XML Output Question

[berdman]

I have searched through the forums and have not found a reference to this.

I am looking for an XML Schema, DTD or other documentation on the XML output that Hero Lab can produce. Something at a basic level that define the universe of Tags/attributes.

Primarily for Pathfinder, but M&M 3rd and Shadowrun would great as well.

Thank You

[berdman]

I found the link to the DTD in the User Manual, but it is missing. It is missing on both Mac and PC. I have searched the hero lab directory and cannot find it.

[Duggan]

Yeah, I noted that myself and posted it as a bug, but haven't gotten a reply. I have a C# program that parses a given set of XML data and tries to create classes that would store the data. I started on something to generate XSDs, but got sidetracked into another project. Would an XSD exporter be useful to you?

Unfortunately, the default Microsoft one (XSD.exe) can't handle nesting of a keyword within itself, so it's pretty useless.

[TCArknight]

I knew I'd seen something like this come up before. There's a thread over in the Authoring Kit section with a link to the DTD (message 4 in the thread).

http://forums.wolflair.com/showthread.php?t=9931

[berdman]

I had looked at that before. What I am looking for is the DTD for the XML Portfolio Output, the xml file you get when you export the character.

I think that is the DTD for the actual data file for the game system.

If I am confused that would be great, as my search would be over.

Thanks for the help.

[ShadowChemosh]

As a tip what I do is simply use the bottom most option on the Save Custom Output. As that option simply outputs the RAW XML. Maybe its just me but I find it easier to read RAW XML then DTD actually.

[Colen]

If you look at the bottom of the Pathfinder manual, there's a link to the DTD in the "Custom Output DTD" section - I just tested it and it appears properly for me. You can do one of two things to open it:

1) If you have an application configured to handle .dtd files, you should be able to click to launch that application.

2) If not, you can right-click on it and choose "Copy Link Address", then paste the filename into the application you want to view it in - for example "file:///C:/ProgramData/Hero%20Lab/Data/pathfinder_dtd/customoutput.dtd". If you go to File -> Open in Windows Notepad and paste that, you'll open the document.

Hope this helps!

[berdman]

Thanks.

Found it there.

Figured out the confusion.

The link under Help Hero Lab Manual has the wrong link.

The link under the game specific manual is correct. Chalk this one up to a lose nut on keyboard.

[berdman]

Originally Posted by ShadowChemosh

As a tip what I do is simply use the bottom most option on the Save Custom Output. As that option simply outputs the RAW XML. Maybe its just me but I find it easier to read RAW XML then DTD actually.

I agree reading the XML is easier then reading the DTD, but the DTD makes automated parsing much easier, and also points me to all the information, so I know what can be output for a character.

[Colen]

Originally Posted by berdman

Thanks.

Found it there.

Figured out the confusion.

The link under Help Hero Lab Manual has the wrong link.

The link under the game specific manual is correct. Chalk this one up to a lose nut on keyboard.

Ah, thanks for the note about this. I'll get the broken link fixed.