Using Pathfinder Data

[nuku]

When making your own data file, how do you avoid dependencies on licenses for non core files if you use non core options in your book?

 

[Mathias]

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what question you're trying to ask. Could you please clarify it?

 

[nuku]

If you refer a feat from, say, advanced race guide, does that mean you have to require the user have the advanced race guide data file, or is there a better way to do it?

 

[Mathias]

If your code is referring to a feat by its Id, and the user does not own the package with that feat, the Id will not exist in their copy of Hero Lab, so the code will not know what it is you're trying to accomplish.

 

[nuku]

So what is the most elegant way to handle this situation?

 

[Mathias]

To test whether your creation depends on another package, in the Develop menu, use the "Choose Supplement Packages" option to turn off the ones you want to test for dependancies. Then, use the Compile Data Files option at the top of the Develop menu to compile the Pathfinder files, and see if there are any error messages (and then remember to turn back on the supplement packages before you go back to using your copy).

 

[nuku]

Right. I know that I am using a feat that is in another book. Is it legit to copy that feat? Do I have to just remove reference to that feat and there no particular workaround and you just have to live with 'requires these data packages: List here'?

 

[Mathias]

No, I'm sorry, unless you have access to the structural files, if you've written code that depends on content from a package, there's no way a user can set things up so that someone else can use that material without owning that package.

 

[nuku]

The structural files for the Paizo book in question, or the custom file that refers to the Paizo book?

 

[Mathias]

You would need access to the files that define how the Pathfinder game system functions in Hero Lab. Those are not things we expose to the users.

If you're creating a package that will be sold through our Powered by Hero Lab program, then these are problems that we will handle once it's time to put your package on sale.

 

[nuku]

Ah? Is there an approval process? I have failed to get a reply regarding that through my support ticket on the matter.

 

[Mathias]

I see your case in the support inbox. Please give us time to respond, we've got quite a lot on our plates right now.

 

[AndrewD2]

If this is just for house rules you can use the tagcountstr option to check it.

hero.tagcountstr["HasFeat.???"] <> 0

I believe that's what the Community Player Pack uses as to not require the players to have every single package.

 

[nuku]

Excellent! I will pass that along to my hero lab programmer and see if we can't put that to work for a better file. Thank you very much.

 

[ShadowChemosh]

If this is just for house rules you can use the tagcountstr option to check it.

hero.tagcountstr["HasFeat.???"] <> 0

I believe that's what the Community Player Pack uses as to not require the players to have every single package.

Correct I use a combination of methods but using tagcount "String" and Assign String functions allows me to get around exactly what Mathias was talking about.

The only issue to keep in mind is that anything using a "soft" coded string search is going to take up more CPU usage. But often its worth the pay off.