Field Filters for All Libraries
THIS EXTENSION IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
As of late September 2023 I've not played D&D in over a year now.
It's doubtful that I will return in the near future.
Currently I have no interest, nor time, to maintain it.
## STOP!! ##
## Before downloading and trying to use this extension READ,
## UNDERSTAND and be willing to COMPLY with the instructions
## and limitations stated in posts #1 - 4 of this thread.
## STOP!! ##
- This extension provides enhanced options for filtering which records appear in the Library record list.
- The intended user is the Game/Dungeon Master, though the players are not restricted from using it.
- The optimal use of this extension is for game design and prep, though game play may be slightly enhanced.
The following posts to this thread contain additional information that you agree to peruse:
#2 - What it does, how and why. Plus restrictions and licensing.. (revised May 3, 2021)
#3 - Versioning information and index to enhancement details.
#4 - Known issues. Work under construction. Acknowledged enhancements. And what ever else.
FGU users can subscribe for automatic updates in the Forge (here).
This extension is not available for FGC.
1 Attachment(s)
What the Field Filters for All Libraries Does
Extension History:
This extension has been around for a while now. It has seen some major enhancements since its original inception: which was a tool to help me add more consistent field data to the Psionic Powers I was adding to the Mystics module (Spell Library Filters). Once I recognized the utility of having filters for all fields in every recordset library, this extension came to fruition.
Extension Necessity:
Fantasy Grounds has copious amounts of data available to its users. Lists of NPCs, Spells, Weapons, Armor and other Adventuring Gear. Trying to sift through the records, looking for an item that matches specific criteria can be daunting, even if you're just looking through a single book. Compound that with multiple books (modules) at your disposal and it may seem impossible. This extension, the Field Filters for All Libraries (FFAL), can help you locate records that meet specific criteria, by filtering the data. Examples: (in the books that I have) show me all the NPCs that have a CR of 3 and that can fly. Or show me all the Spells that have a conical area of effect.
Extension Use:
There are two types of Filters: Drop-down Combo Boxes and Text Search Filters. Most fields in the Recordset have specific data types and or specific data values, for instance an NPCs ability scores are always numeric. In the typical 5E setting, per Wizards of the Coast, there are specifically stated player character Skills. These kinds of fields employ the Drop-down Combo Box type filter. Open narrative data, like Story entries or Spell descriptions use the Text Search Filter control. The user can enter any text value they wish into a Text Search Filter (it is not case sensitive) but can only choose from a list of possible values for the Combo Box Filters. The user cannot change which filter is assigned to which field. The filter employed by FFAL is determined by the field type (numeric, boolean, specific text values, or open text fields) as specified in the underlying database.
The functionality that FFAL provides has grown over the years. There are various options that can be set to affect how and which filters are displayed as well as how filters behave. Information about the options that are available as of May 3, 2021 are indexed through the screenshot below. References to additional information are shown as blue annotations with the number in parentheses being the post number(s) that provide additional details. For instance post #62 of this thread provides additional information about the Advanced Mode's Equality Operators.
Attachment 46305
Extension Interactions:
Many new users of Fantasy Grounds see the huge variety of community developed extensions available to them and they load 'em up. "What could be better than all this additional functionality?" The answer might be none of it! But certainly, less of it. If you are not actively using an extension's functionality, don't load it. Community developers work in a bit of a vacuum. I don't pay attention to what's out there, unless I want or need it. Because the more extensions I have loaded the greater the chances are that those extensions might adversely interact with one another - giving errant results, undesired behaviors or crashing. I make sure my extensions work with the rest of my extensions and with those that I use from other community developers. But not every other extension out there.
This extension, though uncomplicated, wholesale replaces some CoreRPG ruleset code thereby increasing the possibility of conflicts. Especially with other extensions that change the default functionality of the Recordset Library dialogs.
If you have problems with this extension, it is your responsibility to determine if the fault is extension conflicts. The first thing I will ask you is: "Do you use any other extensions?" If so, "Have you unloaded all the other extensions? Do you still have a problem?" So you might as well figure it out beforehand. If you don't know how to go about it, take a look at post #18 of this thread.
Extension Copyright:
This extension is copywritten by me, in its entirety. The copyright does not prevent you from modifying it for your own use. But you may not share nor publish the modified extension with anyone as long as it has any of my copywritten code in it.
Problems, Fixes and Enhancements
As of the latest release (see post #3):
No known bugs.
No planned enhancements.