These tutorials cover various topics that may help a MapTool user, after they are comfortable with the basics.
Putting it all Together: Putting together what you have learned so far, to make a nice looking wilderness encounter scene in only a few minutes. Created in an early development build, so there might be a few differences in MapTool’s look now. Techniques are all the same though.
Map Navigation: A couple methods of quickly and easily jumping around to different locations on your map. So, you don’t have to just zoom out and drag yourself around trying to find the new spot, but can jump right from one encounter location to another. Very useful if your group tends to split up.
Tables: How to build and use a basic table. How to add images to your table. Nesting tables. Dice rolling and other commands in tables.
Macros Part 1, Functions: Functions are how you will get the most out of your macros. This tutorial introduces how functions are used and shows some basic, but very useful functions in action.
Entire Beyond the Basics collection! In one big zip file. Double click on the files that end in .html to view the videos.
Hey, these tutorials are AMAZING. They have helped me out a lot in getting my game up and running and I want to thank you Brad for all you have done.
I do have one question though, could you do a quick tutorial on Initiative? How it works, if its possible or not to halt players from doing anything unless its their turn,things like that.
Thanks a lot for your help!
-Bobvorn
I will put in on the list. I had expected to be adding new tutorials and revising old ones over the last couple months, but real life has gotten the better of me. Hopefully soon.
Well I think I speak for all of us when I say “Thanks for actually taking the time to consider and respond to our requests.” It gets really annoying when you post something of a forum or website and they never reply or let you know they have even acknowledged you.
If you ever need help just ask, I would be more then willing to do a couple of screen casts if you would like. I have a good working with the Macro toolset and find that using MapTools is easy (especially after learning from your great tutorials). If you ever need any help send me and e-mail at bobvorn@hotmail.com (bobvorn null@null hotmail NULL.com)!
Thanks. I may take you up on that offer. We will see if I can get productive again or not in the next month.
Brad, what about implementing the import of characters created with, for example, WotC’s Character Generator? I understand it is a standard XML file. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too complicated to read that file and convert it into whatever MT needs to access the stats and numbers. Is this viable?
That is a question that would be better answered on the rptools.net forums. I know how to use MapTool to run games and make fairly good macros. The behind the scenes nuts and bolts are beyond me. I do know that there have been several discussions similar to what you are talking about and I think it would be possible, but I don’t know the level of work involved.
Well, for whatever its worth… I was undecided between buying Battlegrounds:RPG or FG. Your videos made me discard those two and go with MT. They really showcase the power of MT and pretty much walked me through most of the things I wanted to do right away. The section on lighting and FoW is worth its weight in gold and I check daily to see if part 2 has been posted yet.
Amazing job. Thank you for your efforts.
Thanks for the compliments. I will be updating my screencast program(finally) in the next couple days and will be able to start work on tutorials again. The Vision and Light part 2 is high on the list to get done. Though there are a couple holes in my tutorial sequence that need to be patched before I get to it.
Quick question, in your tables video, what is the code you have for your macros that called the two tables you called? It just pasted the /tbl TableName into chat, but that’s exactly what I need.
Was the only code just the line
/tbl TableName
?
Thanks for the help.
Yep that was the only code. You can get more complicated with the table() function that is now available, but this was just an introduction. If your macro is just printing out your code and not running it you need to make sure “Auto Execute” is checked. It is typically selected by default. Just edit your macro and look towards the bottom of the edit window and you should find the option.
Great stuff, hope it keeps coming. Looking forward to the Macro tutorial.
Any advice on character sheet files? Most of what I do is multiple page pdfs. And through experimentation, I don’t think it takes those.
I have done character sheets two different ways. One is to use some application other then MapTool to track the character sheets, but that I can capture as an image. Then I import that image as the token handout. The characters and I can pop up the character sheets easy then, but you are limited to one sheet and it is an extra step.
The second way is to design the character sheet in MapTool using Frames.
The first way is more limited, but requires no work in learning macros and how Frames work. The second is very nice and convenient but you need to learn Frames and some basic HTML for formating.
This summer I should be covering some of the basic macro stuff including how to make a basic character sheet using Frames.
Awesome. Glad to hear it. I’ve been fiddling with macros myself, but haven’t been able to go much beyond programming my attacks, with stats defined by hidden constants (i.e. [h:BAB=6]). Haven’t been able to get into referencing outside variables or characters yet.
So… any idea on when you’ll get to the macro tutorials?
I know it’s only early summer still, but I’ve got a 4th edition game coming up and wanted to see the fancy stuff. ^_^
I just did a first draft of an Intro to Macros tutorial. I should have it out in a week or so. I doubt that it will help you much as it is the VERY basics for someone who knows nothing. I then plan on alternating between filling in the last couple gaps I have in the basic steps and the more advanced macro stuff. Keep in mind though that macros do so much that my tutorials will just cover a few of the main things. That will hopefully be enough that people will feel comfortable enough to delve into the Wiki for all the rest. Otherwise, I could do 30 tutorials the macros and still not cover everything. I plan on doing 4 or 5 covering most used techniques or functions.