How would we go about adding the descriptions to the datapad? My generator has all of the relevant fluff info filled in as well as talent text and it would be nice if the datapad would show that, how do I edit that in?

1. Go to the Data Editor, select your Data Set and export it. This will produce a .ZIP file.

2. Login to the fringer.space web-site and upload the .ZIP to the Data Set section.

3. Go to your iPad and click "Sync with Server Now".

You should now see all your customisations in Datapad.

I guessed that would be the option, however the downside there is that the one with the descriptions is the 'default' data set, that cannot be exported. Any ideas?

So played around with this (nice work btw), and it seems the app doesn't like seeing apostrophes, translating any instances of them into triple question marks.

So for instance, the phrase "Han hasn't been able to pay off his debts" gets displayed as "Han hasn???t been able to pay off his debts"

So played around with this (nice work btw), and it seems the app doesn't like seeing apostrophes, translating any instances of them into triple question marks.

So for instance, the phrase "Han hasn't been able to pay off his debts" gets displayed as "Han hasn???t been able to pay off his debts"

I'm guessing you pasted something from Word, which would suggest that isn't an actual ', but Word's bastardization of it in Windows-1250 encoding.

So played around with this (nice work btw), and it seems the app doesn't like seeing apostrophes, translating any instances of them into triple question marks.

So for instance, the phrase "Han hasn't been able to pay off his debts" gets displayed as "Han hasn???t been able to pay off his debts"

I'm guessing you pasted something from Word, which would suggest that isn't an actual ', but Word's bastardization of it in Windows-1250 encoding.

Sound like a distinct possibility. The App assumes that the text is UTF-8 encoded (if that means anything to you).

But either way, "plain text" should work, but I will check it out to be sure.

Btw, you can use all Oggy's markup in your text, such as ... for bold, and the other stuff for dice, etc. And you need to use [P] to create a paragraph break (for example in background text).

Btw, btw: another bug: if you have a force using character who has morality > 70 or < 30, then the datapad is adding the bonus strain/wound twice. A work around at the moment is to click on the strain/wound value and add an adjustment.

Because of the obvious bug potential, I recommend comparing the Datapad output with a print preview generated by the SWCharGen. If you find any differences let me know.

Something else I spotted.

If for your character you've renamed an item (such as changing "generic item" to something more specific), the app doesn't list the updated name. For instance, if a PC has "small generic item" on their sheet and was renamed to "pet loth-kitten", then the app just shows "small generic item"

Also, if the PC has a lightsaber hilt with a crystal attachment (such as a basic lightsaber hilt with a Dantari crystal), on the weapons tab it just shows the base stats of the hilt, and not the damage, crit value, and qualities that the crystal imparts. There is an "attachment" link that shows the values of the attachment, but it's not as intuitive as actually listing the damage, crit value, and special qualities in the regular weapon line.

Something else I spotted.

If for your character you've renamed an item (such as changing "generic item" to something more specific), the app doesn't list the updated name. For instance, if a PC has "small generic item" on their sheet and was renamed to "pet loth-kitten", then the app just shows "small generic item"

Also, if the PC has a lightsaber hilt with a crystal attachment (such as a basic lightsaber hilt with a Dantari crystal), on the weapons tab it just shows the base stats of the hilt, and not the damage, crit value, and qualities that the crystal imparts. There is an "attachment" link that shows the values of the attachment, but it's not as intuitive as actually listing the damage, crit value, and special qualities in the regular weapon line.

OK, I'll have a look at those.

Version 1.0.11 has just cleared the App store.

Here are the changes:

- Strain and wound adjustments due to morality was incorrectly doubled.

How would we go about adding the descriptions to the datapad? My generator has all of the relevant fluff info filled in as well as talent text and it would be nice if the datapad would show that, how do I edit that in?

1. Go to the Data Editor, select your Data Set and export it. This will produce a .ZIP file.

2. Login to the fringer.space web-site and upload the .ZIP to the Data Set section.

3. Go to your iPad and click "Sync with Server Now".

You should now see all your customisations in Datapad.

I guessed that would be the option, however the downside there is that the one with the descriptions is the 'default' data set, that cannot be exported. Any ideas?

You have to move your changes to a custom data set. This is not as difficult as it may sound.

1) First open the Data Editor and create a new data set by clicking New.

2) Select your new data set in the "SELECT DATA SET" drop down.

3) Then click the "Move/Copy Mode" checkbox.

In this mode, only customised items will be shown in the lists.

4) Now select all the items in each list by clicking the "Sel" checkboxes, then press "Move to Current".

This will move the customisations to your own data set (as you should see in the "DS" column which indicates the data set to which the change belongs).

5) Click save, and you are done.

Now you can export this data set, and upload it for import it into Datapad.

This is currently my favorite tool for running my character at the table. However like most things it can always use some feedback:

1) Credits are not updated from a re-uploaded character sheet, and from what I can tell there's no way to simply add credits to account for any gained during the session. Clicking on the credits area just brings up the buying panel and inputting a negative number does not do it at all.

2) A bit of an extension of the last one, there is very little instructions on how to actually run and use the datapad app, Oggdude's generator has a full readme manual that instructs people on how to precisely use it and its features, whereas there is nothing on the datapad, it may seem intuitive but it is not entirely intuitive and some stuff needs explanation. For example what does the lock feature do? Why is it even included?

3) The buying pane is a little bare and simplistic, could be expanded upon to show stats and other details on the item you are buying.

4) I play an astromech, and the datapad does not support the Arc Welder weapon which is listed as "INNATE0" with no skill, range, a damage rating of 1, and a dice pool of white dice???

5) Career is not listed for my characters at all, it lists the specializations, but not the career.

6) Visually it needs some work, the program lacks colour and it's not entirely clear what you can use as buttons to activate or go into certain areas.

This app has the potential to be THE app in the same way Oggdudes is THE generator people use for this game, this can become the number 1 player aid, it just needs a lot more work and attention.

As long as it is, for anyone who is interested in the App, it is really worth reading...!!

This is currently my favorite tool for running my character at the table. However like most things it can always use some feedback:

More in PART 2 ...

This behaviour is actually intended (assuming I understand what you mean), I will explain:

After you make changes in Datapad to various quantities, Datapad takes over the tracking of that quantity. This includes Credits, XP, Obligation, Morality, Duty, and the amount of items in your inventory. Changes are listed on one of 2 lists: the "Inventory" list, and the "Experience Earned and Acquired" list. If you delete all entries in these lists, then that amounts effected by the changes will revert to the amounts specified in your Character Sheet.

I do this because (AFAIK) it is not possible to "merge" changes made to the same amount (for example the number of Stun Grenades you are carrying) in both Datapad and in Oggdude's SWCharGen. What I recommend is that you track the amounts in Datapad during a session. Then after the session you can transfer the new totals (XP, Credits, etc) to the Character Sheet using SWCharGen (although you must do this with XP, it is not essential to do it with other amounts).

Anyway, if you want to keep everything in sync, this would be the way to do it, and you have the additional advantage that Datapad keeps a record (like a history) of what you have done.

Would it be possible to feed those changes back into the original sheet for the character generator. Keep the history in the datapad. Have the final tally for the session fed back into the original sheet so when you update the sheet the sheet has the correct data like the datapad? Cause I would think it would be helpful to the the GM to be able to have updated xml at the end of the session.

2) A bit of an extension of the last one, there is very little instructions on how to actually run and use the datapad app, Oggdude's generator has a full readme manual that instructs people on how to precisely use it and its features, whereas there is nothing on the datapad, it may seem intuitive but it is not entirely intuitive and some stuff needs explanation.

For example what does the lock feature do? Why is it even included?

This is a good example of a question that belongs in a Q&A list

The reason for the lock feature is to hide your Credits and XP totals from the other players (who may just see the amounts by accident). This can be useful in situations where you do not want other players to know exactly what they are dealing with (PvP in the extreme case, or just for sake of modesty in other cases).

3) The buying pane is a little bare and simplistic, could be expanded upon to show stats and other details on the item you are buying.

I will look into it, but it is not top of my priorities. The reason is because I assume the main buying experience will continue to be in Oggdude's program (i.e. between sessions). The buy panel in Datapad is really just intended for items you either pick up, or buy because the adventure or situation dictates it, or for re-stocking.

Nevertheless, Datapad can solve a particular buying problem that I think most players have:

The situation is that you are between sessions and have decided on a bunch of cool stuff you want to buy with your newly earned cash. Now here's the problem: the GM, quite rightly says something like: OK, but you will have to roll Rarity next session (and maybe do some role-playing) to see if you can get the stuff. So as a player you are now in a dilemma: you don't have the items yet, so they do not belong on your Character Sheet. On the other hand, if you don't add them to your Character Sheet, but manage to buy them, you may be missing some important adjustments (e.g. Soak) and additions (e.g. Dice Pools) to your Character Sheet.

Datapad solves this problem as follows:

1) You add all the items you want to buy to your Character Sheet in Oggdude's program (without changing your Credit total).

2) Then you load the new Character Sheet into Datapad, and adjust the inventory amount of the new items to 0 (this does not change your Credit total).

Because the items are on your Character Sheet, Datapad will not remove them (in step (2) above) from your inventory. Instead, it will just put 0x in front of each of the item's names, which indicates that you have zero in your inventory.

Now, during the next session, you can just click on the "buy icon" of an item when the opportunity comes up to acquire the item during the game. The most important parameters for purchasing the item (Rarity and Price) are shown in the dialog. The price you will pay often depends on a number of factors, including your powers of negation, so you can enter the price you pay in the dialog (or just click 100% to get the standard price, BTW: 25%, 50%, etc is mainly for selling items, not buying).

When you tap OK, the number of items is updated in your Inventory list, and the Credits are deducted from your total, as expected.

More in PART 3 ...

Anyway, if you want to keep everything in sync, this would be the way to do it, and you have the additional advantage that Datapad keeps a record (like a history) of what you have done.

Would it be possible to feed those changes back into the original sheet for the character generator. Keep the history in the datapad. Have the final tally for the session fed back into the original sheet so when you update the sheet the sheet has the correct data like the datapad? Cause I would think it would be helpful to the the GM to be able to have updated xml at the end of the session.

I totally agree, this would be very helpful!

And, yes, it would be possible. And, in fact, we are basically half-way there already:

Datapad stores the changes you make to the Character Sheet in a .xpad (XPAD) file. This file is in XML format, just like all the stuff created by Oggdude's program.

When you tap "Sync with Server Now", Datapad transfers the latest version of the file to the fringer.space Web-site. There you can login and download the file. The file name is similar to the name of your character.

In fact, if you make changes to the XPAD file on the server, the changes will be uploaded to Datapad the next time you tap "Sync with Server Now". So, if you know a bit of XML, you can make changes manually to the file and transfer them to Datapad (for example, remove all Inventory changes). I recommend that you make a copy of the file occasionally (by downloading it from the fringer.space server), just so you have a backup if something goes wrong, or you want to revert changes.

Also note that, if you change the name of your character, the connection to the XPAD file will be lost , and changes you have made will no longer appear in Datapad. This problem can be solved by overwriting the new XPAD file (which will be practically empty) on the server with contents of the old XPAD file.

So that is the first half of the story.

For the second half we would need Oggdude's help. He could create an import for XPAD files in the SWCharGen. Considering how sharp Oggdude is, this probably would not take him much time!

The input from the XPAD file could then be used to adjust various totals (Credits, XP, Duty, Obligation, Morality and Inventory levels) according to what happened in the last session.

That would be pretty cool...

4) I play an astromech, and the datapad does not support the Arc Welder weapon which is listed as "INNATE0" with no skill, range, a damage rating of 1, and a dice pool of white dice???

Would be much appreciated...

Strange. Is the spot for it, below the "PLAYER NAME", just blank?

Unfortunately, I am not an interface designer, and so there is a limit to what I can do. Particularly, when using colour. A good designer would know how to use colour without causing a sensory overload. I will have to see if any idea's come up...

Thanks for the encouraging words!

Feedback is not essential, and I will continue to develop the program regardless. But if no-one says anything then I must assume that everyone is happy with things as they are ... and that is most unlikely ...

Anyway, if you want to keep everything in sync, this would be the way to do it, and you have the additional advantage that Datapad keeps a record (like a history) of what you have done.

Would it be possible to feed those changes back into the original sheet for the character generator. Keep the history in the datapad. Have the final tally for the session fed back into the original sheet so when you update the sheet the sheet has the correct data like the datapad? Cause I would think it would be helpful to the the GM to be able to have updated xml at the end of the session.

I totally agree, this would be very helpful!

And, yes, it would be possible. And, in fact, we are basically half-way there already:

Datapad stores the changes you make to the Character Sheet in a .xpad (XPAD) file. This file is in XML format, just like all the stuff created by Oggdude's program.

When you tap "Sync with Server Now", Datapad transfers the latest version of the file to the fringer.space Web-site. There you can login and download the file. The file name is similar to the name of your character.

In fact, if you make changes to the XPAD file on the server, the changes will be uploaded to Datapad the next time you tap "Sync with Server Now". So, if you know a bit of XML, you can make changes manually to the file and transfer them to Datapad (for example, remove all Inventory changes). I recommend that you make a copy of the file occasionally (by downloading it from the fringer.space server), just so you have a backup if something goes wrong, or you want to revert changes.

Also note that, if you change the name of your character, the connection to the XPAD file will be lost , and changes you have made will no longer appear in Datapad. This problem can be solved by overwriting the new XPAD file (which will be practically empty) on the server with contents of the old XPAD file.

So that is the first half of the story.

For the second half we would need Oggdude's help. He could create an import for XPAD files in the SWCharGen. Considering how sharp Oggdude is, this probably would not take him much time!

The input from the XPAD file could then be used to adjust various totals (Credits, XP, Duty, Obligation, Morality and Inventory levels) according to what happened in the last session.

That would be pretty cool...

Why does he need to create an import? You know where the credits, duty, obligation morality and inventory are in the original sheets. Just write that back to the original xml file.

Why does he need to create an import? You know where the credits, duty, obligation morality and inventory are in the original sheets. Just write that back to the original xml file.

I have not considered this option before because of the potential for really messing things up when altering a file that belongs to another program. So I don't really want to go down that road...

Anyway, I appreciate your confidence in me that I would get it right!

Why does he need to create an import? You know where the credits, duty, obligation morality and inventory are in the original sheets. Just write that back to the original xml file.

I have not considered this option before because of the potential for really messing things up when altering a file that belongs to another program. So I don't really want to go down that road...

Anyway, I appreciate your confidence in me that I would get it right!

That is also easy to resolve. make a copy first as a back up. If it goes awry you delete the corrupted file and rename the back up and you are in business again

Why does he need to create an import? You know where the credits, duty, obligation morality and inventory are in the original sheets. Just write that back to the original xml file.

I have not considered this option before because of the potential for really messing things up when altering a file that belongs to another program. So I don't really want to go down that road...

Anyway, I appreciate your confidence in me that I would get it right!

That is also easy to resolve. make a copy first as a back up. If it goes awry you delete the corrupted file and rename the back up and you are in business again

So I would make a backup, then if SWCharGen crashes, or if the user notices something is wrong when loading the modified file he could download and use the backup. A workable solution.

However, if it was trivial to implement, I would say sure, why not? But it is tricky and would require quite a bit of work so its not on my priority list at the moment.

But, I would really like this thread to be part of a kind of democratic process where the user's of the program vote for what features are important to them.

As I have mentioned before, there is an almost limitless number of features that could be packed into a program like this. So if this feature is important to other users of the program, let me know...

I would agree, I'd must prefer if datapad and Oggdudes program were to 'talk' to each other and relay information to update information between the two. We already have the generators export work on the datapad, would make sense if the datapad could output an xml you can reimport back into the generator.

Of course the latest update is live, and while the generator does have bugs, it may be worth looking at getting the new stuff in the datapad, such as the new companions tab.

Come to think of it...I don't see any vehicles in the datapad either.

I would agree, I'd must prefer if datapad and Oggdudes program were to 'talk' to each other and relay information to update information between the two. We already have the generators export work on the datapad, would make sense if the datapad could output an xml you can reimport back into the generator.

Thats how I would like to see this handled, via the import/export mechanism. This way the user has control of the changes, and I don't have to change the SWCharGen character sheet.

Of course the latest update is live, and while the generator does have bugs, it may be worth looking at getting the new stuff in the datapad, such as the new companions tab.

Come to think of it...I don't see any vehicles in the datapad either.

I have no plans to add companions or vehicles any time soon (although this would be really cool!). So, you will have to stick to using printouts for this stuff at the moment.

Fortunately the character sheet information on vehicles (and companions I assume) is not so dynamic and does not change as much as the actual character information, so having this stuff in Datapad would not make that much of a difference to usability.

Just a typo note - on the Inventory & Gear page, it's spelled "Encumberance" when the correct spelling should be "Encumbrance". Thanks for the great tool!

Also, a Zabrak's automatic Advantage on Coercion shows up as a red die with a line through it, rather than the advantage symbol in Oggdude. I don't know if that generalizes to all automatic Advantage traits/gear/etc.

Just a typo note - on the Inventory & Gear page, it's spelled "Encumberance" when the correct spelling should be "Encumbrance". Thanks for the great tool!

Thx

I also just noticed I wrote "Fringers's" on the splash screen, so there are probably more typos lurking...

Also, a Zabrak's automatic Advantage on Coercion shows up as a red die with a line through it, rather than the advantage symbol in Oggdude. I don't know if that generalizes to all automatic Advantage traits/gear/etc.

Looks like the Auto advantage is just not implemented, I will add it.

The red dice with the line in it is a "difficulty downgrade". It will turn a red dice into a purple. You probably have that from some other Talent like INTIMIDATING.

When you click on the Coercion dice pool you will probably see that the downgrade is optional (which means you have to select it from the checklist). This will then cost you Strain which will be automatically added to your current Strain total when you leave the Dice Pool dialog.