Another option that is not exactly what you're looking for (since to the best of my knowledge, it doesn't manage NPCs the way you want), but might bear looking into / following, is Kyle Olson's Combat Manager application (http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/pathfinder/pathfinder RPG/houseRules/combatManagerApplication)...
Who knows, with the default NPCs that the GMG provided, it's possible that those might get included in the data files for this program... It's something at least. (Then again, I don't think it can print. >.> Nerts.)
Kyle just added print capability to what he calls the library pages with the newest 1.2.4 release. I'm not sure if all the GMG data is in there. I haven't looked.
Kyle just added print capability to what he calls the library pages with the newest 1.2.4 release. I'm not sure if all the GMG data is in there. I haven't looked.
Hot! I must have missed that in the patch notes.
I just picked up Herolab so take everything I say with a grain of salt. I haven't worked with it much yet. As I understand it, it does do stat block output, because somewhere I have seen someone on these boards post sample output. In their eventual 3.7 release I believe they are supposed to deliver the ability to do custom character sheets, assuming you know XML. My presumption is that it does do the CR.
You can download a demo version of the application to play with. You can't print or save, but other than that it is pretty functional. Also the best place for more of your questions would probably be the Herolab website forums.
That being said, I know the Wolflair folks do pop over here periodically and answer questions on these forums as well.
Checked out my copy of Herolab at home and yes it does do CR and also will output Stat blocks.
Don't mind if I pull a little necro on this thread.
Yes, I, too, am interested in an encounter builder but different than Hero Lab.
Hero Lab is fantastic. I use it heavily (dare I say rely upon it) for both managing all characters & NPCs within my varied campaigns and to manage battles; HP, Conditions (and their effects) and Initiative (inc. Delay and Ready) are all included and adjusted as need be. It will also calculate the CR of everything put into it and adjust the CR if you customize the creature/NPC, etc. Unlike what I'd like an encounter builder to do, however, Hero Lab requires you know what you'd like to add to an encounter by name. You will also need to purchase each of the Bestiary supplements plus anything else outside the Core Rulebook you might wish to include.
The pricing for such is reasonable, mind you, if you use it frequently. I suppose cost vs use is the key. Or that you have the money and will to spend.
They consistently release new patches to its Pathfinder supplements and it's frankly not long after a volume release that you see it in Hero Lab though Bestiary 3 did take some time. Nonetheless, both Ultimate books, the APG, all Bestiaries, Pathfinder world settings, blogs and more are incorporated.
Hero Lab's ability to build an encounter relies solely on the person building it. That may sound obvious but the GM (presumably a GM) must "import stock heroes" and do so by name from an alphabetical list. As such there is no master list of all creatures. There is also no built-in method of building an encounter from an XP budget nor is there a "monster by terrain" or "by CR". Granted, the ability to import stock creatures and modify them quickly is invaluable. What I wish in an encounter builder, however, is admittedly outside the scope of Hero Lab: set CR or XP budget, terrain/other conditions and have it show an encounter on the screen that can then be tweaked.
In other words, I'm lazy. :)