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(This link has appeared in another thread already, but I think there it was rather off topic and possibly derailed the thread, so I post it again here)
could this be the solution for playing pathfinder without minis and physical mats?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sXgHT7_e-A
Reviews I have read basically say "Good, but limited". Going to stick to my flip mats & chessex battle maps.
That thread was actually kind of old and just sitting around, while it was off topic it's kind of hard to derail something that wasn't moving anyways.
As I said in the other thread it really needs some more features to really be useful. Currently it's just a map maker like Dundjinni with a minimal VTT add on. I don't even know if it has an export function (already emailed the developers).
One of two things need to happen to make this a minis and mat replacement...
1) Needs Peer to Peer connectivity between iOS devices on at least a local network or bluetooth.
2) Needs import/export of map files. (guess they can be e-mailed apparently, but that still isn't the best option IMO)
3) Combat Tracking built in.
I don't think Battle Map will ever get to that point. It likely won't ever have the same functionality that MapTool does on a full PC(Mac). It may become a wonderful portable mapping tool, but as full fledged VTT I just don't see. If they get a more robust import/export of both the raw map file (so it can be moved to another device) and of an image (jpg, png, etc) that can be put into programs like MapTools I'd be more inclined to spend $30 dollars on it.
Well dont forget that this is the first version of the prog. And even if this version is not up to your high standards, maybe the next are. I for my part am convinced to give it try and buy it as soon as my ipad arrives at my house in Vienna. Map tool, which you mentioned, looks rather "complicated" and not intuitive, while battle map looks very easy to use, which appeals to me as apple fan.
Of course the real problem is that the ipad is too small for most combat situations we have in our Savage Worlds Pathfinder game, so maybe such progs like battle map will begin only to skyrocket in the moment apple decides to release a maxi verson of the ipad (eg. 40" or so). Or another solution would be to create the necessary bigger playing area by connecting several ipads to a bigger screen, but I am not sure if the ipad supports such a functionality at all.
BTW: regarding to your comment #2, the battle map description in the app store says this
"Choose from a library of objects, or import your own artwork!"
So I guess you can at least import own monster icons.
the ipad supports video out to your big screen. if you have lots of cash to spare you can even lay it down horizontally even more gamemattiness.
I don't really consider my points "high" standards. I'm just making the point that this App currently does not seem to have the same functionality you can find in current computer VTTs. There are current *cough* industry benchmarks if you will.
I'll admit there is a bit of learning curve to MapTools, perhaps you'd prefer www.battlegroundsgames.com . It's a bit less programmie as open source projects like MapTool tend to be.
As to a larger display, get the iPad VGA cable and pico or portable projector.... Finally found what I was looking or again an example guide (if old):
http://www.penpaperpixel.org/tutorials/tabletopprojection/
It won't be interactive but that is where I want to see connectivity between devices. The more supported platforms the better. If inter-device connectivity were added to Battle Map, you could possibly use multiple iPads working in parallel, each showing a different map section. Although at that point it would be more efficient money wise to just have a projector, an iPad, and at most two iPod touches (one for projection hosting, the other for passing between players). Again the more kinds of devices that can be supported, the more likely that a player can contribute a device to the mix. It's why I'm hopeful of the MaPnakotic App, currently in protracted beta since July, which is a MapTool client.
I've been following the virtual table off and on since about 2005. Five years later I still say we are about five more years out from "Apple" like super user friendly options. The parts are all mostly there, it is going to come down to who creates the package at a reasonable price (that includes hardware)
the ipad supports video out to your big screen. if you have lots of cash to spare you can even lay it down horizontally even more gamemattiness.
Depending on your big screen, this can be problematic.
Apple only supplies a Dock that has VGA output. So if your big screen doesn't have that input (and I haven't seen any that do) you have to find a VGA to <whatever> converter as well.
Now, if you meant projectors... There is a better assortment that have VGA inputs. But again, check what you have before planning on this route.
Lots of TVs have VGA-in. Most call it "PC Input", which I admit might confuse Mac users, but it's a VGA jack.
I'll be...
I didn't trust this statement, so I looked into it. And there are, indeed, televisions with the D-Sub/VGA/PC Input.
I'm not sure "lots" is accurate... But that isn't important.
What is important is that it isn't standard, and it isn't always easy to track down if a set has it or not prior to purchase. And from my (extremely) brief research on the subject, it appears that it is primarily on the sets outside of the "bang for the buck" range. Meaning that the more likely it is you bought your set on a budget, the less likely it is it will have it.
And in related news, the price of these sets have dropped drastically. 60" for under $2000? I didn't imagine I would see the day.
It's a question of where you're getting your "bang for the buck." It seems like most modern TV manufactures have been including PC/VGA ports on their LCD based products since at least 2007, especially the ones labeled as HDTVs Now the key here is the LCD HDTVs, you won't find a CTR TV with a PC/VGA in unless it was actually a computer monitor to boot.
I'd imagine that if one was willing to bargain hunt enough they could find an LCD HDTV from 2008 or 2009 for lower cost as part of a business liquidation or surplus sale. May not have much life left in it but there are options.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the developers if this App can export images in actual image formats, and that you can import their Battle Map propriety format into other devices. The email I got from them said you could email the Battle Map propriety file, not much beyond that. I think they misunderstood me when I mentioned Dundjinni.
Hopefully now that Glenn Andreas is done with The Dicenomicon 2.6 he'll turn his attention back to MapPnakotic, which he's actually into his next beta test for. It even reads like he's got it so you can just drag and drop .cmpgn files made in MapTools into the iTunes App file share window and host them locally on the iPad. I wish I had a reason to request a beta test copy and try it, but I don't have an iPad nor a currently active game (in real life or online *sad :( *), just my 3rd gen iPod Touch.
W00t! Glenn has submitted MaPnakotic 1,0 to the AppStore, pending approval this should be sweet. It will connect to a MapTools server hosted from Mac/Windows/Linux.
The base client is going to be free. With extra buyable add-ons for in-app dice (same rather robust roller he put in Dicenomicon), and the ability to edit campaign files stored on the iOS device. I do hope there is a way to import images from the local Photo gallery so I can get the maps I've been making in Battle Map into MaPnakotic. Dungeon mapping on the go :D.
I did get in contact with Battle Map's developers and it does export image files by email, and you can also use the built in screen shot (Power + Home) to put images into your local photo gallery. Still not happy with the export resolution or the default area size on my much smaller iPod. And yes you can transport their property formatted files between iOS devices so you can upload the maps you make on one iOS device and edit them on another, or have them shared.