E-Tools: What can it do?

[kingpaul]

After I use Etools (the first version)

What version of eTools are you on? The latest is 1.5.666. The patch for the program and the 3.0 core rules are both free and available on CMP's website. CMP also has for sale all the 3.0 WotC books, all the 3.0 WotC books converted to 3.5, many of the 3.5 and d20 Modern WotC books for sale as datasets.

 

[talmar]

After I use Etools (the first version), I then make mods using an html editor (Frontpage) to make other changes. Have been since Etools don't support alot of "weird stuff" I had to have for a character I was playing, not to mention it didn't go into epic levels or do race substitution.

I'd love to know if the new version of etools can support racial substitution (for my half dragon paladin) so I don't have to manipulate that on my own and less manual adjustment is always good!

There are several threads over at the CMP forums about how different users have implemented racial substitution levels. The existing code for eTools does not support racial substitution levels by default but several people have found work arounds.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I have both E-Tools and PCGen. I get a lot more use out of PCGen, and since I do not use most of the WotC books beyond the core three I do not purchase much in the way of the official updates.

In regards to PCGen - the markup language is awkward, but the program is very flexible. With work you can do a lot that E-Tools just cannot do.

I do not think that I will be buying RPGT when it comes out, too many differences with the company. (I bought the original E-Tools when it came out, which will not be honored for upgrade purposes.)

The Auld Grump

 

[kingpaul]

I do not think that I will be buying RPGT when it comes out, too many differences with the company. (I bought the original E-Tools when it came out, which will not be honored for upgrade purposes.)

They explain why in the RPGT Prelim FAQ

I already own e-Tools. Do I get an "upgrade price?"

Since this is not a new version of e-Tools, but a brand new product, there is no "upgrade price" for RPGT. There will however be a "CMP customer discount." So if you have purchased e-Tools from our online store, or at a convention directly from us (i.e. we can track & confirm this), then you will be eligible for a discount (amount yet to be determined).

This one has been a serious bone of contention for some people, so let us elaborate more on why we've chosen this route...

In the beginning there was e-Tools 1.0 (three varieties no less). It was created by another company. Because of numerous issues (that we won't discuss here) Wizards of the Coast approached CMP to take over stewardship of e-Tools. Initially, we were contracted to fix fourty-two bugs as our only obligation. Since taking over e-Tools we have fixed over 1000 bugs and added over 500 features (not counting the 100+ data sets we've also released) over the course of half a dozen patches to the code. e-Tools has gone as far as we can take it without requiring a total rewrite to the code. Since it's easier to create a new program from scratch than to rewrite all the old code, RPG Toolkit was born.

In short, we've received no compensation from those that purchased e-Tools from the previous company, and we've gone far above and beyond what we originally agreed to do. We know that doesn't sit well with some people, and for that we're sorry you don't agree, but we are a business and we have to make some tough decisions like this. However...

 

[talmar]

I do not think that I will be buying RPGT when it comes out, too many differences with the company. (I bought the original E-Tools when it came out, which will not be honored for upgrade purposes.)

The Auld Grump

I too fall into this category but I never expected to get a discount on a new piece of software.

It's a new piece of software and I would expect to have to pay for it.

I think it's amazing that I'll be able to transfer my $200.00 in purchased datasets to the new software for free. Now that is practically unheard of. Best case scenario I believed I'd have to pay 1/2 the cost of the datasets to migrate them over to a completely new piece of software.

 

[Vascant]

I too fall into this category but I never expected to get a discount on a new piece of software.

It's a new piece of software and I would expect to have to pay for it.

I think it's amazing that I'll be able to transfer my $200.00 in purchased datasets to the new software for free. Now that is practically unheard of. Best case scenario I believed I'd have to pay 1/2 the cost of the datasets to migrate them over to a completely new piece of software.

1. I believe both ETools and the new product will be CharGens and they will stop supporting ETools to support the next product. In the software industry this is very common grounds for upgrade pricing however, it is a nightmare to handle.

2. Data migration, very common and in fact a huge issue if you do not.

I think the saying goes, pick your battles. CMP can prove 100% who has legit Datasets while it cannot do the same with the upgrade from ETools.

As for me it is simple why I will not be purchasing it, CMP will no longer be focused on my game and my OS. The libraries needed to work on multiple OS` has already caused delays (And this is just the beginning). It isn't an arguement, it is a fact.. All I care about is d20. Judging from what I heard about the pricing, they know they are going to lose customers and the gamble they will gain new/more customers from crossing over into new markets they could not touch before.

Taking this from a purely business stand point, CMP is doing very well thanks to recent errors by others. RPGXplorer could have done some damage to the market share but I think they slipped up a little to much to even come close.

Now when either company releases NPC Generation functionality, of course I will buy it. In all honesty, I need someone else to. When it comes down to DM Tools, thats the biggest one in my opinion, combat trackers and abilities to handle campaign notes are nice but they do nothing to really make the life of a busy DM better.

So for software instead of looking at the fact companies are changing, look at how explosive it could become; competing products lead to better products for the customer.

 

[Henry]

Big question: Is there any release date set yet for RPGTools? I'm not looking for a month or even a quarter, I'm just looking for a YEAR. I've been hearing about it for almost a year now, with no prospective release date.

 

[Vascant]

Big question: Is there any release date set yet for RPGTools? I'm not looking for a month or even a quarter, I'm just looking for a YEAR. I've been hearing about it for almost a year now, with no prospective release date.

If I read one of the last updates correctly, I think in the next few weeks (3-4) they will be providing more information concerning dates and such.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

What version of eTools are you on? The latest is 1.5.666. The patch for the program and the 3.0 core rules are both free and available on CMP's website. CMP also has for sale all the 3.0 WotC books, all the 3.0 WotC books converted to 3.5, many of the 3.5 and d20 Modern WotC books for sale as datasets.

It's the buggy first version BEFORE Code Monkey took over. Haven't really had the cash to get their copy.

 

[kingpaul]

It's the buggy first version BEFORE Code Monkey took over. Haven't really had the cash to get their copy.

You don't need to buy it again. The 1.5.666 code patch and the 3.0 core data patch are free. You can find both here.