Character Generation software

[MormonYoYoMan]

OK, I do like iCharacter though it drives me crazy sometimes. Having to e-mail the HTML files to myself - instead of just printing or saving from the program, drives me nuts. Especially since printing from HTML means almost-blank paper being "printed" and converting to PDF frequently results in character sheets with information or illustrations being dropped - and resized in weird ways.

Enough complaining. Just thought I'd check and see if anyone knew of any other C&C chargen software. Or has anyone designed a template using Metacreator or Hero Lab?

[redwullf]

OK, I do like iCharacter though it drives me crazy sometimes. Having to e-mail the HTML files to myself - instead of just printing or saving from the program, drives me nuts. Especially since printing from HTML means almost-blank paper being "printed" and converting to PDF frequently results in character sheets with information or illustrations being dropped - and resized in weird ways.

Enough complaining. Just thought I'd check and see if anyone knew of any other C&C chargen software. Or has anyone designed a template using Metacreator or Hero Lab?

I haven't heard of chargen software for C&C, I'm afraid.

And, I agree with you on iCharacter sheet - it's a great app, both on the mobile device *and* the desktop. However, we have been pleading for standard Print functionality since release.

[alcyone]

I bought the Authoring Kit for Hero Lab with the intent of producing a C&C sheet, but so far my progress is limited to bootstrapping the files needed and tweaking a few things. I am certain it's capable of the task, but it's a lot of looking around referencing the other game systems looking for examples of how to do certain things in a maintainable way.

I have been thinking of just making a webapp-based sheet with maybe a print-to-pdf option, but I think it could only have OGL content in it, and that might not be useful to everyone. If you have to type everything in, may as well use iCharacter Sheet. Actually, there is a pretty good Excel sheet out there that doesn't print too badly, and knows the equipment list and weapons, does encumbrance, etc.

http://www.dragonsfoot.org/php4/archive ... fileid=217

[TheMetal1]

Hero Lab would be the way to go. Just can't get the authoring kit right now, wish I could help.

[alcyone]

I'm interested in working on this problem; but I'm reluctant to commit to it at this point.

This would be much better with full support from the Trolls as a first class system for Hero Lab instead of an Authoring Kit game. Besides being available straight from Lone Wolf, the Trolls could put in their original material.

I wonder what the legality is of hosting the authoring kit files in GIt or something so other tech types can work on this together. I'll have to see what the other system designers are doing in the Lone Wolf forums.

As it stands right now, if someone does get something cobbled together, we can really only share open content; we can't even use the C&C logo or name.

I'd still like to develop a web app, but I certainly wouldn't have the time to design an open architecture like Hero Lab, where someone who was very determined could extend it to use things like the CKG or Crusaders Companion.

I really don't want to step on the toes of the folks doing iCharacterSheet either. They've implied they have an agreement with the Trolls not to include certain types of content; indeed, while they bear the logo they don't have much in the way of actual game data besides race and class drop downs.

What would probably be of the most use to the community is a tool to transform the iCharacterSheet XML into a PDF sheet.