PCGen Character Sheet Reader [Android Tablet App]


Pathfinder First Edition General Discussion


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Hello Paizo!

I was frustrated with the lack of PCGen support on Android devices, so decided to make my own app. The app is now available on the Play store (free and paid versions), and I'd love some people to test it out, give feedback and opinions etc! This is not an advert or attempt to get people to buy the app - I'm just looking for opinions and feedback as the testing I've been able to do with our group is rather limited.

Please note, this is a tablet app only, but I am working on a phone version!

Here's an imgur album of screenshots: http://imgur.com/a/2oUeM#0
Note, this app does not create your character or modify it in any way - it only reads an exported .XML file from PCGen and interprets the data into a nice, readable display format. Here is the information from the Play store:
This app is developed around my knowledge of Pathfinder, but should be compatible with most popular d20 games.
PCGen Character Sheet Lite allows you to import .xml files generated by PCGen to create dynamic character sheets for use on your Android Tablet.
If you want a character sheet app for your device but don't want to enter all the information manually onto your device, PCGen can do all the hard work of creating your character for you, and then just email it to yourself, import it into the App and make your character sheet mobile.
When you want to level up, just update your character on PCGen, email it to yourself and re-import!
Features include:
*Custom Dice rollers
*Stat Linking - allows adjustments to stats to filter through to other areas of the sheet such as Skills and Attacks
*Multiple character sheets, easily managed through tabs
*Keep track of spell casting, health, subdual damage etc...
*Campaign notes
*Interactive help
Things to note:
*Ideally the minimum screen resolution of your device should be 1280x720, and the screen size at least 7", lower res/smaller devices may display the character sheets without issues, but cannot be guaranteed.
*My D&D group play Pathfinder, so all my knowledge for Stat Linking is based around that rule set, but hopefully it will be compatible with most d20 games. If not Stat Linking can be switched off.
*There is no copyrighted content within the app, all spell descriptions etc... are taken from the .xml import, which is generated by PCGen.
*All code used to make the character sheet look familiar to PCGen users, is my own.
*CMB - the app detects whether your imported CMB Stat value is the same as your STR or DEX modifier, to determine which stat should affect it through Stat Linking (due to certain feats, whether you character size is Tiny etc...)
*Conditional Save and Combat modifiers don't appear to actually be exported in the .xml, which is why the boxes will be empty, the boxes are present however to balance out the look and feel of the character sheet, and in preparation in case the information is exported in the future (though an app update would be required to read it).
*Stat Linking does not affect damage done by bows, as the .xml does not identify Composite bows, if the name and description is custom and did not use the word "Composite" the app would have no way of knowing, so this was omitted.
*There is no ammo tracking as the .xml does not provide enough information to efficiently do this.
*Max Dex for AC does not stop the DEX component of AC from being adjusted using Stat Linking, this is due to if you have changed your armour in a session and may therefore want to ignore the Max Dex value.
*If you have you imported a problematic .xml file and the app crashes every time it loads, use the app settings in android to clear data associated with the app.
*Use the csheet_fantasy_generic_export.xml template to create your .xml file, all .xml files need to have the word PCGEN somewhere in the file name (upper/lower/mixed case is fine), and the extension must remain .xml, the app will try to read the files from default Downloads directory of your device, which is where email applications such as GMail should save files to by default.
If you have any problems with an .xml file or if you think something is wrong with how things are done, feel free to email me at dysfunctional.apps@gmail.com (preferably with the .xml file).
Due to the vast number of class/feat/ability/gear combinations, there may well be bugs with the app. If that's the case, please email the me directly at dysfunctional.apps@gmail.com, or post here and I'll get back to you about it!
Thanks for looking, and I hope you enjoy the app! Any feedback gratefully appreciated!
And a big thankyou to my friend for letting me use his Character Sheet as the Demo!
Here's the Play store links:

PCGen Character Sheet Lite - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dysfunctional.apps.pcgenc haractersheetlite
PCGen Character Sheet Reader - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dysfunctional.apps.pcgenc haractersheet

Just added support for Android 4.0!


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Do you have any plans for a full on creator? Regardless, I'm testing this out and looks to be pretty boss so far...will most likely buy within the next couple of day, maybe tonight even.


I posted it to our main forums so you'll get some more traffic. :)

Also note that starting with 6.03+ we're going to be transitioning to the Freemarker output system. This might help you with customizing the xml file for what you want.

http://wiki.pcgen.org/Template_Engine


Thanks Lucas and Nylanfs - unfortunately my dysfunctionalapps logon isn's letting me post replies, so I have set up a personal one.

Just a note v1.01b added Android 4.0 support, but unfortunately, there is feature used that is only available in 4.1+, a fix is being developed as soon as possible.

Just a quick question Nylanfs, will PCGen 6.03 still have the csheet_fantasy_generic_export.xml as well as the Freemarker output system? Or will it completely replace it?


That's still up in the air ATM, all the character sheets will eventually migrate over (this is probably over a multi-year timeframe also).

I just like giving a heads up when I see people using output sheets for things other than a pure character sheet. :)

You also might want to check out the other output files to see if they might give you options that you need.

Also if you want to make your own output go ahead, and then make a JIRA tracker attach the file and we'll put it in the regular releases.


Cool I'll have a look into the Freemarker output, but as I do this in my free time, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't just going to suddenly stop working.

Also v1.01c has been submitted with a fix to the android 4.0 bug


Ok v1.1b has now been submitted and should show up in a few hours, I have now combined the tablet and phone version into 1 version rather than a separate one for tablets and a separate one for phones. This means if you paid for the tablet version you now have the ad free version for your phone

I have discontinued the phone version, so if you were using the lite phone version, you can now just download the other lite version, you will need to re-import character sheets though.

I can only see one purchase of the full phone version (stats do update slowly though) so hopefully this hasn't inconvenienced too many people, if it was one of you guys who bought it please give me your order number and I will look into sorting something out for you, be it a refund or trying to gift you the expanded version.

Dark Archive

Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Any chance of translating this for other OSs?


YogoZuno wrote:
Any chance of translating this for other OSs?

I will if the Android version takes off (i.e. makes enough money to buy an iOS developer licence which is $99)


Oh look, it works on my phone now too. :)


killzusall wrote:
YogoZuno wrote:
Any chance of translating this for other OSs?
I will if the Android version takes off (i.e. makes enough money to buy an iOS developer licence which is $99)

Not to be greedy, but the Windows App Store might be another place to consider. Given that RT has limitations, it may worthwhile to explore options there, too. Admittedly, though, it likely won't be the cash cow of the operation.


On the PCGen FB page we're seeing several people that can't use it because of being in a country other than the US. :(

https://www.facebook.com/PCGen/posts/10152478045707159


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Fig wrote:
killzusall wrote:
YogoZuno wrote:
Any chance of translating this for other OSs?
I will if the Android version takes off (i.e. makes enough money to buy an iOS developer licence which is $99)
Not to be greedy, but the Windows App Store might be another place to consider. Given that RT has limitations, it may worthwhile to explore options there, too. Admittedly, though, it likely won't be the cash cow of the operation.

Hi Fig

I will look into that at some point as well, the main aim is to get it to a good standard first, and then expand.

Nylanfs wrote:

On the PCGen FB page we're seeing several people that can't use it because of being in a country other than the US. :(

https://www.facebook.com/PCGen/posts/10152478045707159

Thanks Nylanfs, I will see to it asap, I added a load of countries the other night, so quite happy to add some more, as it's an english only app (I'm not fluent in anything else), I didn't want to annoy users by posting it to non-english speaking countries.


Killzusall wrote:
Nylanfs wrote:

On the PCGen FB page we're seeing several people that can't use it because of being in a country other than the US. :(

https://www.facebook.com/PCGen/posts/10152478045707159

Thanks Nylanfs, I will see to it asap, I added a load of countries the other night, so quite happy to add some more, as it's an english only app (I'm not fluent in anything else), I didn't want to annoy users by posting it to non-english speaking countries.

Now released across the world


Just in case anyone here is having trouble with Feats option on the Lite version, I have submitted a fix (v1.2) - this can take a few hours to appear on Google Play.


v1.21
-------

*Added Dropbox support - for anyone who was having trouble getting sheets to their device!
*Added Critical Focus recognition for Pathfinder players!
*Tidied up the AC labels in portrait mode (Tablets)

Unfortunately on a small number of devices the save file would sometimes corrupt, I have tried to catch this so it will just reload the demo sheet, hopefully this is better than it just crashing!

***Unfortunately this fix will mean you need to re-import, sorry***


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Great app. But has anyone else noticed a problem with the CMD? It seems to be displaying Bull Rush and Overrun the wrong way round. Not a big problem, I admit, but if there's a fix...?


Tony Cotterill wrote:
Great app. But has anyone else noticed a problem with the CMD? It seems to be displaying Bull Rush and Overrun the wrong way round. Not a big problem, I admit, but if there's a fix...?

Hi Tony

Thanks for downloading the app, and your positive comment.

I had not noticed the CMD issues and will look into it.


Just to let you know a fix has been submitted (v1.21c), it can take a few hours before it's shows up in the Google Play store.

If you spot anything else, please let me know!


Thanks, that's put it right :)


Any way we can get an iPad Version? :D I know it's a totally different setup, figured can't hurt to ask.


AlaskaRPGer wrote:
Any way we can get an iPad Version? :D I know it's a totally different setup, figured can't hurt to ask.

I'd like to create an iPad version, but at the moment I don't have the time or money, as it would need to be written from scratch to work on iOS and I'd need a Mac for using XCode :(


Just saw this and snapped up the paid version. I've got a couple questions.

1. What's the difference between the two versions?
2. What is the feasibility of supporting multiple input formats? I'm thinking about YAPCG.


killzusall wrote:


I'd like to create an iPad version, but at the moment I don't have the time or money, as it would need to be written from scratch to work on iOS and I'd need a Mac for using XCode :(

Booooooooo

I understand, 100%, but booooo (and I am aware it's out of your control).


GinoA wrote:


Just saw this and snapped up the paid version. I've got a couple questions.

1. What's the difference between the two versions?
2. What is the feasibility of supporting multiple input formats? I'm thinking about YAPCG.

First of all thank you for buying the app, it a) spurs me on to keep making it better, and b) helps cover any costs I have incurred (i.e. Google Player Developer licence and Android test devices).

In answer to your questions:

1. The only difference between the two is the adverts. I may at some point add some "Pro only" features.

2. I am currently working on Hero Lab support and am hoping to have it live very soon, I am open to other formats as well though, would you be able to send me some YAPCG output files so I can see how easy it would be to implement (dysfunctional.apps@gmail.com)


Hero Lab version now available

Hero Lab Character Sheet
Hero Lab Character Sheet Lite <-- FREE


Advice wanted:

If you were using the free Lite version, would you rather have the banner ad always displaying (not great on small screens), or would you rather have a large ad that pops up every now and then?


Looking for Beta testers of the latest version of the apps, if you are interested please join this community:

http://plus.google.com/communities/115843119435790454610

I will try to approve requests to join within 24hrs


Apologies if you tried to join and couldn't, when I set it up it asked if I wanted to hide it from searches, I thought if a gave you the link it would be ok, I didn't realise it would make it invite only, it's been changed so you can ask to join now.

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Rulebook, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Any chance of getting the app onto Amazon's kindle store? I believe it would be the exact same app as the android version, just available through another store.

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