Ladies and Gents,
I would like to give you all an update on Character Tool 3, the next major release of the Character Generator which supports Harnmaster 3rd edition. It is, compared to Character Tool 3, much more configurable and sports a faster and more smooth user interface.

New functions include "Groups", which is a way to collect characters in static and dynamic listings, a section for minor characters with much less detail, a combat overview with characters listed in combat order and with combat data. Characters may be exported and imported between applications. Also, quests, followups and GM notes are new to CT3.

A simplified Player Character Tool will be available, which is aimed at players to allow them to store, maintain and share their characters with the GM. Also, a very long list of bug fixes.

Within a week I expect the Character Tool 3 pages on http://www.ivinia.se to be fully updated.

I expect the final release version will be available within two weeks - it is now being scrutinized by a couple of brave testers who surely will find minor issues which myself and all the beta testers have missed (by the way, thanks for all the help of the betatesters, especially Andy!).

Character Tool 3 will be not be a free upgrade, but owners of Character Tool 2 will receive a discount. Bundle versions containing one GM character tool and five Player character tools will be available.

If nothing unexpected happens, I hope all will be revealed within two weeks...

Best regards /Mikael

I'm really interested.

Is the software more fast?

_________________
Si vis pacem, para bellum
I Signori della Guerra: http://www.isignoridellaguerra.com

Yes it is, although that doesn't say that much since CT2 was quite sluggish in some of the parts. Lightning fast it is not, but fast enough (sorry for the politician like answer)...

/MH

I'm an old time (and old skool) RPG-er, but a newbie with HarnMaster. I just bought Columbia's HarnMaster 3 last week and am really excited about diving in.

I'm anxious to purchase the new version of the Character Tool (lucky I saw this post as I was about to purchase version 2). I've played with the 2nd version in the trial mode and am really impressed. Any idea when the new version will be up and ready for purchase?

Thanks!

_________________
Wóþbora
~ Ne mæg mīn līchama wiþ dēaþ gedǣlan ~
my body cannot separate itself (avoid) death

Well... the first release candidate is under test and Columbia Games has been provided with a test version also... It all depends on how much time Columbia Games can spare, and on that I don't have a good answer. If you're not in a hurry, I recommend that you wait this out before deciding.

If you think CT2 is good, then I think you will be pleasantly surprised by CT3. I will start working on the online manual on www.ivinia.se during this week, so for those of you interested in learning some more check it out in the end of the week…

/Mikael

Thanks.

I've tried the demo, and it's a very interesting software.

I don't mind a lighting fast software (it's not an FPS), just "average"

Any new on the campaign manager?

_________________
Si vis pacem, para bellum
I Signori della Guerra: http://www.isignoridellaguerra.com

Re the Campaign Manager, I've done some initial work on it - it will take a few months or even more before it is ready though. I'll try to keep people posted on the progress.

/Mikael

I own CT2 and look forward to upgrading to CT3. The screenshot looks very good. Quick question regarding CT3's Features listed on the website: what does "Highly configurable" refer to precisely? Will it allow, for example, one to toggle HM3 optional rules on and off? Or perhaps roll random characters with 4d6, drop lowest? Or does "configurable" refer more to (merely) CT3's interface?

Thanks and good luck,
McBard

Yes, it could be interesting if "optionl" rules could be also implemented in the tool by the user (with some scripting).

EDIT: I was re-reading the first post. It seems to me that there are different softwares, GM, Character generators, and others.

Could you explain in more detail please?
Since I'm interested I'd like to have clear what are the options.

_________________
Si vis pacem, para bellum
I Signori della Guerra: http://www.isignoridellaguerra.com

Some questions that come to mind:

Is the HM3 Character Design system (using CPs) built into this software?

Is it possible to just plug in the numbers from already generated characters so that they can be stored electronically?

Can I press a button and generate a completely random NPC?

Can I print out a character record that matches the printed sheets available from CGI?

Thanks,
Brian

_________________
Brian McNeilly
Burnaby BC Canada
bmcneilly@shaw.ca
http://members.shaw.ca/harngm/

See you at HârnCon 10th Anniversary, Vancouver, July 5-7, 2013

HI,
first - highly configurable is of course a relative thing, but by that I mean that the user can modify skills, occupations, weapons, armour, steeds, spells, rituals, armour values, equipment, armour sets, names, guilds and guild information.

HM3 optional rules are not used, rather it is the basic stuff I've used. When rolling random characters, you can select "Better attributes", which does precisely what you describe.

Hope this helps - a demo version will be available within a few weeks where you can take it for a spin.

/Mikael

Regarding scripting, that's not possible with the development environment I use (Filemaker). Or maybe I should say that it could be possible, but requires more time and knowledge than I have available

I think it's more reasonable that when CT3 is stable, I'll start looking at adding optional rules etc. as requests for them pop up, and release upgrades of CT3.

Regarding the different versions, there are two: Gamemaster Character Tool (GMCT) and Player Character Tool (PLCT).

GMCT is intended for the GM and has all the bells and whistles - pretty much similar to CT2, which also is aimed at the GM.
PLCT is a "light" version which is GMCT but without random generation, the groups feature and the Minor NPC's feature, as well some other stuff.

It is a test actually; my idea is to provide an application for the players in a RPG group, who can store their characters electronically and send the latest version to the GM. It will of course cost less than the GMCT. Test versions will be available.

Hope this clears things up?

/Mikael

Yes, it's now clear.

Thanks!

_________________
Si vis pacem, para bellum
I Signori della Guerra: http://www.isignoridellaguerra.com

Hi Brian,
answers to your question:
1. The use if CP's are built into the application.
2. Yes, you can manually enter a character by starting with an empty character.
3. Yes, you can press a button and generate a complete random PC/NPC. See screenshot for a view the configurability available.
4. Yes, you can print out a CGI sheet but you may consider my sheet instead since it makes room for all the information available in CT. I've included a pdf of the sheet as reference - you be the judge if this is usable or not .

Best regards /Mikael

Thanks, but the file is password protected. I couldn't get it open. Or is this one of those brain training games?

_________________
~Laudant illa, sed ista legunt~
~You may leave Hârn, but Hârn never leaves you!~

Thats the new thing, if you buy it now unseen, you will get a password so you can see a preview of what you have bought

_________________
"Corpora lente augescent cito extinguuntur" - Tacitus
Fenhorn's Hârnpage

Damn. Nothing new here, just me making a Critical Failure . I've uploaded a non-protected file.

/Mikael

Thanks for the replies, Mikael. I look forward to the demo!

Your character sheet is very attractive, and I very much like the Load Set options--great idea.

I do have one small question regarding the layout of the Attributes on the first page. Is there a chance to place EYE at the top of the second column, followed by HRG and then SML below it? (The way the attributes appear in HM3). Frankly, I'd prefer VOI then to be at the bottom of the second column underneath the three perception attributes—again to follow HM3's ordering—but understand why you've placed it in the third column (so that its Voice Quality box lines up with INT's and MOR's descriptive boxes, I assume).

In any event, very nice work.

Sorry. Writed only nonsense.

_________________
Si vis pacem, para bellum
I Signori della Guerra: http://www.isignoridellaguerra.com