Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 347
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I run RW on server and connect via RDP from the iPad. Doing that while preparing for session. During game I use laptop with full installation.
The past is a rudder to guide us, not an anchor to hold us back. Last edited by Valyar; February 16th, 2018 at 10:41 AM. |
#11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 161
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I have to chime in with my own thoughts on this. I have done a lot of testing, because it drove me nuts trying to pin point the cause (in some cases up to 5 times a night)
I tried very hard to make Realmworks run on the Surface, and here is my analysis. I have tried RW on 4 different types of machines: Machine 1 - Full Desktop - no issues (no surprise there) Machine 2 - Surface I5 4GB - Multiple crashes - even raised bug reports, usually when using the player view and the maps Machine 3 - Surface I7 4GB - Less crashes, but still crashed (interestingly it was opening Herolab files when it crashed here ...go figure) Machine 4 - Standard I5 Laptop with 12GB ram. - no crashes so far. My thoughts were that Unless you have one of the top end models, like the i7's you may run into problems. The moral of my story is, will it run, YES However, you may experience crashes, especially when you least want, or need it to (and forget trying to actually reproduce those crashes, I tried and tried and couldn't repeat them... but as soon as I stepped up to the game table, bam!) I don't use RW for Map or player handouts anymore, I have switched to Maptools and run 2 instances on the same machine. my 5cents worth. |
#12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,690
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4GB of RAM is very little RAM for Win 8 or 10. You were likely putting RW in a position where it was swapping out to disk a lot. Doing this with smart images, which are actually multiple layers managed by RW, is a fairly well known source of crashes.
The Surface I7 may have simply been faster at doing the switching, twice the processing threads than the I5 and more local cache, so you never crashed until you further taxed the OS by asking it to open another application. In short it would be unwise to get any device intended to run Windows 8 or 10 and more than lightweight apps with less than 8GB of Ram. This definitely includes any machine you intend on using RW on. my Realm Works videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZU...4DwXXkvmBXQ9Yw |
#13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 161
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Quote:
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#14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 781
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Quote:
You may be able to find a pro 3 cheap used too. Edit: It is a i5 with 4GB ram. Now I guess it may depend on the size of the realm. However I usually use my Sager gamer lappy, it is a bit heavy but it has a 17' screen. Exmortis aka "Scott" RW - Needs Rez spell HL - Game Master/Designer RPG Tools - Campaign Cartographer 3+, D20 Pro Ultimate Real Life - IT Security Hobby - Anything on water or ATV Last edited by Exmortis; February 20th, 2018 at 05:30 AM. |
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#15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 1,516
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To add to the usage comments: I mostly use Realm Works as a combined rulebook/sourcebook for my own adventure writing. I don't use the player view or Hero Lab and rarely use attached files (images, PDFs, etc.) of any type. YMMV. :)
My T100 has 2 GB of RAM. |
#16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,690
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Surface uses soldered in Ram so there is no simple way to upgrade. The best option is to choose the higher Ram option when you buy.
my Realm Works videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZU...4DwXXkvmBXQ9Yw |
#17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 707
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Well just to add thought to this conversation.. remember RW isn't very efficient anyway when it comes to "smart maps" ... until there is an improvement from 32bit to 64bit it will continue to struggle in the graphics area....
This is why, like others have mentioned, I don't use RW for the mapping. I look at RW as an electronic notebook, file cabinet to store game info. Relying on my own terrain building skills, and VTT maps driven through a real mapping software (in my case D20Pro) but Fantasy Grounds, Map Tools,CC3, Roll20 are all good and BETTER than RW at this... but they should be ...RW isn't a map tool nor a VTT. my 2cp DLG D&D> Pre 1e White Box Edition, 1e, 2e, 3.5 Currently, Set in the World of Greyhawk (The first, longest running and Best Campaign Setting) Software>Extensive use of all forms of MS Products, Visual Studio 2012, DAZ 3d, AutoCAD, Adobe Products. Gaming Specific>Campaign Cartographer, D20 Pro Alpha & BattleGrounds Beta Tester, World Builder, Dungeon Crafter, LWD Hero Lab, Realm Works, Inkwell Ideas Citybuilder & Dungeon Builder, Auto-Realm, Dundjinni Contributing Writer for TSR, WOC, & Canonfire |
#18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,690
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RW does not do tactical maps well at all but for high level stuff, city or country maps, it really cannot be matched.
my Realm Works videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZU...4DwXXkvmBXQ9Yw |
#19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 707
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Quote:
I guess my expectations are a bit higher.. YMMV.... to each his own. I only comment to this for those new to visiting the forum and reviewing the capabilities of the software... so they don't enter into a purchase with unrealistic expectations. Because Realmworks in its current state is mediocre at best as a software mapping tool. The list of dysfunctional and half baked features have been visited on more threads than can be counted. D&D> Pre 1e White Box Edition, 1e, 2e, 3.5 Currently, Set in the World of Greyhawk (The first, longest running and Best Campaign Setting) Software>Extensive use of all forms of MS Products, Visual Studio 2012, DAZ 3d, AutoCAD, Adobe Products. Gaming Specific>Campaign Cartographer, D20 Pro Alpha & BattleGrounds Beta Tester, World Builder, Dungeon Crafter, LWD Hero Lab, Realm Works, Inkwell Ideas Citybuilder & Dungeon Builder, Auto-Realm, Dundjinni Contributing Writer for TSR, WOC, & Canonfire |
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#20 |
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