Importing 3,5 NPCs - NPC template factory

[Moonsteroony]

Hello,
I don’t know if this is the right place, but I’m looking for a correctly formatted xml version to insert NPCs in a ‘module’. I’m running 3,5.

Likewise, and maybe preferably, the correct ‘text’ version to import using the NPC template factory. It would be great to be able to use all those ‘bestiary’ sites.

Both ChatGPT and Gemini can’t produce any version cleanly.

Some notes of info: I’ve given to FG, and have done so for a long time – bought it (DM version) when 3 was the only version (if I remember correctly); went through opening portals, and all that complicated stuff. Somewhere down the road I paid also for the Unity version, etc. I know how to add content to modules (the .zip route) and have done so often and efficiently.

So please don’t give me the Microsoft did you check if your computer’s plugged; are you up to date, which version are you using, etc.

I just want to copy/paste the correct version of a monster in the NPC template factory importer and be able to use that NPC then and there.

Thank you for any help and for all who’ve made our lives easier.

Moonsteroony


66256

[srbongo]

Which extension exactly is this? There's a few that mimic this behavior for 3.5 / PFRPG and some have different requirements, if you can link which one you're using I may be able to help figure out the formatting that's required.

[Moonsteroony]

I think it came with the NPC Pathfinder codex... but I'll have to recheck, I've had it for some time and its origins is lost to my memory...

66268

Here's why I bought it - great tool! I think it was from the Forge...

[Kelrugem]

I think it came with the NPC Pathfinder codex... but I'll have to recheck, I've had it for some time and its origins is lost to my memory...

66268

Here's why I bought it - great tool! I think it was from the Forge...

That looks like the extension coming with the advanced bestiary from the store :)

[Trenloe]

@Kelrugem is right - that's the Green Ronin Advanced Bestiary: https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/product.php?id=GRR2901e

The format expected is the Paizo Pathfinder 1e format, described here: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/rules-for-monsters/monster-entry-format

[Moonsteroony]

Still, some tweaking to do, but a lot done! Thank you so much.

[Tempered7]

Still, some tweaking to do, but a lot done! Thank you so much.

Glad you found the solution and Thanks for mentioning this, Moonsteroony!

My hopes for playing 3.5 ed again returned. I thought it would be impossible labor to add all of them.
So if I buy the Green Ronin Advanced Bestiary, the extension makes it super easy?

[Navigat0r]

Glad you found the solution and Thanks for mentioning this, Moonsteroony!

My hopes for playing 3.5 ed again returned. I thought it would be impossible labor to add all of them.
So if I buy the Green Ronin Advanced Bestiary, the extension makes it super easy?

If you are looking to import creature statblocks, it might be worth checking out the free pathfinder creature parser before dropping money on the premium stuff. https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?20522-Pathfinder-Creature-Parser-V2

When it comes to pathfinder stuff at least, the free community modules/extensions are generally much better implemented than the paid-for stuff. In terms of automation, making use of FGU's features, adding/improving functionality and so on

[Tempered7]

If you are looking to import creature statblocks, it might be worth checking out the free pathfinder creature parser before dropping money on the premium stuff. https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?20522-Pathfinder-Creature-Parser-V2

When it comes to pathfinder stuff at least, the free community modules/extensions are generally much better implemented than the paid-for stuff. In terms of automation, making use of FGU's features, adding/improving functionality and so on

Oh, this is gold! Thanks! EDIT: Also thanks to Trenloe!

So all it takes is to copy / paste with minimal edit.
For other components like items, etc. I'll just use the remaining time for manual additions.
I'm guessing FGU's DnD 3.5 ed automation is on par with PF1E. Even if it's not, I can manage I guess.

[Nylanfs]

PCGen's import is pretty seamless for input also.

[Trenloe]

There are a number of creature parsers available - mostly community created. The big gotcha is that these are for Pathfinder 1e format statblocks, not for the D&D 3.5E format - which is different.

[Kelrugem]

I'm guessing FGU's DnD 3.5 ed automation is on par with PF1E. Even if it's not, I can manage I guess.

They share the same automation, except for the parser stuff as Trenloe mentioned. There is no 3.5e parser sadly, either type in directly or bring the data in PF1 formatting to use one of the parsers

(3.5e creature stat blocks' structures often vary from book to book, so, not really feasible to adjust given parsers for 3.5e, I think)

[Tempered7]

There are a number of creature parsers available - mostly community created. The big gotcha is that these are for Pathfinder 1e format statblocks, not for the D&D 3.5E format - which is different.


They share the same automation, except for the parser stuff as Trenloe mentioned. There is no 3.5e parser sadly, either type in directly or bring the data in PF1 formatting to use one of the parsers

(3.5e creature stat blocks' structures often vary from book to book, so, not really feasible to adjust given parsers for 3.5e, I think)


PCGen's import is pretty seamless for input also.

I think PCGen is the solution for the parsing problem. I used it baack in the day a lot, it should be easy to remember muscle memory.

Thanks for the info, Trenloe, Kelrugem, and Nylanfs!

EDIT: Ooh, there is also Spycraft in it.

[Nylanfs]

You don't need the importer with PCGen either, there's a FG xml output sheet that you save the char as and it's a direct import just like a backed up character.

[Tempered7]

You don't need the importer with PCGen either, there's a FG xml output sheet that you save the char as and it's a direct import just like a backed up character.

Yup, found it while poking around the software. Super handy!
One problem though: I cant load more than 2 books within the software. When did they change it?
I remember in the ancient version, I could load many 3.5 ed books to fill the char gen with their content.

[Navigat0r]

You don't need the importer with PCGen either, there's a FG xml output sheet that you save the char as and it's a direct import just like a backed up character.

Does this work with non PC statblocks? I was messing around with it just now and any "monster" statblocks get hit with error messages when attempting to export. Sheets that will be processed as "characters" in fantasy grounds and get a full PC character sheet are fine, but any monsters (or humanoid NPCs that I don't want a full PC style character sheet for) result in an error when exporting. Am I am missing something? Is there some other PCgen sheet rather than csheet_FantasyGrounds2_pc_PFv3.xml that I should be using?

As is, this is fine if I am making a "regular," fully-statted out character sheet for an important NPC or an actual PC, but how can I use PCGEN to export simpler monster style statblocks? As in, ones which will in the NPC tab of fantasy grounds, not the PC character select screen. I would rather my FGU character select screen not be flooded by dozens of goblins with a few class levels etc.

I know there used to be someone on the forums that had created a "module exporter" that allowed you to export PCgen NPCs as fantasy grounds modules that you could then import into your FGU campaign (NPCs would be handled as NPCs, not fully fledged characters once imported into FGU). IIRC this utility was called "direct deposit"? Though I can't find evidence of this utility on the forums anymore...

[Tempered7]

I know there used to be someone on the forums that had created a "module exporter" that allowed you to export PCgen NPCs as fantasy grounds modules that you could then import into your FGU campaign (NPCs would be handled as NPCs, not fully fledged characters once imported into FGU). IIRC this utility was called "direct deposit"? Though I can't find evidence of this utility on the forums anymore...

Cathar's NPC output utility? I checked it too but the software is removed I guess.

PCGen export to NPC Module utility (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?21480-PCGen-export-to-NPC-Module-utility)

[Navigat0r]

Cathar's NPC output utility? I checked it too but the software is removed I guess.

PCGen export to NPC Module utility (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?21480-PCGen-export-to-NPC-Module-utility)

Yeah I think that is the one. I checked my old pc and found a copy of the software and a copy of the instructions in my google docs. I had to fiddle with it a bit but it seems to still be working alright. It isn't perfect but it creates NPC records which can be touched up if needed. IMO better than manually (re)doing a bunch of data entry in FG if you want to make anything more than a few changes to an NPC.

I am not sure if posting it here is okay as this is someone else's program that they specifically removed from the site. Assuming it is not an issue (someone in the know please confirm), I am happy to share it here

[Nylanfs]

Switch to the 'Advanced Sources' at the top

[Navigat0r]

Switch to the 'Advanced Sources' at the top

Do you mean the screen where I can choose individual "books" I want to have available when creating a character? As opposed to a preset group of books like "PFRPG for Players?" If so, I can't figure out how the source tab (basic or advanced) allows me to adjust how I export character records to FGU. Changing the sources available for chargen still results in errors for monsters OR npc records that FGU only recognizes as PCs (which clogs my character select window). What am I missing?

[Nylanfs]

I was referring to Tempered7's post about more than two books (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?86569-Importing-3-5-NPCs-NPC-template-factory&p=756900&viewfull=1#post756900)

Yes, the xml is for PC's, for NPC's that you don't need a full char sheet for you could use the statblocks and copy and paste the text into FG, it's been a while since I have done it though and I might have been using the above utility.

66336

I'm away from my computer to check but can you export and import NPC's? If you can export one (like the goblin), it can be compared to the fg xml pcgen generates and adjusted to get in the repo.

Edit: Doesn't one of the Paizo sources have a built in statblock importer? ARG maybe since that has the Race Builder system in it.

[Tempered7]

I was referring to Tempered7's post about more than two books (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?86569-Importing-3-5-NPCs-NPC-template-factory&p=756900&viewfull=1#post756900)

Yes, the xml is for PC's, for NPC's that you don't need a full char sheet for you could use the statblocks and copy and paste the text into FG, it's been a while since I have done it though and I might have been using the above utility.

66336

I'm away from my computer to check but can you export and import NPC's? If you can export one (like the goblin), it can be compared to the fg xml pcgen generates and adjusted to get in the repo.

Edit: Doesn't one of the Paizo sources have a built in statblock importer? ARG maybe since that has the Race Builder system in it.

Thanks! Now I loaded everything.
And off to testing NPCs. Maybe I can find an easy way.

EDIT: Only way I could find was Ikael's module maker (https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?77403-Module-Maker) but I still can't enter even text for the life of me.