Dwayne Squires
January 27th, 2017, 18:53
So making great progress; created my first adventure module and then exported it. Now, trying to pull it into my main campaign I have run into some interesting problems.
1st) Maps and images. All my maps Titles/links pulled over in the Maps and Images list but two of my maps did not come across correctly. I think I know what is wrong so just looking to see if I am correct or doing something wrong. So two images that did not export correctly are really just drawings I created on a blank map field. I.E. you hit new image but do not link it to a .jpg or .png file you get a grey screen. I hand drew too crude pictures and then saved them (or thought I did as they worked perfectly in the original campaign I built them in). However, when I exported and then move to my actual campaign and open the module. The Title/links show up on the list but when I open them they are blank. The actual drawings did not come across. I know I can fix this by creating the drawings in paint and saving them as an actual file but is there something else I am missing? It appears the drawings you make in FG do not actually save.
So I built my module and then found a great video by Zorn. I like some of what he did and may change my methods in my next build but that depends because things have updated since Zorn created his video. I put this out as a pretext for my next comments.
2nd) NPCs and Items. So when I built my module I simply pulled NPCs and Items from the Complete MM or Complete DMG that I purchased (which didn't seem to exist when Zorn made his video). So I didn't bother creating my own list of NPCs or items that exist only in that one module. I do not think this will be a problem for me as I can use the MM and DMG in any campaign instance I set up. So I think I am good here. I did not intend to share these modules out. I can understand why I would need to if I were going to do so.
However, the hard copy module I used to create my first FG module needed some help. The hard copy was 2.5e and I am moving to 5e with FG. Part of my learning curve was getting up to date with all the new rules. But back to the point. Some of the old NPCs did not make it to from 2.5e to 5e, also some of them changed significantly. For example the hard copy called for three "traders". But "traders" are not in the new MM. I ended up using "commoner" and just renaming them on my NPC list in a new group I called "Specials". Likewise the old game called for "Mediums" which were supposed to be 1st level mages. However, the new MM and DMG only had "Archmage" and "Mage" both which were higher levels. So I made my own "Mediums" entry. I created a "Special" for items as well because I could not find a cursed shortsword in the DMG list or "trapped chests" which I created with actions for the type of trap. Now I can spring the trap right from the chest item entry. There were probably other ways to deal with a trap but I haven't seen any and this is what I thought of.
So to my question. Since I took the time to create these I would like to be able to reference them in any instance of FG I start. I would like to do so without having to link to all the modules I create. So I think the simple solution is to just keep adding my own "special" NPCs and items but to add them directly to the MM or DMG list instead of my own special list. I believe this will work. Haven't tested it out yet though.
Anyway, I don't know if anyone is keeping a list of great lessons learned but maybe these could be addressed in some of the new videos being made or even in a Best Practices guide.
Again, I appreciate all the help I have received to date. I found Zorn's three videos to be some of the best. They seem well put together and followed a good logical sequence. I especially liked the "Fast Forward" mode with the silly music.
I wrote what I hope is a good review for FG in Steam. I have never tried d20 or any of the other software for D&D but from what I researched they are nowhere near as comprehensive as FG. Can't wait to see what improvements SmiteWorks makes next. Glad to see WoTWC allowed the licensing because I would never have bought 5e books without having found Fantasy Grounds in which to use it. (And you can quote me on that!) This thing is really come a long ways it appears by some of the older videos I saw. Keep up the great work.
1st) Maps and images. All my maps Titles/links pulled over in the Maps and Images list but two of my maps did not come across correctly. I think I know what is wrong so just looking to see if I am correct or doing something wrong. So two images that did not export correctly are really just drawings I created on a blank map field. I.E. you hit new image but do not link it to a .jpg or .png file you get a grey screen. I hand drew too crude pictures and then saved them (or thought I did as they worked perfectly in the original campaign I built them in). However, when I exported and then move to my actual campaign and open the module. The Title/links show up on the list but when I open them they are blank. The actual drawings did not come across. I know I can fix this by creating the drawings in paint and saving them as an actual file but is there something else I am missing? It appears the drawings you make in FG do not actually save.
So I built my module and then found a great video by Zorn. I like some of what he did and may change my methods in my next build but that depends because things have updated since Zorn created his video. I put this out as a pretext for my next comments.
2nd) NPCs and Items. So when I built my module I simply pulled NPCs and Items from the Complete MM or Complete DMG that I purchased (which didn't seem to exist when Zorn made his video). So I didn't bother creating my own list of NPCs or items that exist only in that one module. I do not think this will be a problem for me as I can use the MM and DMG in any campaign instance I set up. So I think I am good here. I did not intend to share these modules out. I can understand why I would need to if I were going to do so.
However, the hard copy module I used to create my first FG module needed some help. The hard copy was 2.5e and I am moving to 5e with FG. Part of my learning curve was getting up to date with all the new rules. But back to the point. Some of the old NPCs did not make it to from 2.5e to 5e, also some of them changed significantly. For example the hard copy called for three "traders". But "traders" are not in the new MM. I ended up using "commoner" and just renaming them on my NPC list in a new group I called "Specials". Likewise the old game called for "Mediums" which were supposed to be 1st level mages. However, the new MM and DMG only had "Archmage" and "Mage" both which were higher levels. So I made my own "Mediums" entry. I created a "Special" for items as well because I could not find a cursed shortsword in the DMG list or "trapped chests" which I created with actions for the type of trap. Now I can spring the trap right from the chest item entry. There were probably other ways to deal with a trap but I haven't seen any and this is what I thought of.
So to my question. Since I took the time to create these I would like to be able to reference them in any instance of FG I start. I would like to do so without having to link to all the modules I create. So I think the simple solution is to just keep adding my own "special" NPCs and items but to add them directly to the MM or DMG list instead of my own special list. I believe this will work. Haven't tested it out yet though.
Anyway, I don't know if anyone is keeping a list of great lessons learned but maybe these could be addressed in some of the new videos being made or even in a Best Practices guide.
Again, I appreciate all the help I have received to date. I found Zorn's three videos to be some of the best. They seem well put together and followed a good logical sequence. I especially liked the "Fast Forward" mode with the silly music.
I wrote what I hope is a good review for FG in Steam. I have never tried d20 or any of the other software for D&D but from what I researched they are nowhere near as comprehensive as FG. Can't wait to see what improvements SmiteWorks makes next. Glad to see WoTWC allowed the licensing because I would never have bought 5e books without having found Fantasy Grounds in which to use it. (And you can quote me on that!) This thing is really come a long ways it appears by some of the older videos I saw. Keep up the great work.