Easy FG Custom Backgrounds

[d1wright]

Sorry, this isn't an easy tutorial on how to change the FG background because changing the background of your FG tabletop is a pain.

However, there is a feature request to make it easier and you can vote for it here! (https://fg2app.idea.informer.com/proj/fg2app?ia=49096#comment_form)

Wouldn't it be great if you could just rename one of the files in your Images & Maps folder to "Background" and have it magically appear?

Prayers to the FG Gods are tallied on the linked page so worship them and be counted!

Note: you don't need a login on the vote page to vote. Just click the Vote button.

[LordEntrails]

There's an easy tutorial for changing the decal here: https://www.fg-con.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Mask_Decal_Class.pdf
There's an extension for changing the theme, including the background here: https://www.fg-con.com/FGThemes/More5e.ext plus all sorts of other themes on the FG Con site and in the Extensions forum.

All that said, I wish you could just point to an image file myself :)

[damned]

I believe that Moon Wizard has said this is something they will look at implementing in the future. There are some reasons why its not as straightforward as that at the moment. Because the GM and players can use different size screens FG tiles images. But it doesnt just tile the whole image. The screen is defineable in up to 11 places and some of those tile in one direction, some two directions and some not at all. The examples above simple use the centre section which tiles in all directions but also aim to use an image that is large enough it doesnt need to tile on most screens. The max image size is 2048x2048 so any image will tile on screen setup bigger than that no matter what you do.

[Khashir]

There's an extension for changing the theme, including the background here: plus all sorts of other themes on the FG Con site and in the Extensions forum.

All that said, I wish you could just point to an image file myself :)

Any insights into how to use that extension? I copied it to my FG extensions folder, loaded it, and didn't see anything different to change the background. Also tried opening with text editor and nothing. Couldn't find any instructions at FG-Con either.

Thanks!

[damned]

Hi Khashir (again!) the extension (depending on what one you downloaded) will have a different wallpaper in it. But it doesnt include a way to dynamically change the wall paper. You need to edit the theme extension.

For example an extension to change teh wallpaper in Trail Of Cthulhu contains the following files:

extension.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>

<!--
Please see the license.html file included with this distribution for
attribution and copyright information.
-->

<root version="3.0" release="3">
<properties>
<name>Trail of Cthulhu Theme</name>
<version>3</version>

<author>DIE Hard Gaming</author>
<description>Trail of Cthulhu Theme</description>

<ruleset>
<name>TrailOfCthulhu</name>
</ruleset>

</properties>

<announcement text="Trail of Cthulhu Theme v0.1\rCreated by DIE Hard Gaming\r\nMore great resources at \r\nhttps://www.diehard-gaming.com" icon="diehard" font="systemfont" />

<base>
<includefile source="graphics_frames.xml" />
<icon name="damned" file="diegaming_small.png" />
</base>
</root>


graphics_frames.xml


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>

<!--
Please see the license.html file included with this distribution for
attribution and copyright information.
-->

<root>
<!-- Desktop background -->
<framedef name="desktop">
<bitmap file="trailofcthulhubw.jpg" />
<right rect="0,0,0,0" />
<!-- <decal rect="300,1080,224,90" /> -->
<middle rect="0,0,1920,1243" />
</framedef>

</root>


trailofcthulhubw.jpg
(an image of size 1920x1243 pixels)

diegaming_small.png
(a logo file only)

Some are more complex with tiling elements and other hings that are being changed.
You should be able to string together how this works.... and if not shout out.

[Khashir]

Hi damned! Just found my problem: I didn't realize I had to rename the .ext to .zip in order to get to the xml files! Was trying to open the .ext with TextMate.

I should be able to figure it out, will report if not =). Thanks again!

[Khashir]

Actually, is there a way to modify the 5E Wizards Theme specifically? I would like to retain all elements there, except the background.

[damned]

If you use the info from post#5 you can just replace the wallpaper.
You would create a folder in your /extensions folder called /5ebackground and it would contain at a minimum the 3 files.

extension.xml
graphics_frames.xml
wallpaper.jpg

[Khashir]

Hmm, in the extension.xml, what value should I insert instead of the bolded below?

<ruleset>
<name>TrailOfCthulhu</name>
</ruleset>
Basically, I copied/pasted the content of your code in post #5 into two separate files, created the folder inside /extensions, and replaced the wallpaper, but no luck.

I tried 5E, DND5E, and D&D5E.

[damned]

you can actually leave the whole section out and it will show for all rulesets....
otherwise this should work:
<ruleset>
<name>5E</name>
</ruleset>
You dont need to pack your extension back up - you can just leave it in the subfolder, you do need to exit and restart FG to get it to show in the list, after that a /reload will pick up changes as you tweak it...
If you really get stuck PM me a dropbox link to your files.

[Khashir]

Heya, got it working!

Last, million dollar question: will it show/override client theme selections? Say, what happens if my players (don't) check the "WoTC 5E Theme"?

Thanks for all your help!

[Moon Wizard]

Players can't select extensions (including themes) or GM-only campaign options, only the GM can.

Cheers,
JPG

[Khashir]

Ah sweet, thanks guys!

[damned]

So the players will get whatever it is that you select - it may look different on their screens though as they will all potentially have different screen resolutions...