Non Hero Designer software?

[Viperion]

Folks,

Are there any share/free ware software packages out there for making 5ER characters? I have downloaded and tried the Hero Designer program and it seems very good, but like every other piece of crippleware I don't and can't know exactly how good it is . Sure, I can make a whole character up, but then what? I can't print it - so I can't take it to a roleplaying session, nor can I even preview the character to see what it would look like if only I could print it out. I can't save the character, thus letting me start designing a character, go and look up a book, muck about for a bit, and come back to it. I'm sure it works very well as a point-checker, but as a character generator, it's demo version is unusable.

[/end rant. Ahem]

So anyway, are there any programs out there that will allow me to use the program properly? I don't care if it's time-limited, I don't care if it costs $50. I just want a program that works.

Thanks,
Viperion

[Starwolf]

Viperion... to print or view a character layout in HD you create the character, then go to file\set export template and select a template to use for viewing/printing, then you go to file\preview character to view or print the character. There are close to 150 different views and or custom character sheets to use for characters, vehicles, etc. This process is listed VERY clearly in the programs documentation which is included as a PDF in the install and is also available in the free stuff section of this website along with the afore mentioned export templates.

Before you deride a program as crippleware or not working, you should at the very least read the documentation or learn how the software functions. The only feature disabled in the demo is the ability to save your work... to encourage you to buy it. IMHO not a bad thing. You can even apply the software updates to the Demo version.

[/end rant rebuttal. Ahem]

I hope this helps

[Simon]

Heh...it sounds like he's using the free demo version of HD -- which is "crippled" (intentionally). It's intended as a demo (not suprisingly), so it allows you to create characters, but not save, load, or export them (it gives you a little statement for each of these functions stating that this is a demo version of the software and that this functionality is only available in the full version, yadda-yadda).

In a couple of weeks, you'll be able to spend between $25 and $30 (price has yet to be nailed down) and get the full version of HDv3. Which, I can say with some amount of certainty, is not crippled

[ghost-angel]

You know.. I just had an idea - have no idea how feasible it is really, or even worth entertaining... but when HDv3 comes out would it be worth it to sell V2 at a very discounted rate in the final state (no new features, no support) so ppl get an idea what HD is fully capable of?

[Simon]

I believe that would cause FAR more harm than good.

HDv3 is already going to be available for a much-reduced price (compared to the full version of v2). That should be good enough.

[ghost-angel]

Probably... It didn't sound like the greatest of ideas as I typed it. not all of my ideas should be vocalized..

[Viperion]

Heh...it sounds like he's using the free demo version of HD -- which is "crippled" (intentionally).

Yep that's the version I'm using. Except I'm not using it because I have no idea how good a character sheet it can export/print out.

In a couple of weeks, you'll be able to spend between $25 and $30 (price has yet to be nailed down) and get the full version of HDv3. Which, I can say with some amount of certainty, is not crippled

I'm sure. The version of HD2 you can buy isn't crippled either, but I'm not going to buy it in the hope that it prints out a character sheet I can use.

This is a pet peeve of mine; I find it far more useful to have a fully working program that only works 30 times, or for 30 days, than one where features are intentionally turned off, meaning I can't tell how well/nicely those features work.

Does anyone know of an alternative program? (Which is, of course the point of the thread - the rant is supposed to be an aside )

Viperion

[Simon]

It can be a pet peeve all you want -- doesn't change the fact that having _any_ free demo version is simply a courtesy to potential buyers of the app. If you don't find it useful -- GOOD. It shouldn't be. It is meant solely to give you an idea of how the app functions and the interface it provides for creating characters.

As for other programs, there aren't any out there that follow the rules of the Hero System anywhere close to the extent that HD does. The only ones out there that I'm aware of don't provide any form of demo version, so you're pretty much SOL on freebies.

[ghost-angel]

Yep that's the version I'm using. Except I'm not using it because I have no idea how good a character sheet it can export/print out.

How good do you want it to be?

What do you want it to look like?

If you want some export examples give me a format you want them in: RTF, HTML, Text and I'll provide some for you.

The export template is completely customizeable so basing the pruchase off of that is like buying a car based on the paint color - it's changeable to fit your needs so is really a moot point for what the software is intended to do: accurately build a Hero Character using the Hero Rules.

[bblackmoor]

The version of HD2 you can buy isn't crippled either, but I'm not going to buy it in the hope that it prints out a character sheet I can use.

On the one hand, I completely agree with the gist of your rant. I am slowly but steadily eliminating all commercial software from my machines because it's a persistent and continuous annoyance to use them. The quixotic licensing that a user has to deal with when making maps with ProFantasy's Campaign Cartographer, for example, is a ridiculous nuisance. This is entirely aside from the issue of the price of commercial software, which is often absurdly out of proportion with its value.

On the other hand, there are some specific applications for which no acceptable open source or freeware alternative exists. Hero Designer is one such appllication. I have used literally every possible available method of creating Champions characters in the last 20 years, including all of the various applications Hero Games has recommended or resold over the years. None are as useful or as usable as Hero Designer 2.

It has problems. There are certain situations when the application does not adhere to the rules of the game, and it has a few bugs. And generally speaking, if I report an issue or bug, the developer refuses to correct it (which is why I let other people report them). Despite this, it is the best Hero System character creator available, and there really isn't a close second. It's updated on a regular basis, and there are a number of customized templates that other users have made available.

I suggest you buy a copy on eBay. You can get it for around $30-$35 shipped, which is a fair price. Or you can wait until version 3 comes out, which sounds like it will also be fairly priced.

[ChaosDrgn]

One up now for $32.99

[incrdbil]

To be short, nothing else is even remotely close to being useful as Hero Designer is. In fact, there's nothing out there which is of any use in producing a 5th ediiton Hero system character that I've even heard of.

To reassure you, the full version of Hero Designer can produce many different types of character sheets, combat records, in an assortment of styles and formats that are very useful at the table. From very sparse "Just the stats" to sheets that include a place for you to assign an imgae, combat charts, etc. There are several people whose posted HTML versions of characters were made using Hero designer out there I'm sure. But I can reassure you that if you are happy with the program as a character builder, you'll be satisfied with output formats.

[Curufea]

The other nice feature of HD is that the output templates are in XML format and can be customised.
Big plus.

[Thag13]

I use HD2 and am quite happy with the out put and everything.

Like anyother program, print options need to be adjusted and such, but no worse than any other program I have used.

I suggest buying directly from Hero games and get the program. Its worth every cent.

[Viperion]

Thanks all for the replies. I think I'll wait until v3 comes out and then grab that.

Cheers,
Viperion