Looks good. I figured the caster sheet would end up in landscape format. I managed to cram my original layout suggestion into portrait (using the typewriter tool in Acrobat standard), but the text is pretty small, and certain fields ended up with some extreme abbreviations (such as "1/L:10ftcu"). Looks like you got the en-masse field adjustments working, so huzzah! Need to start using this soon.
After reviewing the caster sheet in greater depth, a few adjustments are warranted.
{1} Some spells have a duration of defined time or until discharged. I would suggest making "Until Discharged" a check box similar to "Dismissable". (Examples include: Geas/Quest or Lesser Geas, Magic Mouth, Magic Stone)
{2} It would be good to allow the user to enter a monetary value (in GP) for the focus and/or material components. This value would not need to display in the main table, so long as the Javascript window retained the content.
{3} Under Area (Affected Area), cubes should have a user-defined size rather than pre-defined sizes. (Example: purify food & drink uses 1-ft cubes). Some spells (such as walls) also use squares instead of cubes.
{4} Add "line", "ray", and "projectile" as options under Area (Affected Area). These wouldn't need defined distances, since they are defined by Range.
{5} There should be a separate column for maximum number of targets. It should be calculated as # plus # per # levels above level #. (Default values should be 0,0,1,0, respectively.) A check box should be provided to indicate that the number of targets depends on creature size (i.e. larger creatures count as multiple targets). The box would need a "clear all" button for spells with an area but no maximum targets. Only an integer (and possibly a "(sz)" tag) would need to show in the main table. (Examples include: teleport, haste, remove fear, magic missile, scorching ray)
{6} Under Duration, add a check box for "Affects Objects".
{7} Total Prepared should be renamed "Prepared or Cast" to accommodate spontaneous spell casters. Since this isn't tied to the prepared spells column, the name change shouldn't create any confusion.
{8} The row for Remaining spells does not adjust based on the number of spells prepared or cast (either in its own section or the main table). Perhaps this row should be renamed to "Total Spells Per Day".
{9} I noticed that the DC for saves does not calculate unless spells/day is filled in for that spell level before the save parameters are defined. Not sure if this is fixable, but it is an unexpected dependency. Fortunately all the saves recalculate when either Caster Level or Casting Ability Modifier is adjusted, so someone who fills in the top section last won't need to retouch all the save boxes.
{10} Not sure if it can be added, but the subschool column could use a check box for "Mind Affecting" when the Enchantment school is selected. Maybe it isn't important at present, but I still remember the restriction on the 3rd edition feat "Force of Personality", and it's possible that a similar scenario will occur in the future. It may also be relevant for immunities.
Which version is this you're referring to, 1.0 (portrait layout) or 1.1 (landscape layout)?
Landscape (v1.1).
I also made a couple descriptive errors.
The check box for Affects Objects {6} should be under saves, not duration.
For the suggestion of the "max targets" column {5}, I missed an aspect. It should read as follows:
(#1) plus (#2) per (#3) levels above level (#4), maximum (#5)
Calculated as:
c = current caster level
n = #1 + ( if (#4>c) then 0 else rounddown(#2*((c-#4)/#3)) ) end
result = if (n > #5) then #5 else n end
With default values of:
#1=0
#2=0
#3=1
#4=0
#5=99
Hope all the critique and suggestions are helpful.
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Updated the font colors for loads and lift limits, total inventory weight now updates to match font colors with appropriate weight category to better visualize character encumbrance. Also added option to toggle armor and shield as "unequipped" within the sheet, to prevent deleting values entered.
MAJOR UPDATE: you can now save your form/character data as an exported *.xfdf data file, and also import from those files. This should alleviate some frustration when new sheet updates are released. Also, I changed the huge red "Erase Everything!" button to a more manageable "Options" button. This is where you will find commands to open/save character data. This also allowed me to remove some amount of user error in regards to accidentally erasing the entire sheet. Instead of a single click to delete everything, you now have a few confirmation gateways.
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Upon Review, there are a few things that I have trouble with over your caster sheet, one, this sheet is very much tailored for "Prep" Casters, but only if you cast each spell once, and don't prep the same spell multiple times. I am usually the party healer and use an Oracle, so I use "Cure" spells a ton. Is there a way you could take something like Dyslexic Studios Specific sheets, but turn them into something for General Casters? Having multiple check boxes and such makes it a lot easier for spontanious casters. Also, it may just be my software, but if I switch my bags from a regular bag to an "EX" space, I have to re-click on all my inventory for it to factor in correctly, has this been an issue for anyone else?
If I might suggest another project in your copious spare time. :)
Actually, one project and two improvements...
Improvement :
Tab ordering. Currently, when you tab from one field to the next, you bounce around the sheet randomly. If you could set the tab order so that tabbing logically goes to the next field (IE: From skill ranks to skill miscellaneous instead of to fort save for example), that would be awesome and save me a bunch of time (I currently keep finding myself in the wrong field).
Any way to get the stats in standard order? Str/Dex/Con instead of Str/Con/Dex. It throws people off when they look at it the sheet.
Project :
NPC forms. Say, 2 per page, just the minimum needed for an NPC (stats, saves, class, 8 blank skill entries, 8 blank feat entries, attack/defense block).
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How is this done?
Also, I changed the huge red "Erase Everything!" button to a more manageable "Options" button. This is where you will find commands to open/save character data.
Tab ordering.
That's a rather irritatingly slow and tedious work in progress.
Any way to get the stats in standard order?
I've had others request this previously, and have been reluctant to change it. Mostly, my reluctance stems from the source of my influence for the main sheet: sadie's sheets at Dyslexic Studeos.
there are a few things that I have trouble with over your caster sheet
I'm having trouble with ALL of my caster sheet. My goal is|was to consolidate relevant information into a single source, and have that source be a form-fillable PDF. What I've released so far has turned out to be more of a "proof of concept" than what I had initially intended it to be. Everything you have mentioned here, plus the plethora of faults that Yaba mentioned above, are forcing me to seriously consider pulling it from my site. At least until I manage to give it a major design overhaul.
I'm also contemplating scrapping the caster sheet entirely, as I believe there are better tools available which can accomplish the same tasks far more efficiently. As a player, I wouldn't use my own caster sheet in it's current form. And that troubles me more than anything else.
NPC forms. Say, 2 per page, just the minimum needed for an NPC
This... this I would be more optimistic about. What I'm currently using, as a GM, is Kyle Olson's Combat Manager to customize NPCs, then I've just been printing them out as PDF files. (there are also free PDF printer|spoolers available if you don't own a copy of acrobat pro)
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Is there a caster PDF out there that you WOULD recommend?
PDF? No, not a form-fillable one. What I use is SpellGen 2.0, with a custom PFSRD resource file. The file I use though, it's mostly configured for my Priest that I played, and it only has the spells that Pathfinder added or changed from D&D 3.5e. It's about as bare-bones as it needs to be in order for me to make my spell list.
What I was trying to do here, was create a form that mimics the output of SpellGen. The only other caster sheet that I've ever enjoyed were those from Ema's. But, because they added actual content that wasn't OGL, a C&D order was given and they're no longer functioning.
If I had to recommend a spreadsheet type of spell sheet, I would go with either this one (requires OpenOffice, which is free) or SpellForge. But those are both, again, mostly D&D3.5e. I'd imagine with a slight bit of tinkering you could re-purpose them for PFRPG though.
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I would go with either this one (requires OpenOffice, which is free) or...
Oops... turns out that wasn't the sheet I intended to refer people to...
I pulled it out of my personal archives from D&D 3.5 characters and put it in my dropbox public folder for now. You can nab it HERE though.
I also converted it to an *.xlsx file (excel) but haven't tinkered with functionality of it, so this version might be broken: HERE you go.
If anyone wants to convert it over to Pathfinder, I forgot where I found it apparently... so permission cannot come from me to do so. Though, the task does seem quite daunting...
EDIT: Nope, found it. Sent an email to the address listed, inquiring...
One, this sheet is very much tailored for "Prep" Casters, but only if you cast each spell once, and don't prep the same spell multiple times.
Actually I think the current caster sheet design can handle this reasonably well.
For casters that prep a spell multiple times, there's the option to copy or delete a line. Just be sure to leave enough open lines at the bottom. If you don't prep a spell at all, leave one line intact (and unchecked) to preserve the info.
A typical caster would overflow to additional sheets by mid levels, and it's perfectly reasonable for a wizard (who would keep multiple spell books in game) to split their spell tracking sheets by level (0-2 on one, 3-5 on a second, and 6-9 on a third).
Classes like the cleric, which can draw from the entire class spell list on a daily basis, might favor a pre-filled class-specific sheet, if only to save the effort of filling in all the spell descriptions... but there's nothing stopping someone from filling it all in once, exporting, and sharing the export with the community. (For this scenario, I'd limit each page to the spells of a single level.)
While it's true that the "prepared" and "cast" check boxes are wasted for spontaneous casters, they don't take much space and can just be ignored. The landscape layout has enough room that the width of two check boxes won't be missed. I do plan to use the spell sheet for a spontaneous caster, and my solution is to just track the expended spells in the table at the top.
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I have added a dialog window for itemizing skill ranks for each class in the next update (v2.6.1). That should allow you to designate your additional skill ranks from things such as "Skilled" and "Finding Haleen" each level. I also added a verification for the favored class bonus field values. That way you can't enter more values into the fields than you merit for your favored class levels. I'm also still working on manually arranging the tab orders, that's gonna take me a while though...
I also tried to rethink the whole spellcaster sheet the other night. It basically ended with the necessity to enter an entire spell database into the PDF as several scripts. The intent was to allow either a selection of available spells for your caster class & level (filtered and presented via dropdown box), or to allow you to enter custom text values. Upon choosing a spell, it populates the fields based on the spell database scripts.
Here's the logic I came up with
Once I got to that point it dawned on me that using a spreadsheet is far more efficient. Even as a printed sheet. It handles the overflow for the user better too, by simply adding rows of data. Casters that can draw from their entire list would benefit more too, as a spreadsheet could potentially populate every available spell - not just those prepared.
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A few bugs scurried out of the woodwork on me. The details are posted to my website on my To Do List for those curious. They mainly involve how your dex bonus to AC is calculated under certain circumstances, as well as how temporary strength scores impact loads & lift limits.
There are also suggested temporary fixes which you can use in the meantime. The fixes will be released with version 2.6.1 once I finish arranging the tab order. I might be vulnerable to coercion in regards to releasing them earlier than that. I've got one fixed, and the other shouldn't take much time either.
The tab order is attrocious though, I agree, and it needs to be addressed. I'm sort of using those bug fixes as motivation to finish manually rearranging that. The first page took me nearly three hours of dragging/dropping due to the number of "fields" on it. The inventory page is only going to be worse when I get to it.
I'm also planning on implementing a way to apply and display modifiers that result from the various loads/lift categories, but that could be included with 2.6.2 also.
I just want to refrain from pushing out too many tiny updates too frequently, so you guys don't have to constantly change your character sheets around. On that note though: how are the options to load/save character data working for everyone?
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Also, two questions:
1) is it possible to have more than a single favored class?
2) is there a mathematical equation that dictates the load/lift values for medium creatures?
(I currently assign load/lift values based on the table in the book, I would like to trim down some code by using an equation if possible.)
Also, two questions:
1) is it possible to have more than a single favored class?
2) is there a mathematical equation that dictates the load/lift values for medium creatures?(I currently assign load/lift values based on the table in the book, I would like to trim down some code by using an equation if possible.)
1)Yes, I think Half-Elves have 2 favored classes by default, if not I'm sure the traits can get you a second favored class.
2)Probably, but I don't know it off hand.
Just played around with this sheet. I really like it. Excellent job.
One problem that I found though. Under defenses, the Dex modifier isn't showing up, nor is it being included in the calculations.
Also, throw my vote in on correcting the ordering of the abilities on the first page.
Just played around with this sheet. I really like it. Excellent job.
One problem that I found though. Under defenses, the Dex modifier isn't showing up, nor is it being included in the calculations.
Also, throw my vote in on correcting the ordering of the abilities on the first page.
Ok. I've been playing around with it further and I think I've figured it out. The Dex modifier only shows up under Defenses if a max AC Dex value is inserted under Armor. Hopefully this helps you with fixing it.
Keep up the good work on this excellent character sheet.
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Just played around with this sheet. I really like it. Excellent job.
One problem that I found though. Under defenses, the Dex modifier isn't showing up, nor is it being included in the calculations.
Also, throw my vote in on correcting the ordering of the abilities on the first page.
Ok. I've been playing around with it further and I think I've figured it out. The Dex modifier only shows up under Defenses if a max AC Dex value is inserted under Armor. Hopefully this helps you with fixing it.
Keep up the good work on this excellent character sheet.
It was actually updating the AC total prior to updating the max dex. I re-ordered the process for it though. Whew... took a bit to pin that one down too!
I also switched the DEX & CON placement on page 1, so they're now: STR > DEX > CON... instead of STR > CON > DEX.
These fixes will be included with 2.6.1 when it's ready. I need to fix the addition of dodge bonuses to flat-footed AC too. I also will be adding a dialog window for Natural Armor & Deflection bonuses, so players can track their sources and bonus types like they can with other aspects of the sheet. Not sure why I missed those :(
That is a nice sheet. Thanks.
I just stumbled across this today. Grabbed a copy of the latest file. To me it looks great. Easy to use and keep track off. I like the cross filling in for various stat related numbers. Enter once and forget is a nice touch, makes it easier on someone who isn't super great at remembering every single bonus to change on a stat increase. :)
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Version 2.6.1 is out today!
- (fixed) DEX not applying to AC properly
- (fixed) Switch DEX & CON order on page 1
- (fixed) Dodge bonus no longer applied to Flat-Footed AC
- (added) Option Button Menu items
To Do:
- (bug) Loads & Lift values do not prioritize temporary Strength score over normal score when a temporary score is present.
- (feature) Export a pathfinder stat-block, as an html file
Reminder:
To transition your character data to the updated sheet, use the big red option button to save your character data on your current sheet first. Then open your character data in the updated sheet and save the file.
Note:
Because I fixed a few issues relating to AC, you may want to use the checkbox for your armor not being equipped... and then just make sure you uncheck the box. (click the checkbox, click somewhere else... repeat once more to put your armor back on)
Could I ask a big favour pat?
Could you do one with the 3.5 list of skills? No need for anything else. It is perfect for my games apart from that.
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Could I ask a big favour pat?
Could you do one with the 3.5 list of skills? No need for anything else. It is perfect for my games apart from that.
Is it that you're looking for a 3.5 sheet, or are you guys playing PF and just having abandonment issues with the 3.5 skills?
I still have a copy of the SSA-X2 character sheet that I got a lot of my form mechanics from. That sheet was made for 3.5, I came up with this one because I wanted that one to work with PF (and the SSA-X2 site is no longer online, so I am doubting it's in any sort of development stage).
Clicking the space does nothing for me. Maybe it's the program I'm using. Does this thing not like Macs?
2) When I was filling out the ability scores, I assumed the modifiers would appear on their own. When they didn't, I tried to fill them in myself, but the spaces don't seem to be editable. Am I missing something here as well?
They do... click on the space. A chart will open. Use the Value area to put in the attribute... rest will auto populate.
The more I use this sheet the more I am impressed big time by its usage.
This may of been answered before. Indeed its been so long I hope it does. So let me cast raise undead here....
I think the problem is you are using "Preview" as the PDF reader.
For those unfamiliar MacOSX comes with a fantastic built in reader for PDFs, Pictures, things of that nature simply and un-cleverly named "Preview". Many Mac users won't have adobe reader, because compared to preview its clunky and slow.
The problem is, (and I ran into the same thing and should be able to confirm in a few minutes) preview only does basic viewing and does not run the various behind the screens stuff that is required for it to be anything other then a blank sheet to fill out. So I believe this is your problem. I am currently downloading adobe reader for MacOSX to confirm, but I suspect any full featured PDF reader like adobe will resolve the issue.
Good luck =)
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For those unfamiliar MacOSX comes with a fantastic built in reader for PDFs, Pictures, things of that nature simply and un-cleverly named "Preview". Many Mac users won't have adobe reader, because compared to preview its clunky and slow.
The problem is, (and I ran into the same thing and should be able to confirm in a few minutes) preview only does basic viewing and does not run the various behind the screens stuff that is required for it to be anything other then a blank sheet to fill out. So I believe this is your problem. I am currently downloading adobe reader for MacOSX to confirm, but I suspect any full featured PDF reader like adobe will resolve the issue.
The upcoming Windows 8 has a similar "reader" app that functions in the way you're describing. I loaded my sheet: complete mess. Installed Adobe Reader: perfect.
The upcoming Windows 8 has a similar "reader" app that functions in the way you're describing. I loaded my sheet: complete mess. Installed Adobe Reader: perfect.For those unfamiliar MacOSX comes with a fantastic built in reader for PDFs, Pictures, things of that nature simply and un-cleverly named "Preview". Many Mac users won't have adobe reader, because compared to preview its clunky and slow.
The problem is, (and I ran into the same thing and should be able to confirm in a few minutes) preview only does basic viewing and does not run the various behind the screens stuff that is required for it to be anything other then a blank sheet to fill out. So I believe this is your problem. I am currently downloading adobe reader for MacOSX to confirm, but I suspect any full featured PDF reader like adobe will resolve the issue.
Well im glad we got that resolved, Might make a good FAQ question for the future. Preview really is divine if you are just looking at static PDFs. So you get a lot of users who never bothered dealing with the adobe headache until sometimes comes up!
Wonderful sheet by the way.
OK, I thought this thing was completely useless. But I am viewing it in preview. Duh. Thanks Keeya.
I wonder how it will be in Goodreader on iPad.
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I wonder how it will be in Goodreader on iPad.
From my experience, the Javascript in PDF forms never function on iOS. A few apps allow you to see the fields, but the calculations are lost in iOS. When I need to bring a character sheet to the table, I typically "flatten" the PDF by using a PDF printer, and then just pull up something that lets me annotate directly on my iPad. You could probably just print it out on paper too, I suppose.
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Might make a good FAQ question for the future.
I just added this to my website's main page:
I highly recommend using Adobe Reader 7.0 or later to view or maintain the data within this sheet, you can save your character data between sessions as well. Using a PDF reader like "Preview" on MacOS, or Windows Reader on Windows 8, has been known to stifle the sheet's capabilities.
If that turns out to not be as noticeable, I can expand upon the FAQ page a bit more.
Wonderful sheet by the way.
Thank you, I'm glad others are enjoying it! As always: if you guys find any other bugs on this, please let me know so I can investigate them.
This is probably the best character sheet you will find online that is form fillable and doesn't require excel.
Could I ask a big favour pat?
Could you do one with the 3.5 list of skills? No need for anything else. It is perfect for my games apart from that.
Is it that you're looking for a 3.5 sheet, or are you guys playing PF and just having abandonment issues with the 3.5 skills?
I still have a copy of the SSA-X2 character sheet that I got a lot of my form mechanics from. That sheet was made for 3.5, I came up with this one because I wanted that one to work with PF (and the SSA-X2 site is no longer online, so I am doubting it's in any sort of development stage).
Years of use have turned me against the pathfinder skill system. Acrobatics gives too much and represents too much as it goes for simplicity, for instance. Seen it abused by wizards.
So I've gone back to 3.5 skills except for perception and stealth. This ssa-x2 sounds interesting. How do I get a hold of it?
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This ssa-x2 sounds interesting. How do I get a hold of it?
You can nab it off of my dropbox, for now.
Cheers, got it.
Yours is much better though.
I have a suggestion actually, I'm sticking with yours and using the boxes below for skills. Add a field next to all skills, to the right, so you can add info on them if need be, or use other terms for the skill or explanations on what it can be used for, e.g. bluff, seduction, disable device, pick locks. There is space that isn't being used.
Thanks a lot!
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Can you output the data into a Paizo style stat block or xml or something else?
The option to save your character data will create a *.xfdf file. It's XML data that identifies each field and the data contained within each. I realize this a bit late to mention, since the ability to save your character data has been implemented since January 2012 now (v2.6), but I felt like I should point that out.
Also, the main reason for this post, I've started planning toward this goal so it's a bit more user-friendly. I'm thinking I can add a menu item to the "options" button that prompts the user with a dialog box/window. Within that window, ideally, could reside either a scrolling plain-text area or a static text area; both options having that text be the stat block for their PC. Then a simple "close" button for when you're finished. I haven't decided which, but ideally the user could just highlight and copy|paste to wherever they would need to put the data.
If you're going to copy|paste a stat block somewhere... does the bold font matter or is it just an aesthetic modification?
I'm actually hoping that you change the feat area into just a large box. This is because certain feats require a little more room than others.
The option to save your character data will create a *.xfdf file. It's XML data that identifies each field and the data contained within each. I realize this a bit late to mention, since the ability to save your character data has been implemented since January 2012 now (v2.6), but I felt like I should point that out.
About that. I can't get that feature to work in Adobe Reader X (10.1.4) on either Windows or OS X. I'm on my PC right now (Windows 7) using version 2.6.1 of your character sheet and whenever I use the Save Character Data... command, I get the following error in the JavaScript Console:
NotAllowedError: Security settings prevent access to this property or method.
Doc.mailForm:39:Field button_Options:Mouse Down
Disabling protected mode on startup, global object security, and enhanced security and closing/reopening the sheet hasn't helped.
I've re-enabled the security features as I'm not comfortable running with them turned off.
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About that. I can't get that feature to work in Adobe Reader X (10.1.4) on either Windows or OS X. I'm on my PC right now (Windows 7) using version 2.6.1 of your character sheet and whenever I use the Save Character Data... command, I get the following error in the JavaScript Console:
NotAllowedError: Security settings prevent access to this property or method.
Doc.mailForm:39:Field button_Options:Mouse DownDisabling protected mode on startup, global object security, and enhanced security and closing/reopening the sheet hasn't helped.
I've re-enabled the security features as I'm not comfortable running with them turned off.
This appears to be a mistake on my part. I failed to look into whether or not that function is available to Reader clients. The use of the "exportAsXFDF" method in Adobe's javascript seems to be restricted to Acrobat only.
On Windows, if the client machine with Reader installed has its default mail program configured to be MAPI enabled, you should be prompted to mail yourself a copy of the *.xfdf file though.
In the meantime, I'll look into seeing how affordable it is to procure and enable LiveCycle Reader Extensions in my sheet. That should enable users to save the data directly to their local system.
My apologies, but I'm on it!