4e Fan Creations and House RulesWorking on variant powers? Statting up a PC race or your version of a monster? Creating or converting an adventure? Put it here!
Not exactly power cards, but monster cards have been part of this topic - I'm considering to resurrect a concept of monster cards I worked on previously based on the monster stat block. Is there interest in such a style?
It'll have several styles since the card dimensions can't be scripted - the above is just a test in a single style. Maybe another set of styles for longer texts.
I'd want that very much for my "special" monsters...
It'll have several styles since the card dimensions can't be scripted - the above is just a test in a single style. Maybe another set of styles for longer texts.
Based on your examples, I believe this is doable as a single template in MSE (I'd have to try it when I get home).
Basic outline:
* Card height set to maximum expected height (current version of MSE can't script this)
* Use a three part card background:
1) Header (everything before the first monster power)
2) Body (monster powers)
3) Footer (everything after the final monster power)
* You can define fixed heights for Header and Footer. The Body field's height calls a function.
* Have a set of images for the Body, body1.jpg, body2, etc. The # refers to the number of power blocks.
* Define a style option for the template, "Number of powers," a pulldown with 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
* The Body field's height function figures out how many pixels the body would be with the chosen number of powers.
* The Body field's image function picks its image based on the number of chosen powers.
I guess I could have been clearer - what you're suggesting is what I'm already doing, more or less. That's why there is that whitespace below. I only use one image for the power blocks (no reason for multiple images), and I currently have a styling option for 1 to 7 powers. I want to change the template so that there is no whitespace, though I'll have to see how it interacts with printing.
__________________ Also posts as Ashardalon (here and elsewhere) and as Eques Concordia and Guinea Pig (only elsewhere).
I guess I could have been clearer - what you're suggesting is what I'm already doing, more or less. That's why there is that whitespace below. I only use one image for the power blocks (no reason for multiple images), and I currently have a styling option for 1 to 7 powers. I want to change the template so that there is no whitespace, though I'll have to see how it interacts with printing.
Ah, ok. There's no way to have MSE have actually scaling card sizes, because the card size is required to be defined before any functions (at least in the current version of MSE). If you just want to make sure there's no wasted whitespace, you'll have to go with that other option you mentioned - multiple styles.
Not exactly power cards, but monster cards have been part of this topic - I'm considering to resurrect a concept of monster cards I worked on previously based on the monster stat block. Is there interest in such a style?
...
It'll have several styles since the card dimensions can't be scripted - the above is just a test in a single style. Maybe another set of styles for longer texts.
Aside from the colors (IMO), I like what you've done. I don't know if I'd use them, though. Compare Slam and StandinGround (Avalanche Titan): long text is crammed into small place but the simplest of entries takes up a lot of blank card space. I don't know if that can be fixed in MSE. It might become a problem when high level comes up, with many and more complex powers... But for original creations, they are great, no doubt in that.
I'm wondering, how difficult would it be to make a MSE template for cards that look just like the new Monster Manual statblocks? Something like four "cards" per page, and the back or side could have Monster Tactics and other descriptions... could even be used for PCs (pregens mostly), listing only basic attacks, feats, class/race features and possibly at-wills, leaving other abilities for Power Cards.
Aside from the colors (IMO), I like what you've done. I don't know if I'd use them, though. Compare Slam and StandinGround (Avalanche Titan): long text is crammed into small place but the simplest of entries takes up a lot of blank card space. I don't know if that can be fixed in MSE. It might become a problem when high level comes up, with many and more complex powers... But for original creations, they are great, no doubt in that.
Yep. For instance, the pit fiend's summoning power is problematic. Large powers can theoretically be spaces out over multiple power blocks (hm, gives me an idea), but that problem was one that I had in ind when I mentioned longer texts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by erf_beto
I'm wondering, how difficult would it be to make a MSE template for cards that look just like the new Monster Manual statblocks? Something like four "cards" per page, and the back or side could have Monster Tactics and other descriptions... could even be used for PCs (pregens mostly), listing only basic attacks, feats, class/race features and possibly at-wills, leaving other abilities for Power Cards.
As mentioned a few times by randolph and me, the problem is that card dimensions aren't scriptable, while the statblocks would want that. Field dimensions are scriptable, and the height of the field content can be accessed, so it is possible to put down a correctly sized color background for the texts and powers - the problem is that you don't know how big you have to make the cards.
__________________ Also posts as Knight Otu (here and elsewhere) and as Eques Concordia and Guinea Pig (only elsewhere).
What surpasses Ashardalon, is more despicable than the Great Wyrm?
I really like your monster cards minimalist feel but I would change the color (maybe red and white?). I would also try to keep them on 2.5 x 3.5 inches or in a horizontal layout (maybe the same size as DDM cards), keeping nice and se-metric card layouts goes a long way.
I downloaded the cards labeled "Tirian", and I prefer this design to the others, but I'm not seeing a Tirian template for putting in the MSE...am I missing it?
__________________ "I am the soul of honor, kindness, mercy, and goodness. Trust me in all things." Corwin to Dara, The Guns of Avalon by Roger Zelazny
I downloaded the Tirian stuff for Magic Set Editor, but every time I try and create one I get the following error
Package not found: 'C:\Program Files\Magic Set Editor 2\data\D&D-symbol.mse-symbol-font'
I'm guessing it's because in the video you have a both a "D&D" and a "D&D Tintagel" card set, but I've only downloaded the "D&D Tintagel" set (which is all the video mentions), but it isn't free standing, and must reference that "D&D" set somewhere.
So where can I get the D&D-symbol.mse-symbol-font folder? and/or can you correct the bug so that the Tintagel set is complete in itself?
Okay found the basic D&D stuff and install that but I've noticed that all the Black Symbols in the top left seem to be miss aligned. If you use BS or BM like in the tool tip. The aren't miss aligned if you do S or M like in the video.
I downloaded the Tirian stuff for Magic Set Editor, but every time I try and create one I get the following error
Package not found: 'C:\Program Files\Magic Set Editor 2\data\D&D-symbol.mse-symbol-font'
I'm guessing it's because in the video you have a both a "D&D" and a "D&D Tintagel" card set, but I've only downloaded the "D&D Tintagel" set (which is all the video mentions), but it isn't free standing, and must reference that "D&D" set somewhere.
So where can I get the D&D-symbol.mse-symbol-font folder? and/or can you correct the bug so that the Tintagel set is complete in itself?
I know you already found it, but to reiterate for other people having this problem - you need to get Randolph's set as well for the font folder. Then you'll be able to use the symbols.
I tried to create a blend between a few of the styles so far, and would like to know what you all think. I have thick skin so be nit-picky.
Questions I would like input on:
- Is the side bar interfering with the symmetry?
Love the side bar makes the card easy to read if you are fanning them as opposed to laying them all out on a table (so useful if space is an issue). Also looks like the miniature games cards.
Quote:
- is the top button better used for action or attack type?
I think action type, like you have it is fine.
Quote:
- Is it important to insert 'at-will' somewhere (middle tab, maybe) or is the card color enough?
It's good idea, some folks are colour blind and others don't have colour printers.
Quote:
- Should the 'Wizard Attack 1' stay on the bottom or go in one of the side tabs?
Keep it at the bottom it's not really important in play only when selecting the power.
Quote:
- And everything else you can think of, please flame vigorously and coherently.
I like it, I'd also like to see a black and white version for folks without colour printers.
Very nice work. However, as it's not quite what I was looking for, I've started tinkering with my own design (incorporating elements of the other sets, like the icons). It's still work in progress, but in case anyone's interested, I've attached some samples of what it looks like right now. Basically, I'm going to stick with a rather simple design and forego fancy graphics, as my printer wouldn't handle them very well anyway.
Also, I have this idea in my head of having the rules text on the card, but prominently featuring amply sized fields where I can fill in any variables so they are available at a glance. A landscape format seems to work best for that.
In case you're wondering, of course Eye Bite is normally an at-will ability, but it would be per encounter for my warlord.
Very nice work. However, as it's not quite what I was looking for, I've started tinkering with my own design (incorporating elements of the other sets, like the icons). It's still work in progress, but in case anyone's interested, I've attached some samples of what it looks like right now. Basically, I'm going to stick with a rather simple design and forego fancy graphics, as my printer wouldn't handle them very well anyway.
Also, I have this idea in my head of having the rules text on the card, but prominently featuring amply sized fields where I can fill in any variables so they are available at a glance. A landscape format seems to work best for that.
In case you're wondering, of course Eye Bite is normally an at-will ability, but it would be per encounter for my warlord.
cheers
I like what you've done there. Are you doing this through the MSE, and if so, would you mind posting the files you are using for it? Thanks!
__________________ "I am the soul of honor, kindness, mercy, and goodness. Trust me in all things." Corwin to Dara, The Guns of Avalon by Roger Zelazny
Ander, another big thumbs up. One thing I learned last night is that you DEFINITELY want a place on the cards to write the attack and damage for that particular character. A lot of time was spent figuring it out on the fly; having it right on the card would be great.
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At the moment it's simply a PSD. I'm not sure I'd bother with an MSE implementation myself, given that I have no experience with that, but of course anyone's welcome to give it a try. I probably won't really have time to fiddle with it until some time next week (hopefully in time for KotS), so in the meantime here's the current file, for anyone who'd like to do something with it.
__________________ - Piratecat, EN World Admin
Currently editing the 4e War of the Burning Sky adventure path. Support EN Publishing, get excellent modules!
Lots of awesome stuff here but I am confused, I have KoTS and would love to get some cards for the pregens there including the 2nd and 3rd level powers. I tried messing around with MSE before and got nowhere, has anyone compiled such a thing and if so is it in this thread?
That's why there is that whitespace below. I only use one image for the power blocks (no reason for multiple images), and I currently have a styling option for 1 to 7 powers. I want to change the template so that there is no whitespace, though I'll have to see how it interacts with printing.
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