DFRPG Character Creator/Manager

[yakoaohw]

Greetings to all you Dresdenites... Dresdeners... Dresdenees?

Since the Dresden Files RPG came out I've wanted a way to track my character sheet without erasing and scratching out. I tried the PDF versions of the character sheet but they really didn't do all I needed them to do. So I wrote a program that would track all the things I needed, check that the character was valid and print out in a useful format. That done, I let my RPG group give it a try and then, not wanting to get sued, I e-mailed the guys at Evil Hat and asked if I could distribute the program.

And they said "yes."

So, here it is. I hope its useful. You can find the program here http://www.mediafire.com/?bd41089exy34w19. There is no install file, but you will need the latest version of Microsoft.NET. Just unzip the files anywhere you want to run them from and make sure they stay together.

If you run into bugs, let me know and I will do my best to fix them.

If you want some feature or another and I think its a good idea, I'll try and put it in.

If you think my program sucks and feel the need to bash it with abusive comments... go make your own program.

I made a blog to track changes to the program at http://dfrpgtools.blogspot.com/ (I know it looks cheesy. I'll get to improving that eventually.) I'll try and check both there and here for feedback and I'll keep the links up to date as best I can.

Enjoy.


EDIT 11/7/2010: Updated link to version 1.1.0.0

[Sanctaphrax]

Well, I just downloaded this and I have to say it looks awesome. I've been looking for something like this.

That's not to say it's perfect, though. Here are a few things that could be improved:

• Superb and higher skills should grant additional mild consequences.
• You should be able to take certain powers, like refinement and lawbreaker, multiple times.
• It would be nice to be able to input custom powers, elements, thaumaturgical fields, and templates.
• Crafting specializations should be devided into power and frequency.
• It would be nice to be able to select power levels other than the ones suggested in the core book, especially when making NPCs.
• Major milestones should increase your base refresh total.

There are also a number of things which I was unable to do, possibly due to my inexperience with the program. Here's the list:

• Input descriptions of custom stunts.
• Link custom stunts to skills.
• Select specializations for evocation or for thaumaturgy beyond +1.
• Select foci.

[Logan01X]

Nice first run, i just built my character on it to give your program a test drive. it works great
i did notice one thing, under the mortal stunts, the description of the Investigation stunt "Pin the Tail" is the same as "Listen"

[wolfiejinn]

Don't know.  Keep getting this message when I go to reopen the character I was working on.  Got similar message when I tried to view it as well when i first made it.

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.Xml.XmlException: 's' is an unexpected token. Expecting white space. Line 17, position 52.
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(String res, String arg)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ThrowExpectingWhitespace(Int32 pos)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseAttributes()
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseElement()
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseElementContent()
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Read()
   at System.Xml.XmlLoader.LoadNode(Boolean skipOverWhitespace)
   at System.Xml.XmlLoader.LoadDocSequence(XmlDocument parentDoc)
   at System.Xml.XmlLoader.Load(XmlDocument doc, XmlReader reader, Boolean preserveWhitespace)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(XmlReader reader)
   at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(String filename)
   at Dresden_Files_Character_Manager.Form2.OpenToolStripMenuItem _Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.RaiseEvent(Object key, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem.OnClick(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.HandleClick(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.HandleMouseUp(MouseEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.FireEventInteractive(EventArgs e, ToolStripItemEventType met)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem.FireEvent(EventArgs e, ToolStripItemEventType met)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mea)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDown.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mea)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripDropDown.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 (RTMRel.030319-0100)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
Dresden Files Character Manager
    Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Val/My%20Documents/Downloads/CharacterManager1.0.0.0/Dresden%20Files%20Character%20Manager.exe
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
    Assembly Version: 10.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 10.0.30319.1 built by: RTMRel
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/v4.0_10.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 built by: RTMRel
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Core
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 built by: RTMRel
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 built by: RTMRel
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 built by: RTMRel
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Runtime.Remoting
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 (RTMRel.030319-0100)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Runtime.Remoting/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Runtime.Remoting.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
    Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 4.0.30319.1 built by: RTMRel
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
    <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

[yakoaohw]

Wolfiejinn,

that particular error comes from an xml formatting issue I think. I'd have to see the character file to be sure.

The issue exists because there is an apostrophe or quotation mark in one of the text blocks that did not convert properly. I will correct that for the next update. In the meantime, I'd avoid those characters.

To correct the issue, if you know anything about XML you can open the file in notepad and correct the issue, recreate the character, or send the file to me and I'll try and repair it.

Everybody else,

thanks for the input. My "to do" list just got a lot longer.

[Craftzero]

Will I be avoiding work to check out this hopefully awesome character manager?

I think the answer is yes.

[Haru]

Really great work, I have been waiting for something like this from the moment I made my first character. Thank you very much.

But:
The "Car Mechanic" stunt has the wrong description.

A little bit more flexibility when it comes to customised stunts/powers. If it is possible, you could create an interface, where you can input your own stunts/powers and they are saved and displayed with the other stunts/powers in the usual frame. That way you could even import/export those stunts/powers and share them.

Same goes for evocation/thaumaturgy specialisation, it would be great if you would add the option to put in a customised specialisation.

In the rote spells, there should be an option for [none] in the focus section, so you can unselect a focus from a rote.


Other than that, it is really well done, and those are minor things.

Thanks again

[Mattastic]

Got a Mac version? 

[HumAnnoyd]

A few bugs which are above but over all most awesome indeed. THanks.

[yakoaohw]

Okay, version 1.0.0.1 is online and fixes some things. Most notably incorrect text and a problem with special characters causing files to be invalid.

If your character was saved and won't open due to the error listed above, it still won't open, but no new files should be written incorrectly. If you want to fix your file so it will work, you need to open it in notepad and make sure the XML file is well-formed, that should solve the issue.

Thanks for the input so far, I'll keep fixing/adding things. Release notes can be found on the blog link at the top. (Please forgive its lameness.)

1.0.0.1 can be found here: http://www.mediafire.com/?0i2vdizxa5fb2lk. Just overwrite the old files and you should be good to go.

[fabulator]

is there a mac version in the works?

[Logan01X]

just downloaded version 1.0.0.1 and built my character with it, This is a great program by the way and thanks for all the work your putting into it. i did find a couple of things

In version 1.0.0.0, when you viewed the character sheet it gave the description of your supernatural powers and stunts, in version 1.0.0.1 it does not. I dont know if its supposed to be like that or if something just got mixed up in when you were going through the coding or something

Human Form didnt automaticaly add a point of refresh back, if you put -1 in the box next to it, it balances out. but when i saved and then opened up the character again, i had 1 to many points of refresh. I changed the -1 in the side box for human form to a 0 and it was off again, but when saved it was at the correct refresh, so all and all it works out.

thanks again for all the work your pointing into this program, its fantastic

[akarmicanomaly]

This is an awesomely useful program and many thanks for creating it.

Not sure if it's a bug or I might be working from an old PDF but I do believe the Program isn't working the Physical Stress Tracks out correctly. At Endurance of Good (+3) it still lists a Track of 3 and not 4, while Conviction and Presence of Good (+3) both work out at a Mental and Social Stress Track of 4

[dbrowne1974]

Yes this program is great, but I'm having a few issues as well.  Not sure if this has anything to do with me or if it a bug.  When I go to validated it says I haven't chosen either Soulgaze or Wizards Constitution.  Also to won't let me choose a specialization for Evocation Or Thaumaturgy.  For Thaumaturgy i let pull it dowm in the drop down menu but doesn't choose it.  Beside that it works great, I love this program.

[yakoaohw]

fabulator: no Mac version in the works right now. I'm not opposed to it, I just have no clue on how to write for Mac and won't be able to teach myself till the PC bugs are gone. If you know of the best way to write simple form programs on Mac, please point me in that direction.

Logan01X: Bah, stupid law of unintended consequences. When i corrected how files were written I just fixed one way and copied it so I forgot to add stunt/power text to the character sheet output. I'll add it back in in the next bug fix. human form I'll need to look into.

Everybody else: I'll take a look at those. I can't recall how those functions work without looking at them.

Thanks for the info.