Import Character Builder files
Submitted by onotadaki on Wed, 2009-09-02 04:08.
| Project: | Virtual Combat Cards Project |
| Version: | 1.2.0 |
| Component: | Code |
| Category: | feature request |
| Priority: | normal |
| Assigned: | Nebulorum |
| Status: | closed |
Description
I would like to see the ability to import PCs from the character builder save files if possible. This would greatly improve the ease and speed of party importation and cut down on hassle during level ups. Importing directly from the character builder save files would also have a second benefit of allowing VCC to display data that would otherwise be time-prohibitive to enter manually such as skill levels, abilities, etc... These could all be sorted and displayed to the right similarly to the demo picture for VCC 1.0 D&DI monster importation. As an extension to this idea, it would be wonderful if the importation had an option to 'import party', which allowed you to choose a folder that contained multiple character sheets and auto-import all of the sheets there-in.
Once this function has been implemented, it could be doubly extended to cover saved monsters from the monster builder. While being a bit of a stretch from the initial feature request, an interesting destination for future builds in this vein could include allowing the user to make a folder hierarchy such as:
Encounter\Room 1
Encounter\Room 2
Encounter\Room ...
Placing saved and exported monsters in each room folder and possibly editing an xml/text file in each to modify numbers of each monster, the user could then 'import encounter' and select the parent folder, automatically importing the entire encounter into VCC. A simple 'Encounter selection tool' could then select and load the monsters for every encounter the PCs will be running into seamlessly.
Thank you in advance for reading my request. VCC is a wonderful piece of software, thank you.
#1
The ideas are nice. Part of these features will be available in version 1.0, however in a slightly different way. Monsters will be imported to a Compendium in VCC and you can add them to parties (no need to manipulate files). You can save the party files in directories if you wish (already on the current version).
Importing Character Builder files will not be available for version 1.0. Current plan is to have HP, defenses and perception and insight scores. Powers and other thing will come in the future. I like the idea of importing all character files in a folder. Same thing for monster builder.
I would request you wait on version 1.0 and then we discuss what improvements can be made. One thing that would be great is for some one to take a look at the files and figure out what has to be imported and what formatting is needed.
#2
I started a forum topic about this that I thought I'd continue here.
I've attached an XML file of the Kobold Dragonshield (zipped so it would attach).
The Monster Builder doesn't let you export the creatures that are created by WOTC but you can create a copy and immediately export that.
Hopefully the XML schema here will give you some insight as to how complex it would be.
Nokura
#3
You will not have to save copies, since we can use the plugin to load VCC with D&D Insider official monster.
I took a quick looks and it's a fairly simple XML file. Still would like some one else to give a help by getting some really complex monsters (beholder for example) and figuring out what parts of the file have to be read. Help with this mapping work means I just have to code it...
#4
Let me know what you need done and I will be glad to do it.
#5
I'm moving the monster parte to issue #123: Import creatures from D&DI Adventure Tools. Lets focus this issue on the Character information.
We currently need to collect the following information from the
dnd4efile (which is a XML file):If you can figure out what parts of the file hold this information, I can focus on the reading logic.
#6
Hello,
A while ago i did this: http://github.com/bjartek/outsidertools
Take a look at the .scala files here http://github.com/bjartek/outsidertools/tree/master/src/main/scala/org/b...
They parse the dnd4e xml file and create some other representation of it.
Warning: The scala code is not that nice since this was something I did to learn myself scala :)
#7
I assume you refer to the
importer.scala. It's interesting, and if it collects all the right data I would love to use it or parts of it in VCC. I actually liked the code.#8
Yes importer.scala and you probably need domain.scala to get the classes to store the data in. Or atleast some of them.
They work for me when creating rpol textual charactersheets from dnd4e files. So they should be up to date. If they are not let me know and I can fix them.
Feel free to use and copy as you see fit.
#9
Started implementation of feature. Moved target to next release.
#10
This feature has been implemented. I works will with the latest versions of the DND4E files. More tested needed to make sure it works ok.
#11
Fixed on version 1.2.0.
#12
Automatically closed -- issue fixed for two weeks with no activity.