4E Enhanced Images

**Zeus** · July 3rd, 2011, 12:02

NEW VERSION AVAILABLE (v1.4) - see last post for change details.

Hey everyone, another test extension.

I have been working with JPG to see if we could re-visit the multi-layer map functionality Foen explored a while back. The Enhanced Images extension exploits JPG's new API functionality introduced in v2.8 to enable three layers (background, features and play) enabling a DM to compile three images which are then overlaid over one another to provide a composite map view for play. The extension enables a DM to build map images using tile based tokens without incurring FGII token stacking issues.

4E Enhanced Images
1st July 2011 – v1.1

Updated to support 2.8 API and 4E v2.1

1st June 2011 – v1.0

Updated windowclass to use three image controls (one layered atop of the other) allowing DM’s to define a background image (ground/walls), add features to a dedicated second layer (trees/furniture) and use a third layer for PC/NPC token gameplay. All three layers remain syncronised with regards to their size and viewpoint (position and zoom), DM’s are also able to add to the drawing canvas using the regular radial menu commands.
Added new expandable/collapsable layer controls to the image tools button control palette between draw and target toolbars. Clicking on the bottom layer button (background) will hide/disable the middle (features) and top (play) layers allowing placement of tokens on the bottom layer. Clicking on the middle layer button (features) will hide/disable the top (play) layer whilst displaying/enabling the middle layer and displaying/disabling the bottom layer. Finally clicking on the top layer will display all layers however only the top layer is enabled for token movement. Grid’s from legacy images will be migrated to the new top layer automaticall
Added new expandable/collapsable x,y coordinates control to the image tools button control palette between layers and target toolbars to support new Enhanced Encounters token pre-placement functionality.

Screenshot:

Please note:

this is a test release requiring v2.8 as a minimum. The extension modifies the windowclass objects for images/maps therefore please ensure that you have backed up your campaign before using.
Once a multi-layered map has been constructed, should the extension then be reverted for any reason, token placement information will be lost if the image is opened whilst the extension is not loaded
Due to limitations with the way FGII currently handles image masks. Masking of images is currently limited to the bottom layer only. JPG and I have discussed the limitations and JPG is currently investigating/assessing API changes required.

I have uploaded the test release to the Extensions/Test area of my new portal. Click the banner in my signature for the link.

Enjoy!

DrZ.

**khersheyjr** · July 3rd, 2011, 12:23

Wow you been busy Dr. Zuess. I was just wondering about maps working like this the other day.

**phantomwhale** · July 4th, 2011, 00:28

*eyes this up for future SWEX improvements*

Good work

No, great work

**Oberoten** · July 5th, 2011, 10:36

That is damn cool. As far as I can see it also works flawlessly with other rulesets if you remove the <ruleset> tag. Good work Doc.

-Obe

**Zeus** · July 5th, 2011, 21:00

Thanks chaps - I'll defer most of the credit to Foen for coming up with the original idea and his Layers extension. Fingers crossed JPG can figure out an elegant workaround to the mask issue and I think this will add extra zing to map making.

I'd really like to make use of this for my games, hand drawn and fancy PS maps is one thing but if I think the way forward lies in tiles ...

**Blue Haven** · July 6th, 2011, 17:41

This is so great friend

but one question...why do we have to register to get the exts and other things...? don´t take me wrong but its a little annoying...
Thank you so much for your new work

**gmkieran** · July 6th, 2011, 18:30

Holy wow, Z-man! Looking forward to playing with this one, definitely. If I could end up with tile-based maps that look like those, I'd switch.

**Zeus** · July 6th, 2011, 18:46

Apologies Blue Haven, the intention was not to annoy rather a means of understanding of how many people are using my mods to gauge interest levels and priorities for development and support.

I thought about it for a while and figured most people wouldn't mind given what you get in return.

I am also thinking about releasing a bunch of online tools for FGII in the near future which will also need a login id.

Potential tools I was thinking about include:

- FGII 4E Character to HTML 4E Character Sheets (Classic and Essentials)
- NPC Stat Block Converter (RTF to FGII 4E XML)
- Power Cards
- Item Cards

**Zeus** · July 6th, 2011, 18:58

Originally Posted by gmkieran

Holy wow, Z-man! Looking forward to playing with this one, definitely. If I could end up with tile-based maps that look like those, I'd switch.

The bottom layer is just a quick dungeon area image I pulled together in 5 mins in Photoshop. Its just a simple image with a Cloud rendered, noisy texture for the tiles, a tile edge overlay and some black walls. Saved to the campaign images folder as a JPG.

The tokens from the middle layer in the image are home made scans of my 4E official D&D tile sets (DU1 I think) and post-processed in Photoshop to scale them for a 50px grid and saved as .png files in the campaign tokens/host folder.

I have a complete set for DU1-DU3 which I have been using for test purposes, the results are really quite good. The map above took minutes to make in the FGII interface.

If the masking issue is fixed moving forward, I will invest the time to finish the complete set DU4-DU6,DN1,DN2 and the Master Sets ET1-ET3.

**Darkfaith** · July 7th, 2011, 01:00

Originally Posted by DrZeuss

Apologies Blue Haven, the intention was not to annoy rather a means of understanding of how many people are using my mods to gauge interest levels and priorities for development and support.

I thought about it for a while and figured most people wouldn't mind given what you get in return.

I am also thinking about releasing a bunch of online tools for FGII in the near future which will also need a login id.

Potential tools I was thinking about include:

- FGII 4E Character to HTML 4E Character Sheets (Classic and Essentials)
- NPC Stat Block Converter (RTF to FGII 4E XML)
- Power Cards
- Item Cards

I love your extensions, DrZeuss. If you do end up releasing a tool that will convert a 4E FGII character to HTML, I would love that. I've been working on a campaign for my online players, with some campaign resources (adventure log, etc) consolidated into a forum for player access, and I wanted to give my players offline access to look at their sheets on there as well, but everything I've tried so far has been kind of a time-consuming pain. A converter would solve my problem very neatly. I would totally snap that up if made one ^.^

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