New User Interface
 

First I wanted to say how much I absolutely love Hero Labs. I haven't posted before but I have been using HL for awhile now.

HL is a great system but one of my main concerns is the User Interface. The application looks like it was made in the early 2000's and could use a nice new interface. Realm Works for example has a beautiful face and I would love to get something going for HL.

On top of a more appealing interface I also think it would be good to have an "In Play Mode" with a better view for when you aren't designing the characters and more for when you are playing in game. Something that is also touch friendly. So many computers anymore have touch screens and it would be nice to have those options like the iPad app. Touch friendly buttons and maybe portrait mode.

If this isn't in the works would it be possible to get the source so I could design my own UI?

We do indeed have something "in the works" for this - we're not far enough along to announce anything yet, but we definitely want to update the UI, make it friendlier for touch screens, different sizes of screen (like portrait mode), etc. Keep an eye on our social media and monthly newsletter - when we have something to show, we'll post it there. :-)

Given the tools already provided by LWD, you can design your own interface.

You'll need the Authoring Kit if you don't already own it.

Though you probably can't change it as much as you'd like.

You can change the color, layout and others.

That is the best news I've had in awhile.

Thanks!

Android
Android
Android
Android

I'll grovel and beg if required.

Android would be nice but that doesn't help the people with Microsoft surface or people that use their laptops. A new UI would probably be much easier than an entirely new app.

Hopefully both in time!

One has the potential to significantly expand the player base however bringing in more funds to build all the things ;)

Where can I stand in line to be a beta tester? 😎

Or burn them to death, with the current crop of android pieces of crap lol.

(was meant to be a joke btw.)

I wholeheartily support the OP!

I just bought HL today and as a RW user I have to say: not only does it looks dated, how things work in HL are confusing as !@#$!

Just a few things I stumbled about in the first hour of using it:
- Why does it even show me updates that are already installed? I installed the HL main update like 5 times until I found a youtube video (thanks chiefweasel!) that told me I only need look out for the red !
- Where in HL can I see which books I own? I bought the rulebook package and the bestiaries and went through license update thing. So appearently I'm fine, but I don't really find a list of what I own.
- Why am I greeted with char creation everytime? I'm a noob, but I assume most of the time you don't want to create a new char, but edit one or even create other stuff (especially as GM)
- In the dashboard it took me a while to realize I have to click on the targeting thingy to activate a character instead of just clicking on the name
- And why is there no button to remove a char from the portfolio? Why the need to go to the menu?

This are just the things I can think of on top of my head from the first hour of using the tool! I'm am willing to learn and will consult youtube tutorials for that, but for many users the learning curve will be too steep and they will not buy after having seen the demo, I fear.
So a better User Interface will not only make the lives of existing users easier, but also lower the bar for new ones.

I don't mean to be rude, just want to give honest feedback. You're products are great overall!

PS: If you need a beta tester for the new UI, that isn't set in his ways yet, hit me up!

PPS: You might want to add a "legacy style" option, when designing the new UI as longtime users of any given software are usually no big fans of change ;-)