From Obsidian Portal

[Globetrotter]

I am a new user.. and a confused user to boot. New software, ugh...

I have a lot of info on my Obsidian Portal site, is there an easy way to convert or move things over?

 

[EightBitz]

Nope.

 

[BoomerET]

Maybe use a spider and dump to flat files?

 

[Seregil]

If you mean, is there any automated way to import the information?

The answer is no.

I used OP before RW and, based on my experience, you will want to play with a test realm first, map out your real realm after THEN start importing your data. Copy/Paste will do wonders, but you need to structure the realm first.

 

[Globetrotter]

Thanks. I am trying to figure this all out. The annotations and fields and all these steps is much more complex than just typing it in OP.

I am slowing trying to move things over but I am not sure how. I watched a few tutorials on youtube, but they are not really all that helpful.

 

[Vargr]

Well, if you have specific questions, just ask.

As for getting a feel of the program and how it might be utilised, I would suggest starting a new realm and remember to tick the "Include Tutorial Content" when you give the realm its name. Then play around with it, have a look at how things interconnect, add a bastard son to the king and a little village where he grew up. That sort of things.

That should get you an idea how things can be done - not should - it is entirely up to you - there is no right way and no wrong way - but it always helps to understand the possibilities

If I remember correctly, there should be a little text-tutorial for the tutorial content. But I don't remember where, though...

 

[Farling]

Also, have a read of the start of the World Builder's Guide. It describes several different possible approaches to world building with RW.

 

[Mystic Lemur]

I second that. Be sure to at least skim through the included documentation. Play around and get used to the program or you're going to be frustrated when you realize you've been doing things the "hard way."

 

[MNBlockHead]

Also, take the time to browse these threads. Some members have very content-rich realms that they have sunk ungodly numbers of hours into and they have been kind enough to share screen shots. I find these VERY helpful to get a sense of how to organize your content.

 

[RavenX]

Ctrl + C for copy
Ctrl + V for paste
Ctrl + X to cut

Personally if I were moving a campaign from Obsidian Portal to Realm Works, I'd be using Cut and Paste rather than copy for the sheer purpose of being able to tell what I've already moved over. Ctrl + Z helps as well for undoing mistakes as you go. Especially if you have a lot of data on Obsidian Portal you'd like to transfer. This of course assumes you've set up the framework for the realm exactly as you'd like it, however. Definitely make sure you've morphed the realm files into your personal campaign/system style before moving anything. If you need to keep the Obsidian Portal, use copy and paste, and make notes in the GM section as you copy stuff over so you know what you've already done. It can be a lot of work but my players find it was better switching over. They love the fog of world aspect as it gives them a way of keeping up with the campaigns I run.

 

[ruhar]

I used OP before RW and, based on my experience, you will want to play with a test realm first, map out your real realm after THEN start importing your data. Copy/Paste will do wonders, but you need to structure the realm first.

Play around and get used to the program or you're going to be frustrated when you realize you've been doing things the "hard way."

So true. When I first started using RW I stumbled around. As I figured things out from trial and error as well as asking questions here and reading I ended up redoing my realm a couple of times. Each time was easier than the last.

I find it helpful to see how others are entering their info. A few people shared screen shots of their realms in a thread found here: http://forums.wolflair.com/showthread.php?t=52565

If you are going to Gen Con go to the RW workshops. They are a great help. The staff are very helpful if you have questions during the workshops and at their booth. Last year I dragged in my laptop so they could help me with a problem. Not only did they help me with the problem but they explained and showed me how to do containers so I could better organize my information. I can't sing their praises enough.

Bottom line, play around with the program, read, watch videos and ask lots of questions here.

 

[RavenX]

Personally, I like Realm Works over Obsidian Portal because of the way it creates the content links. Obsidian Portal required a bit of html knowledge outside of just adding text which makes it a bit clunky if you don't know the first thing out html code. I don't like how I had to format everything myself either. Realm Works is a bit more intuitive in this regard because writing with it feels like writing in a text program, so I can just bold or italicize things easily just like any other word processor would let me do. Without a reference constantly handy for Obsidian Portal I'd get frustrated trying to do things on it. Plus it wouldn't let me boot players from the campaign which really bothered me.

 

[Globetrotter]

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their kind and thoughtful comments.

I will do what all of you suggested and then ask questions at that time.

You are all correct that this program seem robust, which of course makes it confusing.
I still have no idea what a snippet is for and how to set up a landing page like OP, or even if I need one.

It's a lot to take in, but I have months before this campaign starts.

Thanks again

 

[rob]

I still have no idea what a snippet is for and how to set up a landing page like OP, or even if I need one.

The "landing page" is the "realm starting point topic", which is auto-created for you and the first topic you are shown when you initially load your realm. You can access it at any time by clicking on the "home" button at the top. It's right next to the back/forward buttons.

A "snippet" is any piece of content you add to a topic, whether it be text, an image, or something else. You can individually reveal snippets to the players as the game progresses.

The videos ought to greatly help with getting a handle on the basics. The folks here are extremely helpful, so definitely ask questions when you run into them.