to mention that also.

Trueshots
January 31st, 2013, 19:25
Using the spell effects for actions is a nice touch, you might want to edit you top post just to mention that also.
Yea, it says "Adding special abilities in FG", If that's unclear I can change it

Harbinger
February 2nd, 2013, 01:35
That should be fine, I guess I did not see it first time.

Trueshots
February 3rd, 2013, 01:57
I added a couple Videos today, I'll keep thinking of more. If anyone has a request please let me know. Thanks.

blinkstone
March 4th, 2013, 00:46
thanks for making the videos trueshots. i have a question,being a total noob to FG and HL is it possible to only make my modifications to my character in HL and have them properly reflected in FG? for example when i gain a level and i use HL to make the changes do i need to manually change the info in FG?

Trenloe
March 4th, 2013, 14:25
i have a question,being a total noob to FG and HL is it possible to only make my modifications to my character in HL and have them properly reflected in FG? for example when i gain a level and i use HL to make the changes do i need to manually change the info in FG?
As you can't export your PC from Fantasy Grounds into HeroLab, in a long running campaign the character can quickly become out-of-synch especially where the inventory is involved as this tends to change a lot as you're playing. So, HeroLab tends to get used for the mechanics of levelling a character, but the player applies the changes manually to their PC in the campaign.

But, you can absolutely do everything within HeroLab and then import that character into Fantasy Grounds if you wish - if it is into a long running campaign this will appear as another character in FG and you'll have to select the new PC to play.

For Pathfinder Society (PFS) games Hero Lab is perfect - these one off scenarios give clear rewards that you can easily apply to your character in HeroLab after each game and you can export the character into FG make sure it's OK and export the FG XML to send to a GM before a PFS game.

blinkstone
March 5th, 2013, 04:37
As you can't export your PC from Fantasy Grounds into HeroLab, in a long running campaign the character can quickly become out-of-synch especially where the inventory is involved as this tends to change a lot as you're playing. So, HeroLab tends to get used for the mechanics of levelling a character, but the player applies the changes manually to their PC in the campaign.

But, you can absolutely do everything within HeroLab and then import that character into Fantasy Grounds if you wish - if it is into a long running campaign this will appear as another character in FG and you'll have to select the new PC to play.

For Pathfinder Society (PFS) games Hero Lab is perfect - these one off scenarios give clear rewards that you can easily apply to your character in HeroLab after each game and you can export the character into FG make sure it's OK and export the FG XML to send to a GM before a PFS game.
thank you very much. It may sound funny but I have been agonizing over this for a few days, I did not want to purchase the additional modules in herolab until I had an answer.:)

Trueshots
March 10th, 2013, 04:29
thanks for making the videos trueshots. i have a question,being a total noob to FG and HL is it possible to only make my modifications to my character in HL and have them properly reflected in FG? for example when i gain a level and i use HL to make the changes do i need to manually change the info in FG?

Also wanted to say. You can make your changes in HeroLab then upload your character again to FG (to your local "Manage Characters") You will then have 2 copies. You can then open them both and edit your existing character with the new herolab character with losing any of the "abilities" you may have added earlier to the 1st copy. Hope this makes sense. Good luck!