Realm Works question...

[Jiriki13]

I want to know if this program is going to also be like a virtual table top program? I think the features sound pretty good so far, but I could figure out if this is or isn't going to be usable as a virtaul table top type program.

 

[liz]

Realm Works is not built to replace a VTT program, and that's not the direction we're going right now. It's possible we could go that route, but right now we see Realm Works as complementary to VTT programs and not in competition with them. Hero Lab already has integration with various VTT products, and we'd like to work with VTT companies to do the same with Realm Works.

If we ever decide to enter the VTT space with Realm Works, it will likely be in response to user demand and due to other VTT tools not meeting user needs.

I hope this answers your questions!

 

[monsterfurby]

Realm Works is not built to replace a VTT program, and that's not the direction we're going right now. It's possible we could go that route, but right now we see Realm Works as complementary to VTT programs and not in competition with them. Hero Lab already has integration with various VTT products, and we'd like to work with VTT companies to do the same with Realm Works.

If we ever decide to enter the VTT space with Realm Works, it will likely be in response to user demand and due to other VTT tools not meeting user needs.

I hope this answers your questions!

I actually find this encouraging. It's good to know that you're focusing on this being a campaign management tool first and foremost. Looking forward to it!

 

[AEIOU]

Please consider this a user demand due to other VTT tools not meeting user needs. But not until RW is on firm footing....

Lots of VTT choices are indeed available, but none are integrated with the other tools out there. This results in importing, cleaning up, adding tokens, tracking results, etc.

I'm having to do double work for most things right now. Two sets of maps. Setup of tokens is done out of context. Two sets of HL files. No access to notes/treasure/background during play or a robust history of the encounter to refer back to within RW unless you recreate it manually.

I can see Profantasy CC3 maps being editable and linked directly from RW as being quite doable. It would be great if RW could then auto-create a PNG/JPG from this much like HeroLab creates a statblock. This is an ideal situation that most 3rd party tools won't be able to take advantage of.

I don't see Fantasy Grounds, d20pro, maptools, etc. doing the same level of integration as they each have very different implementations and goals. They were created as completely standalone products.

Keeping RW agnostic is a great first step towards creating an agnostic VTT.

 

[monsterfurby]

What would be interesting further down the road would maybe be the ability to import one's Realm Works database or at least parts thereof (certain NPCs with description, maps, etc) into popular VTT software. I could imagine this to tie in well with sites like Roll20 which already have an API to support this, or offline tools akin to Maptool, etc.

Not necessarily a full integration, but possibly an export of character portrait + description to populate an external database, same with locations and plot notes.

 

[Jiriki13]

My friends and I currently use FGII for our VTT needs, but I want to run Iron Kingdoms and it's not in Hero Lab or easily added to FGII from what I can see.

 

[Eddy M]

Best practice for the "Identifier" entry

Hi. My question is what is the best practice for using the "Identifier" entry box? I have search the forms and manuals but have not found anything helpful.

I've have attached a screen shot of the area I am referring:

 

[Mystic Lemur]

I use it to set my general content apart from adventure/module specific content. Stuff that won't change between campaigns doesn't need a tag, but my Temple of Elemental Evil content gets a "ToEE" in the Identifier field.

Hope that helps.

 

[mirtos]

Personally, I hope Realms works does NOT become a VTT. Sometimes having one tool do everything is not a good idea.

I think the fact that Realms Works is marketting itself as complimentary is a much smarter thing.

 

[woobyluv]

Personally, I hope Realms works does NOT become a VTT. Sometimes having one tool do everything is not a good idea.

I think the fact that Realms Works is marketting itself as complimentary is a much smarter thing.

I agree, the big question is, which VTT works best with RW? For that matter, which campaign mappers compliment RW best?

 

[Kairos]

I agree, the big question is, which VTT works best with RW? For that matter, which campaign mappers compliment RW best?

It doesn't have VTT integration. As far as campaign mappers, you could use any image map file. I use Fractal Mapper, and have played with putting in maps exported from that (image file) as well as maps right out of gaming PDFs. RW lets you annotate images within the tool, so you can really take any map image and then add your content to it with pins and selectively reveal sections of the map in the player view. Simple, but powerful, since it lets you tie in any map to your content.

 

[woobyluv]

I think you misunderstand my question. I know VTT is not integrated with RW; I don't even want that. I am asking what VTT compliments RW best. Which Mapping software compliments the capabilities of RW best? I'd like to hear about different ones that are affordable (~$30) or free.

 

[mirtos]

I dont know if it "compliments" Realms Works or not, but Im a big fan of Maptools. Its free, configurable. Java based. Its easy to plug and play images, and control even certain campaign settings. In this way, I feel it does compliment Realms Works (though Ive heard other people on these forums say it doesnt, so your mileage may vary)

It has some of the best light and VBL (Vision Blocking Layers) out there. in some ways since each has its own fog of war, I could see it complimenting RW. RW for the big campaign maps, and MT for the individual VTT things.

The only thing about it: it uses a fair amount of memory for the server (the GM runs the server and the players connect to it). I still use it even for my in person game. (one computer for the GM view, and one computer for the player view) Also, as far as I can tell, theres no more development on it. The reason I like it over something like D20pro is that YOU get to run the server, and arent dependent on external websites.

Its a little more difficult when you are doing actual across the network games, but once you set up the proxy/pUNp, its easy to use.

I do most of my maps in either illustrator or CC3 and import them into Maptools and RW equally well.

 

[woobyluv]

Thanks mirtos, I'll look into those products and see if they fit my needs.

 

[mirtos]

Its actually "MapTool" so if you google it, google it that way. the organization is "RpTools" so that will help you google. (Id post a link, but that might be inappropriate here, even though its not a competing product)