Unlocking purchased .dat files in the \vault directory

[fatherdagon]

I bought the Princes of the Apocalypse module through steam, and installed it on my local machine. I've been able to bring up a campaign using the module without issues, however there's one thing I'm stuck trying to accomplish - manually edit the images saved in the base campaign. I would like to have a slowly updated area map with proper text headers for the locations the PCs discover. Copying overlay portions of the DM map onto the Player map is the simplest way to do this while maintaining the same visual aesthetic of the base map, and would be a snap, buuut...

I found the WOTC5EPOTA.dat file in the ProgramData\Fantasy Grounds\Vault directory, and if I make a copy and open it as a .zip I can find all the filenames for the images I want to manipulate - except they're all password locked when I try to open or copy them. Is there a specific pw to use? I've tried both my FG login password and my Steam password in case it was tied to either account, but no luck.

[Zacchaeus]

Hi fatherdagon welcome to FG and to the community.

They are password protected for a reason - you don't get to edit them. They are all copyright protected assets.

[Trenloe]

Welcome to the forums!

You can't access these. They are deliberately encrypted to stop access.

Your only only option for maps/images is to take a screenshot and save that as an image.

[ddavison]

As others have stated, this is by design. You could possibly screenshot them as you go. If it is just the area map, that might be available from WOTC directly. I know they gave away a bunch of maps as part of the build up and hype prior to release. It will be a subset of the full images within the module, but it's possible that one is one that is available in an unencrypted state.

[Cyberqat]

Its worth noting that this has nothing to do with copyright directly. Copyright allows you to translate any material you have bought into another form for your own use.
Its called "space shifting" and is discussed in this brief from the US Patent office (which also administers copyright registration).
https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2011/initial/public_knowledge.pdf

HOWEVER in the US we have an additional abortion of a law called the DMCA. Once encrypted, the DMCA makes it a crime to break the encryption. SO really, this is an end run by WOTC around your right to place shift.

[The High Druid]

You could add additional pins to the players version of the map, linked to story entries with the name and description. Then just share the pin when they discover the area.

[damned]

Its worth noting that this has nothing to do with copyright directly. Copyright allows you to translate any material you have bought into another form for your own use.
Its called "space shifting" and is discussed in this brief from the US Patent office (which also administers copyright registration).
https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2011/initial/public_knowledge.pdf

HOWEVER in the US we have an additional abortion of a law called the DMCA. Once encrypted, the DMCA makes it a crime to break the encryption. SO really, this is an end run by WOTC around your right to place shift.

The article you inked is merely a submission - it has no legal weight or bearing.
It is legal to format shift material for your own personal non commercial use that you have legally acquired.
It is also legal to apply technological measures that make format shifting more difficult.
These modules have been encrypted pre-DMCA.

[Andraax]

These modules have been encrypted pre-DMCA.

These modules were created prior to 1998?

[damned]

These modules were created prior to 1998?

Errr... yes?
Apologies - brain fart there!

[Cyberqat]

The article you inked is merely a submission - it has no legal weight or bearing.
It is legal to format shift material for your own personal non commercial use that you have legally acquired.
It is also legal to apply technological measures that make format shifting more difficult.
These modules have been encrypted pre-DMCA.

yes, but it is ALSO legal to break those counter-measures, it turns out, for the purposes of legal space-shifting.

And thats the real issue.

[LordEntrails]

And thats the real issue.
I think the real issue is that the vast majority of folks on the forums respect SmiteWorks and understand that once an encryption system is broken, for legal means or not, that it will be abused by those who chose to engage in illegal activities. Activities that WILL hurt SmiteWorks and therefore our favorite VTT.

So, the issue to me is that regardless of if these is a legal right to do so or not, no one here is likely to help anyone break the encryption or be supportive of those who advocate for it to be broken.

[ddavison]

It is a violation of our EULA as well.

[Phoenix_133]

Hello SmiteWorks,

I am more interested as a publisher/developer to know, if I can protect my data aswell?
How can I, as a developer of a module, also create a .dat file inside the vault folder?
Any help on this topic would be appreciated, as I couldn't find any information on this matter in the forums or wiki.
I guess the first step would be to "become a crafter" at "The Forge"?
https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/crafter/signup
What's next?

[Zacchaeus]

Hello SmiteWorks,

I am more interested as a publisher/developer to know, if I can protect my data aswell?
How can I, as a developer of a module, also create a .dat file inside the vault folder?
Any help on this topic would be appreciated, as I couldn't find any information on this matter in the forums or wiki.
I guess the first step would be to "become a crafter" at "The Forge"?
https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/crafter/signup
What's next?

When you submit items to the forge you have the option of having the files encrypted or not. As you say the first step is become a crafter and the rest will follow automatically.

[Phoenix_133]

Hi Zacchaeus,

I guess then it is time to look at the terms and conditions:
https://fantasygroundsunity.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCP/pages/996639040/License+to+produce+Fantasy+Grounds+modules

Thanks for the swift answer!