So I'm looking for ways to make my games better. One thing I want to do is use Power Point on my tablet to show things with a description next to the picture.
I'm also going to be printing out the rooms or encounter areas with 1 inch squares on them so I don't have to take the time in game to draw.
Are there any things that you do that don't eat up a lot of your prep time?
Before Paizo changed the PDFs to make extraction impossible, I used to use the engineering printer at the local staples to print out the maps at battlescale size. Paizo locked down the PDFs so it can't be done any more. This also really messes up their use for VTTs.
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Before Paizo changed the PDFs to make extraction impossible, I used to use the engineering printer at the local staples to print out the maps at battlescale size. Paizo locked down the PDFs so it can't be done any more. This also really messes up their use for VTTs.
Do you have an example of some of the scenarios where that's no longer possible?
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I haven't had any problems extracting maps from PDFs. I'm running Giantslayer online and have pulled images out for use in MapTool. Of course, I do it myself manually; perhaps it's Staples that's changed their software?
Bob, one thing I do at the table is pull the pictures of monsters and NPCs out of the PDFS and display them on a monitor. I have a group of players that's been around since AD&D and are pretty blase about monsters. If I say, "You see a wight," they shrug; if I say, "You see this" and put up one of Paizo's pictures (of a wight), they're like, "What the heck is that thing!? It looks scary!"
Of course, if they make the Knowledge roll, they can identify what they're fighting, but I find they react more viscerally to a picture than to a physical description of a monster.
I haven't had any problems getting the maps from the Iron Gods adventure. I'm just experimenting with the printing.
My plan with the encounters is to have the pictures along with any important information. I'm also going to have the information printed about what they know with knowledge checks. The inquisitor will be very grateful.
I use Hero Lab for the combats. The players like rolling their own initiative and I don't require them to use Hero Lab. I like having the monsters all go at different times it makes combat more interesting.
Much of that is part of hero lab. I haven't had any issues using the PRD online. What makes masterwork tools better? I'm always down to do something better.
I haven't had any problems extracting maps from PDFs. I'm running Giantslayer online and have pulled images out for use in MapTool. Of course, I do it myself manually; perhaps it's Staples that's changed their software?
Staples has nothing to do with the problem. I use Foxit PDF reader to extract images from a PDF and then set them up in Scribus for the size I need, Then I export from Scribus a same size PDF which I have them print. but all of the newer scenarios now give me a notice that security settings do not allow this extraction.
This is pretty much all of the PFS Scenarios from the current Season. Giantslayer predates Season 7, if I'm correct.
Have you tried a different reader? I just copy the section of the map I want and edit in MS paint.
I kind of go overboard on my setup right now. I use Fat Dragon Games and other papercraft PDFs for 3d terrain. I use Hero Lab for most battles and designing NPCs. We used a fog machine once but my smoke detectors didn't like that. I've got surround sound setup around the room so my soundscapes and music feel very immersive. And my newest addition are Philips Hue bulbs which I'm slowly programming for different settings (e.g. pulsing yellow, orange, and red for in a volcano, blues for underwater, etc.).
Hue is really cool and easy to program for. I imagine it's only a matter of time before a tabletop-game-focused app comes out. And bonus points if you can sync up sounds for things like spell effects and lightning strikes. I'm on my way there.
Have you tried a different reader? I just copy the section of the map I want and edit in MS paint.
The thing is... that method gives you a lower resolution version of that picture. I use extraction to squeeze out as many pixels as I can...which is rather important when I'm printing up to 36x48 inches.
Is it possible to unlock the pdf?
Is it possible to unlock the pdf?
Not unless Paizo gives away the key,which isn't going to happen, or someone hacks it. Any further discussion on those lines is asking for a threadlock, so I'll drop this here.
I'm sad now, making massive maps like that that sounds like a really awesome idea :(
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Have you tried a different reader? I just copy the section of the map I want and edit in MS paint.The thing is... that method gives you a lower resolution version of that picture. I use extraction to squeeze out as many pixels as I can...which is rather important when I'm printing up to 36x48 inches.
Before Paizo changed the PDFs to make extraction impossible, I used to use the engineering printer at the local staples to print out the maps at battlescale size. Paizo locked down the PDFs so it can't be done any more. This also really messes up their use for VTTs.Do you have an example of some of the scenarios where that's no longer possible?
Have you tried a different reader? I just copy the section of the map I want and edit in MS paint.The thing is... that method gives you a lower resolution version of that picture. I use extraction to squeeze out as many pixels as I can...which is rather important when I'm printing up to 36x48 inches.Before Paizo changed the PDFs to make extraction impossible, I used to use the engineering printer at the local staples to print out the maps at battlescale size. Paizo locked down the PDFs so it can't be done any more. This also really messes up their use for VTTs.Do you have an example of some of the scenarios where that's no longer possible?
All of the Season 7's that I've tried so far.
Fair enough. I don't need really high resolution. I just want to have the rooms predrawn with proper grid placement. I don't need nor want to go beyond that. It's not necessary for my games.
Fair enough. I don't need really high resolution. I just want to have the rooms predrawn with proper grid placement. I don't need nor want to go beyond that. It's not necessary for my games.
For the big maps I print out, high resolution originals are neccessary to meet the standards you stated.
So I'm looking for ways to make my games better. One thing I want to do is use Power Point on my tablet to show things with a description next to the picture.
I'm also going to be printing out the rooms or encounter areas with 1 inch squares on them so I don't have to take the time in game to draw.
Are there any things that you do that don't eat up a lot of your prep time?
I have been playing with ambient sounds. There are many sites on the web where you can go and use their premade sound or make your own combo's from their files to create background sounds.
My campaign group is currently going through a haunted forest region during a 5 day rain storm so I have been using heavy rain sounds with wind and blow plant branches for ambience during play. When they Found the crypt they were looking for I swtiched it to the crypt sound pack once they were down there. Really changed the mood.
I keep forgetting to do weather for my games. I have the dice. I should use them.
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All of the Season 7's that I've tried so far.
Could you name a couple, so I can test if I have the same problems? A first spot check doesn't give me any trouble with The Forgotten Inheritance for example.
EDIT: I couldn't just copy and paste one of the maps from Thralls of the Shattered God, but I was able to extract it at good quality with this website.