VTT Interface
 

To improve usability with VTTs, can you include a URI mechanism similar to syrinscape so another application can navigate to a particular topic in RW and, optionally, a snippet within the topic (some topics are so long that the content you want isn't in the displayed portion). Further, a flag option should exist so the desired content is exported to xml so the VTT can itself import that specific data

This URI mechanism sounds like it would be the most useful for OpenRPG, MapTool or similar/derivative VTTs where hyperlinks can be sprinkled in more places than something like Roll20, but I'd love to see it as well despite my focus on Roll20 these days.

The auto-XML-export flag doesn't seem as attractive to me, and I can imagine it would take some serious extra work. This feature would almost exclusively benefit power-users like us who can script out specific conversion processes to translate the XML data from an assumed, non-guaranteed format into the VTT's data format.

While I'd marginally benefit from this secondary import flag feature personally, it's not something I would want LW to spend any significant extra time on considering I might as well export the whole batch of the items I want to import into my VTT in one shot, and write my script to import them all in one shot into the VTT data, instead of item-by-item.

This is the reason why breaking down large topics into smaller child topics is a good idea, so that the aim would be to have an entire topic visible on the screen. (It would also make the URI management simpler :-) )

If we have the export flag, the snippet specifier would almost not be necessary.

As for the breaking down topics, I will have to respectfully disagree. My most interesting topics may have several screens of history, and it makes no sense to me to create a new topic for such a situation

Oh, and on the issue at large, my VTT of choice is Fantasy Grounds, and I would be making an extension to where anyone using the extension could bring up a detail window with my RW content within it. RW dies not have scripting and most likely won't for years. Using my hybrid approach, I can essentially program the delivery of content from Fantasy Grounds, which can also share on a per user basis rather than the all or none approach currently the only way in RW.

RW should be able to do this. Responding to URI's is pretty common now.

When I was looking at the various VTTs, it did seem that Fantasy Grounds was the least likely to use alongside RW because FG already allows you to store all the text for the adventure/campaign within its own database; so there would be no point in having the adventure in RW as well as FG.

Most other VTTs don't provide for easy storage of the adventure text, so will be better complemented by having RW running alongside.

Farling, Fantasy Grounds does not have the outstanding features that RW has that helps you link content automatically and to structure your campaign world. It is somewhat laborious to build an equivalent structure in FG: believe me, I have tried.

The issue is that FG is fully programmable, and it would be very easy to import RW content into FG automatically.

Another issue with using the XML export functionality is that password-protected parts of the realm (e.g. purchased content) would not be available in the XML output (or presumably any URI-based interface) due to preventing redistribution of that material.

There is that problem.... but a lot of what I was saying was based on personal material

Would love to see this type of functionality. I solely use Fantasy Grounds for by VTT and love using it. I use realmworks for the players to track everything, particularly in large campaigns. I'm running POTA now and the players had realmworks open during out session last night to remember who they saw, what the rumors were, etc.

I also have all the POTA maps loaded into Realmworks with the flavor text loaded in so they can go back and view where they have been later. I further add color text to the flavor text to describe what happened in particular areas.

Its a fair amount of work, but they seem to really appreciate it!

I'd also like to see this feature implemented as it would help cut down on duplication and allow for a much more seamless session of gameplay.

+1 to this feature, this would make RW an even more versatile solution to most GMs

I just added Syrinscape URI support for Map Tool so would love to integrate Realm Works URI!

Waiting patiently...(content market first!)

+1

Would be very usefull, even though the calendars are higher on my personal wishlist.

I'd love to see this as well.

+1

Yes please! I am using MapTool as a battlemat/mini replacement in my face to face game. Right now I have to juggle the two programs. I would love to be able to keep everything in Realm Works and easily launch the VTT from a snippet the same way I can launch a HL portfolio from a snippet.

Justin that is not quite what this thread is about. This thread is so VTTs could control RW.

Ah. Got it.

That might be useful for me too. Anything that helps streamline my flow at game time is appreciated.

+1 from me too