So my group has been using an old dry eraser mat for Few years and its worked well (took us all the way through Runelords and a bit in a few others) but i was thinking of upgrading. I've read about projectors or using tablets. But I'm not sure. Most of our group has tablets so i was thinking maybe that route but we all play in the same room and a lot of that software seems complicated and made for long distance playing. Projectors seem either expensive or require playing in the dark. I mostly want something that will show torch/Darkvision radius and fog of war effects. If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.
So my group has been using an old dry eraser mat for Few years and its worked well (took us all the way through Runelords and a bit in a few others) but i was thinking of upgrading. I've read about projectors or using tablets. But I'm not sure. Most of our group has tablets so i was thinking maybe that route but we all play in the same room and a lot of that software seems complicated and made for long distance playing. Projectors seem either expensive or require playing in the dark. I mostly want something that will show torch/Darkvision radius and fog of war effects. If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.
A decent projector will work in semi-light. Any of you work at a place where you can borrow a projector? If you really wanted fancy you could project 'down' onto the table with Roll 20.
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Problem with Digital Map Projection Programs..In Order to have a Separate GM(DM) and a Players Vs.They Require Two Versions and two Separate System to Run Effectively..and They require separate Licenses for each version. And The Players usually have to have their own Systems and License in order to run their own Characters...
Yes you Can do a Work around in a Graphics Program like Gimp, Photoshop..Sure there are some cool set ups but nothing perfect out of the Box so to speak...
Digital Projection would be perfect if you had a Permanent Game room..
I have used my projector to Show Maps..I wish I had a Place to do Permanent Set up.Right Now I show on a Sheet on a Wall..Otherwise It is rarely worth all the effort to set it up in Order to do a Scale Projection onto a Table Top...
You can run two instances of Fantasy Grounds on the same system and then project the player instance onto the table or display on a 2nd monitor or TV and still have the full map and/or campaign details on the GM only view. This is done with just one license and can be run without an active Internet connection as long as you don't need your players connected. We have at least one guy that brings a TV with his laptop to PaizoCon and runs the game that way -- without having to worry about the Internet connection.
If you are willing to take the time, MapTool is free, and has all of the features you are looking for. You can use a much smaller set of the features to start, and add as you go.
My group did this for the entire Kingmaker AP, and it worked quite well for us. The players didn't use any of the macroing, since we were all at the same table, but I did so for my convenience, and the lighting and vision-blocking options made for interesting combats.
MapTool, totally free, has all the tools you want immediately ready, and you can make far greater wonders with it than the mere basic features, if you ever decide to take the time to learn how to write macros. Random examples include one-click attack buttons, random treasure generators, and a lot other invaluable tools for both GMs and players.