PCGen is the best free one. This is, of course, my opinion.
If you're just starting to make first-level characters, I'd do several by hand until you get used to the system, and what's involved with character creation.
The coreforge excel sheet is probably the most complete free one you will find. Probably more so than herolab. It is very slow and buggy but I like it.
did you get a chance to try out PCGen WNxTyr4el? How did you like it? Have any questions we can answer?
I had to abandon coreforge. New version of excel on my current laptop seems to crash all the time. Havent been back to see if there as an update that stabalizes it for current version of excel.
I have tried PCGen, but it asks for a Java 1.5 environment. I have Java 1.7 on my Linux PC. It's frustrating.
How long ago and what version? The last version we built to 1.5 was 5.16.4, with 6.00.00 we built to 1.6, and 6.00.01+ we support 1.7 (and we now work in OpenJDK).
How long ago and what version? The last version we built to 1.5 was 5.16.4, with 6.00.00 we built to 1.6, and 6.00.01+ we support 1.7 (and we now work in OpenJDK).
The folder in my downloads is labelled pcgen6001. Downloaded a few days ago.
That's weird,I only have 1.6 & 1.7 on my Windows system. And it isn't giving me any issues. I'll see if I can scare up a linux guy to help. Alternately you can post to our yahoo group.
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I've used PCGen since early 3rd ed days, and I'm very used to it. Having said that...there are still occasions where I just forget about trying to add a particular thing to the character, and manually write it onto the printed sheet...
Of course, I've also edited several of the existing datafiles to include options that weren't finished, or not originally available. And as time goes on, that category just seems to grow.
Coreforge is awesome.
It is pc resorce intensive. If you hide tabs it helps. I have a hard time with it on Win 8.
My tablet can run The Old Republic but not coreforge.
I can't seem to figure out PCGen. I'm having a hard time figuring out the spell page for casters. I'm not sure if it's allowing me to pick a ton of spells or if I'm supposed to be able to pick them as per the CRB. I have no idea which classes only know a certain amount and which know their full list, or which have to prepare spells or which have to rest or do whatever. I'm confused about that.
But anyway, other than that it's very easy to use. Might go to HeroLab but it's quite expensive for everything.
I bought Hero Lab before I found PCgen. I have a lot of the expansions and installed the community made package for the Dreamscarred Press psionics. I think that all in all, I've probably spent $100+ on Hero Lab. PCgen does everything and more for free. Yes, Hero Lab is easier and cleaner, but ... vs free ... wouldn't buy it again.
Besides, I dual boot Linux on the desktop and my laptop runs it exclusively. PCgen runs on Windows and Linux no problem. I have Fedora on my desktop (going to OpenSuSE as soon as 13.1 comes out). My laptop was running OpenSuSE 12.3 and is currently running OpenSuSE 13.1 RC2.
CC&B, I'll find out what version of java I have on my systems tomorrow and post it here. What error are you getting?
I can't seem to figure out PCGen. I'm having a hard time figuring out the spell page for casters. I'm not sure if it's allowing me to pick a ton of spells or if I'm supposed to be able to pick them as per the CRB. I have no idea which classes only know a certain amount and which know their full list, or which have to prepare spells or which have to rest or do whatever. I'm confused about that.
But anyway, other than that it's very easy to use. Might go to HeroLab but it's quite expensive for everything.
I bought Hero Lab before I found PCgen. I have a lot of the expansions and installed the community made package for the Dreamscarred Press psionics. I think that all in all, I've probably spent $100+ on Hero Lab. PCgen does everything and more for free. Yes, Hero Lab is easier and cleaner, but ... vs free ... wouldn't buy it again.
Besides, I dual boot Linux on the desktop and my laptop runs it exclusively. PCgen runs on Windows and Linux no problem. I have Fedora on my desktop (going to OpenSuSE as soon as 13.1 comes out). My laptop was running OpenSuSE 12.3 and is currently running OpenSuSE 13.1 RC2.
CC&B, I'll find out what version of java I have on my systems tomorrow and post it here. What error are you getting?
I've downloaded and unpacked a fresh copy of pcgen (for other systems), in a folder labelled pcgen6001.
I am running Ubuntu 13.04 on my PC, with openjdk java 7 and the java web plug-in installed.
Double clicking pcgen.exe gives an error box labelled Launch4j which states that the application requires a Java Runtime Environment 1.5.0. Clicking OK launches a java web site.
I have just noticed, though, that the Wine Windows Program Loader is running while the error box is present. My Wine environment probably doesn't have java installed. I'm not sure how I'd go about adding it, and it really shouldn't be necessary.
I've downloaded and unpacked a fresh copy of pcgen (for other systems), in a folder labelled pcgen6001.
I am running Ubuntu 13.04 on my PC, with openjdk java 7 and the java web plug-in installed.
Double clicking pcgen.exe gives an error box labelled Launch4j which states that the application requires a Java Runtime Environment 1.5.0. Clicking OK launches a java web site.
I have just noticed, though, that the Wine Windows Program Loader is running while the error box is present. My Wine environment probably doesn't have java installed. I'm not sure how I'd go about adding it, and it really shouldn't be necessary.
Despite being the "for other systems" release, the .exe file is still a Windows .exe.
To run on Linux, you need to run pcgen.jar or pcgen.sh (although you may need to chmod+x the latter first).
I've downloaded and unpacked a fresh copy of pcgen (for other systems), in a folder labelled pcgen6001.
I am running Ubuntu 13.04 on my PC, with openjdk java 7 and the java web plug-in installed.
Double clicking pcgen.exe gives an error box labelled Launch4j which states that the application requires a Java Runtime Environment 1.5.0. Clicking OK launches a java web site.
I have just noticed, though, that the Wine Windows Program Loader is running while the error box is present. My Wine environment probably doesn't have java installed. I'm not sure how I'd go about adding it, and it really shouldn't be necessary.
Despite being the "for other systems" release, the .exe file is still a Windows .exe.
To run on Linux, you need to run pcgen.jar or pcgen.sh (although you may need to chmod+x the latter first).
Thank you. Serves me right for not reading the installation doc :)
(Creeps away, embarrassed)
I've downloaded and unpacked a fresh copy of pcgen (for other systems), in a folder labelled pcgen6001.
I am running Ubuntu 13.04 on my PC, with openjdk java 7 and the java web plug-in installed.
Double clicking pcgen.exe gives an error box labelled Launch4j which states that the application requires a Java Runtime Environment 1.5.0. Clicking OK launches a java web site.
I have just noticed, though, that the Wine Windows Program Loader is running while the error box is present. My Wine environment probably doesn't have java installed. I'm not sure how I'd go about adding it, and it really shouldn't be necessary.
Despite being the "for other systems" release, the .exe file is still a Windows .exe.
To run on Linux, you need to run pcgen.jar or pcgen.sh (although you may need to chmod+x the latter first).
Thank you. Serves me right for not reading the installation doc :)
(Creeps away, embarrassed)
Heh. Been there, done that. I make pcgen.sh executable and run that. For the record, I'm running Java 1.6.0 on my desktop box with its ancient Fedora installation and it works fine.
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Yea, Linux Success! BTW @MJ HeroLab runs fine under WINE.
As an update, I've just grabbed the latest build of PCGen (an alpha, but v6.01.07), and it has a complete implementation of Advanced Race Guide, which was missing before. I'm still testing it, but it looks pretty good.
Excellent - I need to create a changeling.
Now where is it regards player's guides and the campaign traits? (I need Reign of Winter traits).
Yea, Linux Success! BTW @MJ HeroLab runs fine under WINE.
Best news I've heard all day. I was just forcibly reminded how much better Hero Lab is at handling reincarnated characters...
BTW we just released a new version about 8 hrs ago :)
@Raven, don't know about Coreforge, but PCGen is Java so I think it will run on the last three(?) Mac OS's. It requires Java 1.6 or 1.7 or OpenJDK. It won't run on Java 1.5 any longer.
@FJ You need to switch from the simple source loading to the Advanced and load the ARG.
On the Sources dialog, click the Advanced tab at the top, make sure the Pathfinder RPG is selected in the dropdown.
Then find the Advanced Race Guide. In order to load the ARG, you have to also load the Core rulebook, Bestiary, Bestiary 2, APG, Ultimate Magic, and Ultimate Combat. This is because of the interconnectedness of how Paizo publishes.
Then you can load the ARG, and use the Ratfolk
My ability to code is limited to "Hello world" in HTML. Is that even considered code?
Most of your points are valid. Hero Lab is more polished, easier to use, and easier to learn. That being said, if you want all Paizo's books, you're going to have to shell out a lot of hard earned cash. If you want third party materials, you're out of luck unless there's a community add on (like there is for Dreamscarred Press' psionic books). Does SG games have official support or is it another community created library?
PCGen has most of the core books and a TON of third party materials, however it's not as easy to use in comparison, but once you learn how to load the sources you want, it's easy enough to use. The wait between releases can be a while, I'll agree. For free, though, PCGen can't be beat. If you're willing to pay a premium, Hero Lab is an excellent resource.
My point, if I have one, is that they're not in competition. Both serve different groups and have different strengths and weaknesses. I use both. I don't think that I'll ever pick one over the other.
Oh, I remember my point: I wasn't claiming that they were the same, I was saying that if I had discovered PCGen before shelling out $100+, I wouldn't have spent the money. They're not the same, but PCGen is a viable alternative to paying. To use your own example, why buy Photoshop if I can get away with using GIMP for free? Which was the whole point of this thread: free. Dunno how it got to a discussion on the relative merits of open source vs commercial programs. Sleeping now.
The latest stable build 6001 doesn't look to have the ARG available.
The latest alpha build does (60109). I'm running it under linux in a separate folder so it's not interfering with the stable version. However, I'm having trouble loading the separate books, and am having to load them all via the Pathfinder Society option. Then I can only add the Carrion Crown player's guide - the others are unavailable. Ratfolk is there though.
@FJ, 6.00.01 won't be updated to include the ARG. So I would download one of the later alpha or beta versions. In spite of their names we try VERY hard to make sure the code and data are rock solid.
@CCB, What problem are you experiencing loading the separate books? I'll take a stab at what you "might" be experiencing. On the advanced tab in the bottom there is a "Always use advanced sources" option, that if it isn't switched on defaults to the basic loader.
@FJ, 6.00.01 won't be updated to include the ARG. So I would download one of the later alpha or beta versions. In spite of their names we try VERY hard to make sure the code and data are rock solid.
@CCB, What problem are you experiencing loading the separate books? I'll take a stab at what you "might" be experiencing. On the advanced tab in the bottom there is a "Always use advanced sources" option, that if it isn't switched on defaults to the basic loader.
I hadn't noticed that. Maybe it will help. On the advanced tab, most of the supplements are in red, and attempts to load them essentially say they need prerequisites. For some of them, that might be just the core book, despite it being already loaded using the pathfinder society option.
This is for the alpha (109) - 6.00.01 works as I would expect, but I want changelings from the ARG.
My preference would be the GM choice (including all the bestiaries) and then add the supplements I want, like the inner sea primer and appropriate AP player's guide, but it's not working for me.
It would be nice if all the players guides were available. Failing that, some of the traits have a common pattern - eg a bonus to 1-2 skills and one skill becomes a class skill. A sort of generic campaign trait (choose skills as applicable) would be useful for the newest APs.
@MJ, If you can make html you can make the datasets for PCGen.
@CCB, It also could be that we switched to automatically loading (& unloading) sources with a character, this is for a more smooth process when working with a character. The downfall with this is that if you realize you forgot a source, or the GM lets you use a new source you have to go into the options turn off loading sources with the character, pre-load sources, and then open the character, and then you can use your new sources.
I just downloaded the pcgen also, and I am having trouble loading all the available books so far.
I have trouble understanding what you guys wrote. I suck with computers and use all those ok-maybe-not-so-complicated suggestions you have.
My problem is that I cannot load most of the books. I am in the select sources, advances tab, and some of the books appear red to me.
When I try to ''add selected'' them, it says: this book cannot be selected because it relies on another source: BOOKTYPE- core rules.
When I make a search with the core rules, only one book appears named: Pathfinder game core rulebook. Which is also red :/
So when I try to add selected this one, I get a new window that says that I cannot select this one as it relies on other sources, namely, less than 2 of (BOOKTYPE - core rules, BOOKTYPE - complete core, LESS than 1 of paizo pathfinder roleplaying game core rulebook must be selected.
Do I need to remove some of the ones I already selected already? Does it need another book to be selected already that I havent? Even though I selected all the available ones.
I am pretty sure I am doing something stupid or I am missing something obvious, or simply my English is not helping me.
Whatever help one can provide will be appreciated.
TLDR: how do you upload the red colored book sourced in the Select Sources -> Advanced, tab.
You can check out the files in my Crazy Character Emporium (discussion thread here). Therein you will find all kinds of useful stuff for character creation. It's less a character generator and more of a character sheet template though.
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Whizbang coders can can probably roll thier own on what's misssing.
I am a professional programmer, and I DID roll my own version of Treesinger Druids and Catfolk...just in time for the PCGen version of the ARG to be released.
However, up until now, I've been able to get away with just using the datasets that were available. They certainly already were pretty extensive.
When I make a search with the core rules, only one book appears named: Pathfinder game core rulebook. Which is also red :/
This should mean you already have a core rulebook loaded, which should be the pre-req for most of the others. However, some books have multiple pre-reqs. Can you tell us specifically which supplement you were trying to load?
When it comes to selecting source sets there are SIX sets to choose from to get Pathfinder going. The supplemental data sets such as the ones coded for DreamScarred and Rite publishing will only load for specific Pathfinder data sets and error out on everything else.
Try the latest Alpha version. It is much clearer as far as datasets go. The Dreamscarred datasets loaded flawlessly for me with just the 'Pathfinder RPG Core Supplements' dataset.
The datasets aren't XML, the output sheets are though.
Think I can help.
You'll notice if none are selected, many if not most in the list are red. As you select some- Core Rulebook for instance, some of the red ones switch to black. Likewise, Bestiary 3 is red until after you have selected Bestiary 1, and so on. It's a logic puzzle for which Rubik would be proud. Seems to be a very clever piece of kit once loaded though.BTW, anyone know which, if any, supplement I'd find the Scarred Rager (Barbarian Class)?
This is how it works for the stable version 6001, but for the latest alpha I am, for example, finding the following -
start up - screen for basic load of supplements.
If I load rpg for players, i.e. the core and apg, I cannot add the bestiary from the advanced tab, despite it only needing the core.
Edit: with some testing, having loaded the RPG for players (core and APG), it seems that most of the supplements that rely on the core are black and can be loaded, while those that need the APG are red and can't. The APG itself won't load, saying it needs the core. Neither will the Bestiary.
@CCB You are right, something changed in how those sets are viewed by the program. I'll enter a bug report.
If you load everything separately (or the All Supplements set) it will work the way you expect.
Edit: Initial question
@CCB You are right, something changed in how those sets are viewed by the program. I'll enter a bug report.
If you load everything separately (or the All Supplements set) it will work the way you expect.
:)