SR4 Character Generator, Dev Started Options

[bahwi]

Hey, my SR4 Character Generator is being worked on but I'm making releases so people can see my progress and give me feedback.

So far all it does is Attributes and Races, it lists the skills but you can't purchase them yet. Let me know how you like the interface.

Also, this supports localization, so if anyone wants to translate it to their language let me know. You don't have to do any coding or know how to code.

Again, it's not done, not by a long shot. But everything is stored on a database then exported to a static file, so it's easy to add new races(variants when they come out), gear, skills, qualities, etc.. Although I'm only up to races and skills so far.

You need Firefox 1.5RC1 to use it, get it here:
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/firefox

Once you've got that, go to:
http://www.hellhoundbarandgrill.com/sr4cha...hargen/install/

To install the program. Restart FF. Then to get to it, you just need to type chrome://sr4chargen/content/sr4chargen.xul into the Location bar(where you would type http:// url's).

To check for updates, you just go to Tools->Extensions->Find Updates.

It's not done, not by far, but I appreciate any feedback and any help.

It will, at some point in the future, run stand alone from Firefox. But right now, it's needed. You can run it in it's own window by doing this:

Start -> Run
firefox -chrome chrome://sr4chargen/content

But it looks really bad, I'm still working on it and that's not a priority at this time. It will have the ability to save/load characters, both in it's native format(which is just JSON, for all you in the know) and in an XML Format. I'll have an HTML output, which will bring up FF and the print window automatically.

I'm also considering using my server as a central DB store, so you can store your character online and your GM can get it. (You can subscribe characters to a game, your GM can see it, can give out Karma that way. GM can also see all characters in the game for quick ref). That's a lot more programming, and right now I'm concerned about getting the Character Generator part finished and working.

I'm trying to do at least one update a day, normally at night(I'm in Central US time).

Let me know what you think. I'm going to post updates here and at http://www.hellhoundbarandgrill.com/ at some point.

Data Entry for everything is the big hard part, if anyone is interested let me know. I've got one person who did the Skills and is willing to do more, but Gear especially is going to take a lot of time or people.

[bahwi]

Oh yeah, it will run on Mac(or at least should, let me know!) and *Nix. I can test it on FreeBSD but if someone tests it on Linux or something else, let me know so I can say that it does work and has been tested. This'll matter more when it's complete though.

[bahwi]

Just a quick update for everbody:

Races/Attributes working.
Skills working except for the free knowledge skill pts and the cap on how many additional knowledge skill points you can buy. Need to be able to specialize, need freeform for language and knowledge skills, and native language. All not hard, just a little tedious, but it's coming along nicely.

[JBlades]

That's really cool! Looking forward to updates. Thanks for the hard work!

[Slacker]

About the attributes, the limit of only 1 attribute at the natural maximum is for the Physical/Mental attributes only. It doesn't apply on the special attributes: Edge, Magic, or Resonance.
Currently, you have it applying to Edge.

[Gothic Rose]

Can I suggest having a field that allows you to modify the starting BPs? That way, you can build varying power characters.

[bahwi]

Oops. Sorry about that. I'll fix the attribute cap, that won't be difficult.

The way I've got everything set up is to allow adjusting of the starting BP, it's just not implemented quite yet, but it is there(as well as adjusting the costs of everything). I'm trying to keep it as flexible as possible. Thanks for the input though, I'll see when I can get that implemented.

[bahwi]

Ok. I made some quick updates.

If you've got it installed, goto Tools->Extensions->Find Updates and go from there.

You should get 0.1.6, if not, clear your cache should help or just wait(it'll pop up there at some point on it's own). Or uninstall it and reinstall it as above.

I fixed the cap attribute, now it is only physical and mental attributes that can only have one at 6.

I also made is so you can change the starting bp. Just goto Tools->Extensions
Highligt the SR4 Character Generator and click the Options button(or Right click on the SR4 Chargen).

Also, you can now get to the SR4 Character generator using Tools->Shadowrun Chargen

A few other minor changes, still gotta finish the skills(free knowledge skill points, cap knowledge skill points, specializations, open entry). Didn't get much done this weekend, but will be doing more tonight, so expect another release late tonight or in the morning.

Anyone good at graphics wanna make an icon or two for this? Let me know. I'd sure appreciate it.

Enjoy,
--Joey

[Redhammer the Ol...]

hi joey,

do not want to be complaining but any idea why I cannot install in Linux with Firefox 1.5 RC?
I get the message:

! An error occured: -210

Anybody else managed to solve that riddle?

Thanks

[bahwi]

Are you on Ubuntu? I'm only seeing access from an Ubuntu Linux client but it's at 1.0.7 version of Firefox.

"Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-GB; rv:1.7.12) Gecko/20051010 Firefox/1.0.7 (Ubuntu package 1.0.7)"

I'm not seeing any other linux clients trying to access it. I'll boot into FreeBSD to make sure it's not on my side, if you can check to make sure you're using RC 1.5

Type about: into the URL line and let me know what it says. I definately want this working on Linux, *BSD, and Mac, so any help is greatly appreciated. =)

[Redhammer the Ol...]

[bahwi]

Awesome. =) Glad to hear it. The color scheme is whatever theme Firefox is using, so it changes with the theme. At some point I'll have skinning implemented, but trying to get it all finished. I've got knowledge skills working on my dev version, so an update should be soon, but between a bad migraine on tues and work the rest of the week I haven't had much time. Keep the feedback comin' though.

[bahwi]

Alright, sorry it's been slow, I'll have a good update after Thanksgiving. Works been crazy but I'm still here with my eye on the final release(far from the current).

[SimpleRunner]

The point totals on the File bar reflect the proper costs however the point costs where the Attributes area is showing the costs correct till you get to the last point and goes from 40 to 85.

1 = Free
2 = 10 bp |
3 = 10 bp |
4 = 10 bp |
5 = 10 bp |
6 = 25 bp |
T = 65 bp \--> = total of 65 bp

Looks great so far!

[dog_xinu]

[bahwi]

Ok, I've gotten the attribute costs max to be correct. It'll be in the 0.1.7 version when it comes out(Tools->Extensions->Find Updates->Update) but that'll probably be sometime tomorrow or the next day.

I'll have some bulk data input forms at some point, but for now sit tight.

I am still alive and working on it, with real work deadlines hanging over my head. =(

But a line of code is a line closer, right?

Hopefully more than that though.

[Tanka]

Are the Skill Groups missing, or is it just me?

[bahwi]

They'll be there next update.

[Tanka]

Shiny.

[Cang]

this is pretty niffty

[bahwi]

Thanks, I appreciate the comments. I _will_ for real, for sure, have time to work on it today, so expect some changes tomorrow and hopefully some more on Monday. Gonna set up a site so people can help enter data as well.

[Lordmalachdrim]

Very nice

[JBlades]

Just wanted to let you know:
1.) Spellcasting is listed under Combat Active skills instead of Magical Active.
2.) I think you missed Perception.
3.) This is sweet! :)

Merry Christmas!

[TeeSeeJay]

1. It works on my mac 10.3.9.
2. I really like the idea that it's portable and browser-based.

Some suggestions.

A. the skill purchaser: can the rating be a text input with a spinner instead of a drop-down list?
B. How difficult would it be to GPL this thing and go open-source with it? My thought is that a lot of the value of it is in its upkeep after the engine is built, which necessarily involves a lot of data entry (equipment, skill descriptions, etc.) which can be tedious.
C. I'm sure you're still working on the skill portion, and it definately needs some free-form input for the knowledge and language skills.

Looking forward to updates. Thanks.

[Mr.Platinum]

Hey I liek this, can't waite till it's done.