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Yeah, I think it's safe to say that .pdf and .doc are more common formats than something that some of us have never heard of before the last few posts of this thread. I can't believe someone actually asked what you consider a more common format.
Really? Given that he misunderstood my question, and you appear to have, as well, it bears repeating, in a more ... explicit ... format:
Are you looking for character sheet format, basic stat block format, or some other format?Not PDF, TXT, XML or what-have-you, but what kind of output did you want the monsters & NPCs in?
For instance, HL offers PDF outputs for standard character sheet, with an add-on for full output of gear, feat, etc., information, not just the cut-off stuff on a character sheet.
I can output "plain" vanilla stat blocks, stat blocks formatted for HTML, etc., so you get bolded sections, or plain text section titles.
So, the question was, what format did you want the stats in? Stat block., character sheet, other?
Please act civil, or people might decide ingratitude doesn't deserve doing anything you would get thanked for.
After several years, and money spent on add-ons, I have licenses for D20, most of Pathfinder and basic Shadowrun 4th Edition, along with key codes to run it legally on three systems, my desktop PC, my laptop PC, and my iPad.
I am sad that iPad only supports Pathfinder, so my SRM PCs won't load. I am happy that they are supporting direct read from DropBox for it, but saddened that it doesn't support sub-folders yet, so that my HeroLab PCs are available easily on iPad, but required some filename modification, and moving into one common folder, instead of the multi-layered format I had been using previously.
Once sub-folders on DropBox are supported, the names will change back, the files will get dropped into a filing system I like, and the clutter will abate. Heh. Not likely. But the sub-folder system will allow better organization, and allow me to keep the POR file, the image I use for the PC for online games, and any electronic chronicles for each PC with that PC.
Side-note: Along with the ease of a POR file, HL supports exporting PC files for use with at least two of the VTTs out there for online play, Fantasy Grounds II and d20Pro.
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Sure, I understand that people use their spare time to help others. Just that these .por files exclude some users.
Of course I imagine the application uses these .por (portfolio?) files in a more sophisticated manner and is thus more useful for GMs that user Herolab.
Oh well, at least I get better and better at adding templates to creatures.
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Really? Given that he misunderstood my question, and you appear to have, as well, it bears repeating, in a more ... explicit ... format:
Are you looking for character sheet format, basic stat block format, or some other format?Not PDF, TXT, XML or what-have-you, but what kind of output did you want the monsters & NPCs in?
So I went back to the earlier post to see what I had missed and why I misunderstood you. Here's the original exchange:
Nice. Some scenarios only have .por files available. It would be nice to provide the same in more common formats.I have to ask. What the heck kind of a file format is .por?It's the file extension that herolab usesSo, what do you consider a "more common format"?
After all, a lot of PFS players and GMs have HeroLab, just see all the threads about "Does owning expansion X in HeroLab bypass the need to town the actual book/PDF from Paizo?"
If you include the format preferred, and the scenario(s) needed, I'll see if I can export that material in your preferred format.
Deussu was very obviously talking about file formats. He asked what the .por extension is, because he didn't recognize it, and apparently has no way of opening it on his computer.
So apparently, you're claiming that you changed the subject, while using the same wording as the original subject, and you wonder why the rest of us didn't notice that you changed the subject. I still don't see any hint of your new subject in that earlier post, which I had every reason to believe was just a continuation of the previous 3 post conversation (which you quoted) about file formats.
But to answer your question, I honestly don't care that much exactly how the details are formatted, as long as it's a file extension my computer can open, usually doc, pdf, or xls. If someone took the time to format it in a way that's convenient for them before uploading it, then it's probably usable enough for me.
To me, the whole point of borrowing these shared prep monster stats is to avoid having to look up stats in various Bestiary/NPC Codex books and apply templates myself, because I'll have them all in one place. The exact format isn't the important part, since I'll almost always print it all and highlight the important bits myself, anyway. That's part of how I make sure I'm familiar enough with those monsters/NPCs to run them at the table.
My problem is with the assumption that everyone has Herolab. I can't imagine someone not being able to open a pdf or doc format file, but the fact that someone had to ask what .por is should prove that it's not universal enough to be any sort of default assumption. Yes, lots of people use Herolab. Is it more than 25% of PFS players/GMs? Maybe. More than 50%? Very doubtful, based on my experience playing/GMing for two years at a store that has 4-6 full tables every week.
Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
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My problem is with the assumption that everyone has Herolab.
There's no such assumption. If the Shared Prep site mandated .por as the only acceptable file format you might have a point, but obviously it doesn't do that. The only assumption is that there are enough GMs who do use HeroLab that it's worthwhile sharing the results of that effort.
If it's a popularity contest, then why do we bother having Shared Prep areas for the multi-table specials, for "Eyes of the Ten", for Modules, for sanctioned Adventure Paths, or even for Tier 7-11 scenarios? I'd bet that the number of GMs who use any particular one of those is at least as low as the number that use HeroLab.
Sure, I understand that people use their spare time to help others. Just that these .por files exclude some users.
So what's your solution?
If a GM who uses HeroLab chooses to drop portfolio files in the GM Prep area, that helps out other GMs who use HeroLab. He's not really "using his spare time to help others" - he's putting the data files, etc. that he built for his own use up where others can get them, so they don't have to duplicate the effort to arrive at (more or less) the same result.
I understand that those files aren't of any use to you. But your problem isn't that people are putting files up there in .por format; it's that people aren't putting files up there in the formats you want. The way to solve that is to encourage other GMs to upload data in a form you can use, not to snipe at the ones who upload .por files.
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Sure, I understand that people use their spare time to help others. Just that these .por files exclude some users.So what's your solution?
I think it's fairly obvious the solution he was asking. If folks that have voluntarily done the Herolabs work already, and uploaded those files, could they also upload a PDF output of those files as well? Deussu hasn't demanded or been rude from any of the posts I can see, but he's gotten a lot of flak from the responses so far.
I understand that those files aren't of any use to you. But your problem isn't that people are putting files up there in .por format; it's that people aren't putting files up there in the formats you want. The way to solve that is to encourage other GMs to upload data in a form you can use...
Or, one could ask, if the GM's who have made the effort, and are putting up files so others do not have to duplicate the effort, as you said, might take another minute or two and export/upload a second format. Some may not be able to, or not have the time, that's understandable, and I do thank them for the time they have spent sharing already. However, how is the site supposed to get better if folks can't make requests and suggestions as to what might be of greater benefit to other users?
... not to snipe at the ones who upload .por files.
I take a great deal of exception to your inclusion of this backhand jab at the end here. I haven't seen Desseu snipe at anyone here. However, from your first response to him you've been snarky and somewhat condescending. If that is not your intent, you might wish to go back and reread and see where that feeling is coming from, as messageboards aren't the best for conferring emotions, but selected wording choice can change something from benign to asinine with ease.
Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Indianapolis
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You can, but the output is not exactly pretty. And there can be both POR and other files for the same scenario.
When I make my combat sheets (which are similar to those done by Carlos, only with more information), I typically work them in Hero Lab, copy the stat blocks, paste them into word, and then format them. There is no reason someone couldn't post both the .por files and formatted stat blocks if they wished.
I just use whatever format works best for me. I began by using those done by Carlos, and then modifying them (so, I'm glad he's now posting the .doc versions of them because it makes it easier for me.) :)
If you can't, or don't want to, use the .por files, then use another format if it's available. If it's not, you could always make your own (not always ideal, I know.)
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Agreed. 100%.
And leading by example is always good.
Quick question: Carlos, you don't add stat blocks that are fully printed in the scenario. I assume this is because of potential IP issues... that you only put stat blocks for critters or NPCs that are on the PRD site.
Oh, and here's another idea, do with it as you will. When I do my own stat block sheets (usually by starting with one from Carlos or the like), I often reorganize them so that all of the low tier are on the odd pages, and all of the high tier are on the even. This has helped me to keep straight what I am looking at. Then, that way I just page through, and make sure all of the right side are up. It helps to put a header on while doing that, of course. I do this, because I would otherwise print only on one side and it feels like this way saves a little paper.
That all being said, I really like how Carlos recently added a small block that shows subtier with the critters specific to a sub-tier. When I recently ran The Paths We Choose, all that I did was take his .doc file, and add the NPCs (I like having the stat blocks separate from the scenario text). I did the same when I created the stat blocks for The Dog Pharoah's Tomb. I am still debating, but this might be good enough.
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Originally, not putting the critters with full stat blocks was half because of any ip issues as well as just thing to lower my workload. When I GM I tend to have scenarios printed, so I can run one set of critters from the printed one and another set from my blocks. That has changed also based on the scenario, sometimes putting more or less. I didn't know if people liked less blocks (save ink) or all blocks (completeness).
I'm trying to standardize this going season 6 on and current plan is to include all blocks.
On layout, this is one that does vary from scenario to scenario. I try to put critters that wil be used in the same encounter on the same pages when possible. I usually go with what seems convenient for me. I do try to make sure to conserve ink here too if I can.
I figured since I'm now uploading word and PDF, anyone wanting to edit my layouts just snags the word file and edits away :)
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Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
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I take a great deal of exception to your inclusion of this backhand jab at the end here. I haven't seen Desseu snipe at anyone here. However, from your first response to him you've been snarky and somewhat condescending. If that is not your intent, you might wish to go back and reread and see where that feeling is coming from, as messageboards aren't the best for conferring emotions, but selected wording choice can change something from benign to asinine with ease.
As you say, it's hard to read intent and attitude from messageboard posts. Your post, though, was a good example of a post making a point in a clear and precise fashion; you suggested that an alternate format created as output from HeroLab in addition to the .por format, would make the files more useful.
Quite honestly I hadn't even thought of that, for a variety of reasons. One is that, as somebody points out upstream, exporting a .por directly as a PDF sometimes leaves quite a bit to be desired (I'll take their word for it; it's something I've never even tried). Another is that, back a couple of years ago when I was pulling down .por files from the old shared prep site, I remember there being ones that were just for the major NPCs in the encounters. These didn't contain anything that wasn't already in the scenario PDF. I also envisioned these portfolios as being used to load up the NPC roster into HeroLab, and run thing using the "In Play" tab.
So, as you see, I wasn't thinking of HeroLab as a PDF generator.
If you yourself go back and read Deussu's posts in that light you might see where I was coming from.
P.S. Nowadays I hardly ever directly use the shared prep site myself; I'm luck enough to be married to a wife who creates complete prep kits, containing everything you need to run the scenario; I just grab a copy of one of those. She, of course, makes heavy use of the shared prep site (often grabbing Carlos's contributions IIRC); if there isn't anything there when she goes looking she'll usually upload a .doc (and, nowadays, a .pdf) when she's done. If you've ever grabbed anything marked as being created by Wendy-Ann, you'll know what I get to use.
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Venture-Lieutenant, Indiana—Indianapolis
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Originally, not putting the critters with full stat blocks was half because of any ip issues as well as just thing to lower my workload. When I GM I tend to have scenarios printed, so I can run one set of critters from the printed one and another set from my blocks. That has changed also based on the scenario, sometimes putting more or less. I didn't know if people liked less blocks (save ink) or all blocks (completeness).
I'm trying to standardize this going season 6 on and current plan is to include all blocks.
On layout, this is one that does vary from scenario to scenario. I try to put critters that wil be used in the same encounter on the same pages when possible. I usually go with what seems convenient for me. I do try to make sure to conserve ink here too if I can.
I figured since I'm now uploading word and PDF, anyone wanting to edit my layouts just snags the word file and edits away :)
Speaking only for myself, I much prefer a complete set of stat blocks, even if they are included in the scenario. I use these as combat sheets, so I mark on them, mark hit points, cross of expended powers and spells, etc. I hate to mark up the scenario itself, particularly if it's one I am running multiple times (say, at Gen Con.)
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Speaking only for myself, I much prefer a complete set of stat blocks, even if they are included in the scenario. I use these as combat sheets, so I mark on them, mark hit points, cross of expended powers and spells, etc. I hate to mark up the scenario itself, particularly if it's one I am running multiple times (say, at Gen Con.)
For Season 6, this is my plan (for the same reasons)
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Cool. I was mostly asking, in case anyone had heard of any IP issues. When I did the one for Dog Pharaoh's tomb, I had two copies, the one I used, and the one I posted. I can upload the one I used (which has all the critters) if you all think it is ok.
I'll also try and bring it up to Carlos's new standard. I'll also upload ones that I have updated/extended from Carlos's (or others).
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I like standards.
*ahem*
Speaking of standards - and remember I'm talking about a minor problem here - I began thinking about paper sizes. Yeah, paper sizes. You see, if one would post some superduper awesome encounter map for a scenario and it would be in A4 (ISO standard) size, probably everyone using Letter (ANSI standard) paper size would object. Likewise if the map was in Letter, maybe two people would come and object, and then be ignored.
I can imagine that HeroLab is superawesome to use when running a scenario, and these .por files are hyperultrabest at keeping everything in line and within easy reach.
I, however, have resorted in the olden ways, printing out the scenario and monster stats not provided with the scenario. Somehow I find electronic devices at the gaming table distractive.
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Really? Given that he misunderstood my question, and you appear to have, as well, it bears repeating, in a more ... explicit ... format:
Are you looking for character sheet format, basic stat block format, or some other format?Not PDF, TXT, XML or what-have-you, but what kind of output did you want the monsters & NPCs in?
So I went back to the earlier post to see what I had missed and why I misunderstood you. Here's the original exchange:
Nice. Some scenarios only have .por files available. It would be nice to provide the same in more common formats.I have to ask. What the heck kind of a file format is .por?It's the file extension that herolab usesSo, what do you consider a "more common format"?
After all, a lot of PFS players and GMs have HeroLab, just see all the threads about "Does owning expansion X in HeroLab bypass the need to town the actual book/PDF from Paizo?"
If you include the format preferred, and the scenario(s) needed, I'll see if I can export that material in your preferred format.
Deussu was very obviously talking about file formats. He asked what the .por extension is, because he didn't recognize it, and apparently has no way of opening it on his computer.
So apparently, you're claiming that you changed the subject, while using the same wording as the original subject, and you wonder why the rest of us didn't notice that you changed the subject. I still don't see any hint of your new subject in that earlier post, which I had every reason to believe was just a continuation of the previous 3 post conversation (which you quoted) about file formats.
But to answer your question, I honestly don't care that much exactly how the details are formatted, as long as it's a file extension my computer can open, usually doc, pdf, or xls. If someone took the time to format it in a way that's convenient for them before uploading it, then...
As I said in my repost, I was, obviously, not explicit enough in asking about format, as format was assumed by some to mean file format, rather than what I had moved on to, in my mind, which was data output format, meaning plain stat blocks, or full PC format files. My apology for the confusion.
Hopefully, tonight, I will be awake enough when I get home from work to do some of the conversions requested. Now, if only I could remember which scenario(s) were requested.
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So, I made a 100x100 pixel per 5ft color VTT map of Bonekeep, Level One with a mapping tool. I'd like to upload it, but I want to make sure I don't step on Paizo's copyright and intellectual property. Does anyone know how to properly attribute Paizo?
I was thinking of putting something like this on it:
"This map is fan made remake of a map contained in Ruins of Bonekeep, Level One: The Silent Grave which is owned by Paizo Publishing, LLC. The creator of this map is not affiliated with Paizo Publishing, LLC.
Ruins of Bonekeep, Level One: The Silent Grave © 2013, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn."
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Here's the key text from the Community Use Policy: "You may not use artwork, including maps, that have not been published in the blog, although you may create your own interpretations of material presented in our artwork and maps, provided that your interpretations don't look substantially similar to our materials."
So 'substantially similar' is the key phrase. It is also subjective, so Paizo has the final say. I think you are OK since you created the map from scratch instead of simply cutting and pasting it before adding digital enhancement. You can add whatever credits you want, but in the end if Paizo says take it down, we take it down.
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Ah thanks Doug for pointing me to that part of the Community Use Policy. I think I still need to put on it Paizo's community Use policy disclaimer because that paragraph is under the Permissions which has the textHere's the key text from the Community Use Policy: "You may not use artwork, including maps, that have not been published in the blog, although you may create your own interpretations of material presented in our artwork and maps, provided that your interpretations don't look substantially similar to our materials."
So 'substantially similar' is the key phrase. It is also subjective, so Paizo has the final say. I think you are OK since you created the map from scratch instead of simply cutting and pasting it before adding digital enhancement. You can add whatever credits you want, but in the end if Paizo says take it down, we take it down.
As long as you comply with all of the above usage requirements, we hereby grant you the following permissions:For those who care. The disclaimer is
"This [website, character sheet, or whatever it is] uses trademarks and/or copyrights owned by Paizo Inc., which are used under Paizo's Community Use Policy. We are expressly prohibited from charging you to use or access this content. This [website, character sheet, or whatever it is] is not published, endorsed, or specifically approved by Paizo Inc. For more information about Paizo's Community Use Policy, please visit paizo.com/communityuse. For more information about Paizo Inc. and Paizo products, please visit paizo.com."
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Yeah, I totally failed to understand the question but at least I pointed you to the Policy so you could find the answer yourself :/
You didn't fail, I got my answer because of you. I've read the Community Use Policy before but didn't think it applied to this. You pointed me to the section in it that showed it did.
Thank you Doug.
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I think I still need to put on it Paizo's community Use policy disclaimer because that paragraph is under the Permissions which has the textAs long as you comply with all of the above usage requirements, we hereby grant you the following permissions:
If I recall correcty my business law correctly, Paizo owns the copyright to the Bonekeep scenarios, and to any rendition of the maps which is contained therein. Paizo may have trademarked "Bonekeep" (and if the haven't, they probably should). However, they do not -- if fact cannot -- own the layout of the dungeon, meaning you would be free to post your map under the name "Skeletalcastle" or whatever (assuming you aren't using any copyrighted art). That said, if you can do what you want within the community use policy, it's probably easier for everyone concerned. :)
Also, IANAL.
Edit: Femur Fort? :P
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As a quick note, the most common support request I get is from people attempting to log in with their display name.
Note that pfsprep.com has you create a user name and a display name when you make your account.
You user name is what you use to login to the site.
Your display name is what your posts show up as.
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Deussu... no issue on Mac with .docx... at least as far as I have seen (assuming you have MS Word).
In fact, I believe that several of the files I have uploaded have been in .docx format.
Suggestion, though... save as .pdf (right from Word), and upload that as well. Very low cost to you, could be great benefit to others!
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I'm a little late to the discussion, and this has likely been asked before. Why is the Shared Prep folder being moved?
It was moved to a location to prevent the unintentional deletion of files by those using the site. It evidently happened a few times, and the last time the person deleted a LOT of work by accident.
Also, there was a LOT of items (maps, images, faction missions, chronicles, etc.) uploaded in violation of the CUP and Paizo's copyrights on the old site. This site has a little more moderation it seems to block those items and reinforce the standards.
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Apparently the site no longer accepts .rtf files. I tried adding Slave Ships of Absalom stat blocks in .rtf format it said it isn't supported. .docx did work though (sorry, Mac users)
There's an exploit involving .rtf/.txt and the display function of the software I'm using. While in theory I could reprogram it to make .txt and .rtf download only (and may eventually) at the moment they are not among the allowed file types.
Other than .rtf or .txt are there any file types that people want that aren't supported
Current supported list:
.doc | .docx | .pdf | .png | .jpg | .por | .xls | .xml | .cmpt | .gif | .zip |
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I have posted my notes from prepping Echoes of the Everwar 1-4. I just wanted to check that we were OK to include non art material from the scenario. I have included a précis of various development sections as reminders for myself as well as pulling out stuff like knowledge check results or possible questions to make them quicker and easier to use while running. Is that OK? If not feel free to take them down and I will amend accordingly for a public version.
As always: I am not a lawyer but it sounds like what you've done is fine.
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Apparently the site no longer accepts .rtf files. I tried adding Slave Ships of Absalom stat blocks in .rtf format it said it isn't supported. .docx did work though (sorry, Mac users)There's an exploit involving .rtf/.txt and the display function of the software I'm using. While in theory I could reprogram it to make .txt and .rtf download only (and may eventually) at the moment they are not among the allowed file types.
Other than .rtf or .txt are there any file types that people want that aren't supported
Current supported list:
.doc | .docx | .pdf | .png | .jpg | .por | .xls | .xml | .cmpt | .gif | .zip |
Alright, good to know. It just baffled me as .rtf was accepted just a week or so ago.
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Alright, good to know. It just baffled me as .rtf was accepted just a week or so ago.Apparently the site no longer accepts .rtf files. I tried adding Slave Ships of Absalom stat blocks in .rtf format it said it isn't supported. .docx did work though (sorry, Mac users)There's an exploit involving .rtf/.txt and the display function of the software I'm using. While in theory I could reprogram it to make .txt and .rtf download only (and may eventually) at the moment they are not among the allowed file types.
Other than .rtf or .txt are there any file types that people want that aren't supported
Current supported list:
.doc | .docx | .pdf | .png | .jpg | .por | .xls | .xml | .cmpt | .gif | .zip |
Interesting, I haven't made any changes to the software in months, I don't think it's ever accepted .rtf
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Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin
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This is a god-send. I'm sure you've heard it before, but I just want to reiterate it.
Between running Silverhex for newbies last night until late, staying up until 2AM (New Zealand time) to attempt (unsuccessfully) to get a Marriott room for DragonCon, and running The Silver Mount collection tonite.....I am bushwacked.
Those stat blocks are my Cassisian Angels.
Thanks again.
-Dink
