GM pointer in Player View

JustinThomason · June 16th, 2015, 10:59 AM

I had a thought of something that would be very useful to me.

When using the Player View on a second monitor, there are times when I want to point out a specific point on the Smart Image map. Right now, if I want to draw attention to something, I have to move the mouse cursor to the second monitor and swirl it around the point of interest.

This works okay right now because I am facing the monitor, but I want to eventually set up a monitor as a GM screen, so I wouldn't be able to see what I am doing.

My potential solution is based on a tool used by the VTT MapTool. Users connected to a server can hold the space bar to turn their mouse into a pointer that can be seen by everyone connected to the server (sort of a big arrow graphic with the user's name beside it). I would like to suggest a similar construct where the pointer can be turned on over the Player Preview tab, and it is mirrored on the Player View display. That way the GM could just tell the players "look here" to highlight important information.

I am away from my gaming system now, but if anyone wants to see a screen shot of the function I am talking about from MapTool, I would be able to attach it later this evening.

MNBlockHead · June 16th, 2015, 01:50 PM

This would be nice. In my setup, the display is behind me, off to the side. I have to swivel around and point with my finger or move the cursor around. A laser-pointer or highlighter style cursor would be a nice touch.

ShadowChemosh · June 16th, 2015, 02:21 PM

Yep I agree this is very good idea. I currently use a Green Laser Pointer as green displays better on a LCD monitor than Red.

But having this built in would be nice...

Kendall-DM · June 17th, 2015, 09:39 AM

+1 from me.

Vargr · June 18th, 2015, 01:12 AM

+1 from me

gloranphile · June 18th, 2015, 07:03 AM

Oh yes, a huge +1.

I don't know why I didn't think of this - it bugs me when I'm sharing my screen with the players at the table and the one remotely and the latter can't see what I'm pointing at...

MNBlockHead Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Twin Cities Area, MN, USA Posts: 1,325 June 16th, 2015, 01:50 PM	This would be nice. In my setup, the display is behind me, off to the side. I have to swivel around and point with my finger or move the cursor around. A laser-pointer or highlighter style cursor would be a nice touch. RW Project: Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition homebrew world Other Tools: CampaignCartographer, Cityographer, Dungeonographer, Evernote
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Kendall-DM Spy Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Van Nuys, California Posts: 1,220 June 17th, 2015, 09:39 AM	+1 from me.
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gloranphile Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 437 June 18th, 2015, 07:03 AM	Oh yes, a huge +1. I don't know why I didn't think of this - it bugs me when I'm sharing my screen with the players at the table and the one remotely and the latter can't see what I'm pointing at... D100 for life!
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