D&D 5E Screenshot Hero Lab 5e (Non-Official, Homebrew)

[Morrus]

Hey, question, are there licensing issues with you distributing the code with basic set content? Or even the framework with dummy content entirely?

Yes. The basic content is just as copyrighted as the rest of the content.

Dummy content should be OK though.

 

[MagicSN]

Hey, question, are there licensing issues with you distributing the code with basic set content? Or even the framework with dummy content entirely?

License issues also exist for basic game that the pdf is free does not remove intellectual property. The framework without content? First it is very hard to separate content from the maths for the content. For example the archer fighting style is for one the text snippet describing the fighting style and for another the change to the attack calculation without both in place the tool will just error out. I could disable some content but to make it useful again then would require a LOT of coding from the user and ALL missing parts need at least rudimentary (empty) implementation for the tool to start. And - where does the intellectual property start? Are skill and class names alteady for exAmple or which level gives what proficiency bonus? Sadly I believe this is the case.

 

[MagicSN]

Yes. The basic content is just as copyrighted as the rest of the content.

Dummy content should be OK though.

The problem is dummy content without the logic handling the calculations for attack bonus etc - which probably would mean ip infringment if released is worthless the major part of
the work was implementing how various feats effect the character
sheet for example that a lore bard can choose more skill proficiencies.

 

[Morrus]

The problem is dummy content without the logic handling the calculations for attack bonus etc - which probably would mean ip infringment if released is worthless the major part of
the work was implementing how various feats effect the character
sheet for example that a lore bard can choose more skill proficiencies.

Sure. I wasn't saying it was easy or useful or doable; just that it would be legally OK.

 

[Jester David]

I am sad that you cannot share.
I am happy at the apparent ease. If one person can do it in a couple months, a team of a half-dozen should be able to do it in less, assuming Lone Wolf can work out something with WotC. We need digital tools and this is an excellent proof of concept.

 

[aramis erak]

The problem is dummy content without the logic handling the calculations for attack bonus etc - which probably would mean ip infringment if released is worthless the major part of
the work was implementing how various feats effect the character
sheet for example that a lore bard can choose more skill proficiencies.

The calculations are not protected nor protectable.

 

[MagicSN]

I am sad that you cannot share.
I am happy at the apparent ease. If one person can do it in a couple months, a team of a half-dozen should be able to do it in less, assuming Lone Wolf can work out something with WotC. We need digital tools and this is an excellent proof of concept.

Believe me it is more than just a proof of concept. For example my code is doing several things better than other released datafiles for Hero Lab. For the case that Lone Wolf acquires a licence for 5e the offer stands that they can get my complete datafiles (without charge) so they can release 5e Support the same day they acquire a licence (they might wish to "beauty up" the GUI in this case - and if they take me up for the offer, assuming they can acquire a licence at all - I think the GUI of the Pathfinder module of Hero Lab looks much nicer than the Authoring Kit's GUI.

But your point is well observed, if I did it in my freetime, it proofs that a company should be able to do it (some parts of the implementation were quite tricky BTW, especially the stuff like IF the character is of subclass xy AND of at least level thisandthat he gets THIS feat, also the slot calculation of spells for multiclass - you might have noticed the slot-display on page 2 which is a part of the code I am especially proud of - it even takes things like "Ring of Wizardry" from the Playtest into account for the number of spell slots).

 

[Henrix]

One important thing for wizards, if they'd consider using Hero labs is whether the data can be protected.

I have very little experience of Hero lab, and none of how it looks on the inside.

Can it be protected?


(Not that I think wizards'd go for it directly. No doubt they want something specific for D&D, and that can handle all they want, including ebooks.)

 

[MagicSN]

One important thing for wizards, if they'd consider using Hero labs is whether the data can be protected.

I have very little experience of Hero lab, and none of how it looks on the inside.

Can it be protected?


(Not that I think wizards'd go for it directly. No doubt they want something specific for D&D, and that can handle all they want, including ebooks.)

There are two ways - the stuff based on the Authoring Kit like my D&D 5e stuff is fully readable (plain text). But it seems there is some converter program (which is only available to Lone Wolf themselves) which converts it into some custom, non-readable format. For example the Pathfinder module is in this format (as Lone Wolf charges money for the Pathfinder module). So the answer is yes, it can be protected. But only Lone Wolfs themselves can do a protected module.

 

[Nebulous]

Looks like someone just wants attention.

What a silly thing to say. He worked his butt off to create this and wanted to share. I'm very impressed. And if one dude can do it then a team of dedicated pros with a budget should be able to make something even better.