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Feature Request: Interactive character sheet for PC?

T

Techgnosis

Active member
So I saw there is a current beta version, and was hoping this feature would be added in a new version, but doesn't seem to be the case.
I *hate* my ipad, and when it dies I will not be replacing it. Sadly I do love Hero Lab on it. At this point I have come to the sad but clear understanding that an Android version isnt going to happen.
My question is what are the chances of adding an interactive character sheet tab, similar to the ipad version? Most folks I know who use Hero Lab use either a laptop, or more commonly, a Surface tablet.
 
Yeah, this comes up every so often. With the rising popularity of Windows 10 hybrid PCs it would be nice to have the tablet interface for Windows, though I'd want it to have landscape as well as portrait mode since I Pathfinder on a touchscreen laptop.
 
+1 for me.

I only ever use HL on a laptop, and have no plans whatever to buy an iPad. I love using HL at the table, but the interface is not particularly well suited for at table play in its current form.
 
I have been borrowing a Surface Pro 4 from work to play with, and I have to say using Hero Lab as a GM running the games is just fantastic on that thing, especially with the awesome pen that comes with the Surface. It works like a dream. Using it as a player, though, still leaves much to be desired. I have never used the iPad app, so I can't speak to that, but an interface for PC that is better suited as an interactive character sheet would be awesome.
 
I am the opposite and so is my entire group.

We started as 7 PC users, then slowly three shifted to their IPADS.

Now one of those has gone back to PC and the others running MACs with same PC interface.

So far with out exception it is faster, cleaner and less cumbersome to use the PC version, especially in a high buffing group. Our experience was not good, IPAD users were slower and always scrolling and hunting for what we can do in two or three mouse clicks.

On my SP3 as much as I loved the pen, the lack of a scroll mechanism made it impossible to use in the end, the HL pop-ups are not static nor have a "clickable" scroll bar, so your left with no easy way to read the entire window of text. However on the tac console? Yeah I can see the pen being pretty slick.

However, what I would not give for better high PPI screen scaling. in weapons window for example attacks text gets buried under the weapon name.
 
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I have never tried running HL as a substitute for a paper character sheet - I might have a go when I start being a player in a CofC game, rather than a GM. I did think iPad would be the way to go (and HL doesn't have CofC character sheets on the iPad yet) but if people find that a PC works well, I could try my laptop.

Thanks for the idea.
 
Exmortis said:
On my SP3 as much as I loved the pen, the lack of a scroll mechanism made it impossible to use in the end, the HL pop-ups are not static nor have a "clickable" scroll bar, so your left with no easy way to read the entire window of text. However on the tac console? Yeah I can see the pen being pretty slick.
Click to expand...

Two-finger scrolling on the touchpad of my Dell XPS12 seems to work just fine in the pop-up information boxes.

(Only mentioning Dell since everyone else keeps mentioning Microsoft products.)
 
Lexin said:
I have never tried running HL as a substitute for a paper character sheet - I might have a go when I start being a player in a CofC game, rather than a GM. I did think iPad would be the way to go (and HL doesn't have CofC character sheets on the iPad yet) but if people find that a PC works well, I could try my laptop.

Thanks for the idea.
Click to expand...

Once you use HL at the table, on PC or Tablet you will never ever go back to paper. When you have a Bard who sings, casts a buff, a sorc who buffs, a pally with radius affects all being done in a combat, with enemies who debuff?

Hero Lab is a god send, once you add spell and class abilities to tab, they are a click away from affecting you, and HL takes care of it all. We would have to spend many minutes re calculating our sheets all the time, but no more.

As GM, Hero Lab is even more useful. You can build the encounters run it all through the tac console and when monsters are debuffed, buffed like players you click to their sheet, and add the affect. Truly awesome.

Our current GM in Pathfinder Rise of the Runelords cannot stop raving about the Adventure Path encounter packs. He was our last hold out to move to HL, and now its biggest benefactor. Being able to load up the party in one portfolio, then simple load in the encounter organized like to book, and boom your off and running.

A few years ago GMs had the only computer at the table for word, PDFs etc. Now we all use PCs (lappies or Surface Pros) or tiny MAC lappies, and the GM often has two computers running and one or two screens facing the party.

though we still use minies on the big table, I am the GM who may bring VTT to the group, we will see how D20Pro Ultimate finishes.
 
@Techgnosis, if you're talking about the "change interface role" menu, that's actually for the Hero Lab team to use for debugging - it lets them load the iPad user interface in the main version of Hero Lab to see how things look. The interface isn't fully supported, so it's not available for use in the desktop version.

We're discussing some options for tablet users, but we don't have anything to announce right now. Believe me when I say that we hear the Android and Windows users. :)
 
liz said:
@Techgnosis, if you're talking about the "change interface role" menu, that's actually for the Hero Lab team to use for debugging - it lets them load the iPad user interface in the main version of Hero Lab to see how things look. The interface isn't fully supported, so it's not available for use in the desktop version.

We're discussing some options for tablet users, but we don't have anything to announce right now. Believe me when I say that we hear the Android and Windows users. :)
Click to expand...

Liz,
No I was referring to the tab marked "Play" on the iPad. Basically that (In my opinion) needs to be an option on the "desktop" version as well so it can be used on laptops or Windows tablets.
Pretty much, what Exmortis said in his last post. Keeping track of a party full of buffs / debuffs on paper is a pain in the tushy, the iPad makes the math SO much saner.
 
Techgnosis said:
Liz,
No I was referring to the tab marked "Play" on the iPad. Basically that (In my opinion) needs to be an option on the "desktop" version as well so it can be used on laptops or Windows tablets.
Pretty much, what Exmortis said in his last post. Keeping track of a party full of buffs / debuffs on paper is a pain in the tushy, the iPad makes the math SO much saner.
Click to expand...

Techgnosis, currently you make it sound like all you are asking for is a way to turn on/off buffs that you might obtain. This is currently doable already in Hero Labs PC version.

In the "in play" tab you can turn on abilities like "power attack" and class abilities. As for the ability to get adjustments from stuff like spells cast on you or abilities like the bards "inspired courage" you can use the adjust tab. And for things like ability damage you can look under other adjustment.

For example to turn on "inspire courage". Go to the Adjust tab select "Add new adjustment" under "Conferred ability adjustment" and select "Bard: Inspire Courage" from the list and select the correct bonus value using the arrows or clicking on the "+1" and filling out the value.
 
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Togainu said:
Techgnosis, currently you make it sound like all you are asking for is a way to turn on/off buffs that you might obtain. This is currently doable already in Hero Labs PC version.
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As part of it. The iPad version (if you have never used it, and part of what I am hoping to see added) includes an interactive character sheet, including dice rolls that include the adjusted math. Math and me do not get along, so having it calculated for me is a godsend, particularly when there are piles of dice involved.
 
Techgnosis said:
As part of it. The iPad version (if you have never used it, and part of what I am hoping to see added) includes an interactive character sheet, including dice rolls that include the adjusted math. Math and me do not get along, so having it calculated for me is a godsend, particularly when there are piles of dice involved.
Click to expand...

I guess that is where our opinions differ I will never roll digital dice for my games (can sort of see the appeal for some though). For the simple reason they will never accurately represent what the actual dice goes through and the way those things affect a roll. Together with the bond you can build with your actual dice by the situations it helped you through :)

As for making the math easier, I guess that is true. If I was in your situation I would actually try to stay clear of it myself even more in that case. Cause it gives you extra practice and over time will become easier. But that is own preference.
 
I never said the dice were accurate, that is something that really depends on the craft. Just that programming doesn't accurately represent dice rolls because of a lot of factors. From being reliant on for example processor clock or other "random" number generator to the never getting wear and tear on the dice that will effect it eventually.

But as I said for me it is mostly about building the bond with your dice for getting through the tough situations together. Just make sure you do have well made dice just for fairness if going that route
 
Just to chime in. I never allowed computer random dice rollers at our table for a long time. Because they are not truly random. Yes they get "close" but its still based on a logical pattern. Because of the iPads at the game table I have finally relented and let the players use it if they wish as it helps speed up the game. Most gamers are not good with Math....

Player: I rolled a 17 +5 is 25!
Me: :confused:
Player: No wait 27!
Me: :mad:
Player: 23!
Player 2: Did you add in Bless?
Player: 24!
Me: Is that your final answer? :cool:

On the other side I am with Togainu I like my dice. I like rolling dice as a player (not as DM). So when I do get to play I have my iPad but I almost never use it roll dice. I just like the feel and sound of the dice clattering on the table. :p
 
I am a dice guy myself, I didn't mean to target you Tman, just pointing out that dice are not all that accurate, and as you stated neither are dice rollers.

I spent a fortune on metal dice, and boy did they look sweet...for about 1 month. Now I am whole regretting the purchase. Nicked, chipped, dented, I am now looking to replace them with not even 6months of use.

So either Game science dice or Stone dice, have not decided.
 
Exmortis said:
I am a dice guy myself, I didn't mean to target you Tman, just pointing out that dice are not all that accurate, and as you stated neither are dice rollers.

I spent a fortune on metal dice, and boy did they look sweet...for about 1 month. Now I am whole regretting the purchase. Nicked, chipped, dented, I am now looking to replace them with not even 6months of use.

So either Game science dice or Stone dice, have not decided.
Click to expand...

Damn you, now I went and ordered myself some game science dice... :)

I'm one of those "dice collectors" and I was intriqued by their d3, d5, d14, d16, d24 dice so got one of the 12 dice sets and 2 d20 for all my players for Christmas :)

You can NEVER have enough dice! (And I'm with the "I'll never use digital" dice. I feel at that point we might as well stay home and all get on a MMORPG then.)
 
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