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Systems & Settings => Rolemaster => RMC/RM2 => Topic started by: allenrmaher on December 02, 2006, 02:05:44 AM

Title: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: allenrmaher on December 02, 2006, 02:05:44 AM
(http://www.ironcrown.com/images/cover_images/100wX134h/6501_CharLawClassic-sm.jpg)A New Rolemaster Gets a new Character Generator
With the new version of Rolemaster Classic, comes a character generator spreadsheet.
It supports most but not all options at this point.  More information on customizing the sheet is available in the documentation

System Requirements:

(http://marketing.openoffice.org/art/galleries/marketing/web_buttons/nicu/110x32_3_get.png) (http://www.openoffice.org)

Question: Why not do this in MS Excel
Answer:   Because OpenOffice.org is free and available to most everyone with a computer, MS Excel would only be available to some of the RMC fan base and would exclude others.


How do I get it?
The spread sheet is attached to this post and periodically it will be updated.  Download the zip file and extract it.
What does it do?
The spreadsheet walks you through the character creation process from RMC and helps you quickly generate stats, buy skills, and equipment.  It has many controls for  the options presented in RM.  It also has many of the races from the upcoming Creatures and Treasures. Some of the other features at a glance:


What does it look like
Output
(http://24.72.114.123/RMC/pg1_s.png)
Page one (http://24.72.114.123/RMC/pg1.png)
(http://24.72.114.123/RMC/pg2_s.png)
Skills pages (http://24.72.114.123/RMC/pg2.png)
(http://24.72.114.123/RMC/pg3_s.png)
Last page (http://24.72.114.123/RMC/pg3.png)
Screenshots
(http://24.72.114.123/RMC/firstscreen_s.png)
First Screen (http://24.72.114.123/RMC/firstscreen.png)
(http://24.72.114.123/RMC/charcreate_s.png)
Character Creation
Race / Proffesion/ Realm (http://24.72.114.123/RMC/charcreate.png)
(http://24.72.114.123/RMC/buyskills_s.png)
Purchasing Skills (http://24.72.114.123/RMC/buyskills.png)
(http://24.72.114.123/RMC/buyequipment_s.png)
Purchasing Equipment (http://24.72.114.123/RMC/buyequipment.png)

Moved the Sheet to the Downloads area: (Click Here) (http://www.ironcrown.com/ICEforums/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item558)

Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.15 Beta
Post by: allenrmaher on December 02, 2006, 05:43:12 PM
...Moved to included documentation...
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.15 Beta
Post by: allenrmaher on December 02, 2006, 06:19:07 PM
... moved to included documentation ...
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: Grafton on December 03, 2006, 01:18:08 PM
I am happy to see another attempt at RM2 software. Will this be an offical ICE product? Do you know what the cost will be?

I wish you good luck in this endevor.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: Marc R on December 03, 2006, 01:26:47 PM
Insofar as I am aware, the answers to your questions are:

ICE supported the creation of this sheet, adding Allen to the RMC team to do it. So it's official in that sense.

It's free, will be free, and depends on the support of fans for bug hunting and improvement.

Last, it's free for one reason, Allen is doing it for free. So, thanks directed towards Allen would be most cool.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: Grafton on December 03, 2006, 01:34:41 PM
Thank you LM, that is good news! Since I just started a character for a RM2 game at rpgrm.com I'll download the program and give it a try.

Hhmm, could have difficulties with RoCo1 smoothed stat and background options though :(
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: Marc R on December 03, 2006, 01:47:39 PM
Feel free to offer up suggestions of improvements. As it's semi official, I'm not sure if allen will be adding options not in currently published books (He's got a LOT on his plate incorporating the options from the RMC books as they get completed and released.) then again, Allen can do exactly as much work on this as he chooses to, you can try and talk him into putting such rules into the sheet. (Or try to convince ICE to add certain option choices or concepts into future books.)

Not offering any promises on either front, as neither is under my control.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: allenrmaher on December 03, 2006, 02:19:42 PM
I will probably not add anything non-canonical to the main sheet... (like the RoCo books)  I don't mind other versions that are customized to peoples uses floating around.  There are several options that may be added to the sheet from the core book that are not there now.

Flipping through a RoCo 1....  You need only change a few formulae to make smoothed stats work... and there is a hidden page called numbers I believe that has the current distributions, if you modify that in a custom sheet it should work fine but would not allow you to switch between, unless you made additional versions of the tables and put in options to switch between. As for background options, there is a page that is hidden with the current ones, if you insert the additional rows you can modify them, you can also create additional ones.  As well the Background options part of the sheet is hand editable so you  can just add them in as needed by hand.  Likewise the special bonus stat column for the additional stat bonuses is modifiable.

If the RoCo is republished for RMC these will be added.

Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: Grafton on December 03, 2006, 02:34:18 PM
Thanks allen, your work is appreciated. I take a look.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: smug on December 03, 2006, 05:05:18 PM
If I ever get around to the software I keep meaning to write* I'd like to have the XSD file for any RM xml format that is created, for compatibility.

So far, I haven't done much at all, just created the SQL DB. But I will do it one day, honest injun.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: Grafton on December 03, 2006, 05:35:08 PM
So far so good. I'm modifying for smoothed stat from RoCo1. I can manually add in stat bonuses from Skill at Arms/Magic and note them in the background section of the Create Page.

A few notes:

1. There is a shadow bold "S" that shows up occasionally in cell G155 on Create sheet. It went away when I manually saved the file. Related to autosave?

2. I manaually entered temp and potential stats in Section 2.4 and clicked Accept. It is updated correctly on the Character sheet but Section 2.6.2 stat gain table does not use the updated stat info. It is showing negative differences which gives some very interesting results. :)

3. Development Points show correctly on the Create sheet, but the decimals cause problems for the Character sheet. Could change the formula here to include the Round function to round off the sum. It would not hurt the basic program and would help if someone modifies the Numbers sheet with smoothed stat info. You could do the same with PP.

About it for now.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: allenrmaher on December 03, 2006, 05:45:46 PM
1. There is a shadow bold "S" that shows up occasionally in cell G155 on Create sheet. It went away when I manually saved the file. Related to autosave?

2. I manaually entered temp and potential stats in Section 2.4 and clicked Accept. It is updated correctly on the Character sheet but Section 2.6.2 stat gain table does not use the updated stat info. It is showing negative differences which gives some very interesting results. :)

Can you email me the sheet you did so I can see where it went wrong... allenmaher@accesscomm.ca

Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: Grafton on December 03, 2006, 06:18:14 PM
Its on its way. A few more notes.

Purchase Skills sheet

Cell F4 is cut off and doesn't show correctly.

I am assuming I can enter manually in the white spaces here. For example, I can remove the underline portion of weapon class and input say broadsword. This may not be intuitive for some users.

Not sure what I'm supposed to enter in the "Prim." field. Do I do "P" for primary and "S" for secondary? Ah, now I see. This is where I buy the skill ranks. This could use some written direction to make that clear.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: Grafton on December 03, 2006, 06:32:39 PM
Another one. The Purchase Skills sheet calculates spent DPs correctly, but I was at 0 and it displayed red -1. This was purchasing only primary skills.

Hhmm, now that I think about it this is also probably related to the decimals from the smoothed stat distribution.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.12 Beta
Post by: Grafton on December 03, 2006, 07:01:05 PM
When buying equipment, it would be nice to be able to put items in multiple places. For example, I might want to carry 1 oil flask and keep 2 in my backpack.

Overall very good start. I was a bit confused on what buttons to push to level the character and get the skills but eventually figured it out.

I should try another one (spell user) and not use the smooth stat distribution. I think this would help trouble shoot your program. I apologize for the confusion, but its how I would use it so...

Good Luck, Grafton
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.15 Beta
Post by: allenrmaher on January 03, 2007, 11:35:41 AM
There is an error in the 0.9.15 version that calculates DB with Qux2 rather than just Qu.  To fix this you need only:

- Unprotect the page
- Edit the cell to =Qu
- Reprotect the page

A version with that and a few other fixes is on the way shortly.

Edit... New version is now posted....
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.16 *Updated*
Post by: Marc R on January 15, 2007, 08:46:35 PM
the corrected DB calculation is now in the sheet?
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.16 *Updated*
Post by: allenrmaher on January 15, 2007, 10:58:24 PM
Yes 0.9.16 has that correction.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.16 *Updated*
Post by: Marc R on February 23, 2007, 11:17:09 PM
Has the sheet been added to the Downloads section?
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.16 *Updated*
Post by: allenrmaher on February 23, 2007, 11:31:05 PM
In the play testing section, since I have not had many bug reports on it this version seems stable enough to put in the main repository.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.16 *Updated*
Post by: Rasyr-Mjolnir on February 24, 2007, 08:02:50 AM
In the play testing section, since I have not had many bug reports on it this version seems stable enough to put in the main repository.
Ok, I moved it over to the RMClassic Character sheets section for you.

http://www.ironcrown.com/ICEforums/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item69

Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.17 *Updated*
Post by: allenrmaher on March 28, 2007, 05:40:31 AM
An interim release... another one the probable Release Candidate to follow in about a week. 

http://24.72.114.123/dgt/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=15&Itemid=28
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.18 *Updated*
Post by: allenrmaher on April 02, 2007, 02:15:53 PM
    This release adds random height and weight as well as other improvements to the interface and SLA.

    Notable updates include Complete Spell List Availability, Stepped and Static level bonuses, base power points, spell mastery options and others.

     Only three more planned features to be implemented, kLoOge Werks Export, and the two Non Random Spell Acquisition options from Spell Law.

    Once those features are added a Release candidate will replace the beta series.  After a short while of bug testing, the 1.0 release will be made.

http://24.72.114.123/dgt/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=15&Itemid=28
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9.18 *Updated*
Post by: allenrmaher on April 16, 2007, 08:06:05 PM
Non Random is working.... and I am on my last feature before the Release Candidate.

I am just punching out the last of the code in the kLoOge Werks export...  I built a much improved kLoOge Werks definition that will be released at the same time.  It even has a maintenance script that lets automatically updates the bleeding, penalties and stun rounds for players.

I should have something for both ready for posting in the next day or so.  This will give much of the same functionality of the HARP definition and char gen.  It does not have the apply critical function... since there are no RMC criticals with ML like text formatting it may not be of much use... but the HARP apply critical function does work with it...



Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9999RC **UPDATE**
Post by: allenrmaher on April 17, 2007, 06:38:23 PM
The release candidate is ready... I have uploaded it to downloads and it is pending approval.  On the first post in this thread I gave a link to an alternate location.

I'll be uploading an updated kLoOge Werks Definition either tonight or tomorrow.  For those who like on-line role playing, this is becoming very functional.  I will update some macros before posting the latest definition, so I have to switch to java mindset.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9999RC **UPDATE**
Post by: Rasyr-Mjolnir on April 18, 2007, 12:27:39 PM
Approved...
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9999RC **UPDATE**
Post by: allenrmaher on April 24, 2007, 01:45:14 PM
I found a bug that was preventing proper implementation of the random height/weight.  I have tested a good number of the options in char gen, but if anyone else has the time to give the RC a try, I would appreciate the feedback.

Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9999RC **UPDATE**
Post by: allenrmaher on June 01, 2007, 06:27:09 PM
I am integrating  a few of the C&T options into the sheet for the 1.0 release so it will be a short while yet.
Title: RMC Character Creation Software
Post by: dutch206 on June 15, 2007, 10:00:17 AM
OK, I downloaded Open Office and the RMC Character sheet by allenrmaher version 0.99999.  The directions are written by someone who is way too familiar with spreadsheets, because he is talking in shorthand.

Is there anyone who can explain how to turn the rules options on without asking me to get an advanced engineering degree?

reference:

http://www.ironcrown.com/ICEforums/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item481
Title: Re: RMC Character Creation Software
Post by: gonther on June 15, 2007, 11:21:19 AM
I think there are no buttons to turn options on or off. Rather, rules options are turned on by filling in the respective fields.

For example, if you enter a value in field G 139 on the "Create" sheet (with the heading "Fixed DP option"), then the entered value will be your DPs. Otherwise, the calculated value to the left of this field is used.

At least, that's all I figured out...
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9999RC **UPDATE**
Post by: Marc R on June 15, 2007, 11:32:01 AM
merged you up here, more likely allen will see you on this thread and reply, and other people with similar questions are more likely to see the Q&A.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9999RC **UPDATE**
Post by: allenrmaher on June 15, 2007, 11:49:41 AM
Many options have toggles in the option portion of the creation sheet (Create page rows 186-199).
, others as the previous poster said are fill in the  blanks.
The complicated stuff (GM customization) in the instructions is for creating customized version of the spreadsheet, not ordinary users.

If you have a specific question about a specific option?

It is a spreadsheet that supports dozens of  system variations which amounts to hundreds of combinations... the complexity has been kept as minimal as possible.

PLEASE NOTE:

The spreadsheet is nearing completion... it does not automatically follow that the documentation will be in the same state of refinement.  Since this is principally a volunteer affair.

A degree in advanced engineering is not required, but civility and specificity in requesting help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9999RC **UPDATE**
Post by: dutch206 on June 15, 2007, 05:59:21 PM
Sorry, I didn't mean to flame you.  :'(

Ok....that's better.  Lines 186-199 turn on/off character options.  For thick-headed people (like me for instance  ;D), I would suggest putting that information into the next version of the instructions.

Now, for the fun stuff:  What exactly are "Custom Cultures 1-9" on the culture line of the character sheet?
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 0.9999RC **UPDATE**
Post by: allenrmaher on June 15, 2007, 09:24:06 PM
Custom cultures allow you to set up things like language choices and ranks.  Cultures can be different than race.  At one point RMFRP/HARP like cultures were considered for RMC ChL  I kept the option in for setting language customization for the GM.  Most people will ignore it or fill in the blank manually.

If you remember back to the ME*P days the various races/cultures in the book had language ranks assigned to them.  It allows an elf to grow up in a human culture or vice versa and have language choices to match where they came from.

The consolidated options panel only came about in the last version (options were added over time)  The docs are from an old 9.18 release I think.  I may move the options one more time... but I have not decided on the merits of that just yet... since it further abstracts them from their formulae upon which thousands of others depend and the macros... so there is the potential to break it by doing so.

Spreadsheets have some very real limitations... and RMC with all it's options really pushes those pretty hard.

Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: Bubba Ho-Tep on July 10, 2007, 09:20:11 AM
I really like the generator.  I am currently using it to generate the characters for my Gen Con Rolemaster game and am planning on giving out cards with the address to come here and get the generator.  I will post any suggestions or comments later after I have time to delve deeper in it.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: Marc R on July 10, 2007, 09:38:38 AM
completely random question. . .why is this the "Orc" version?
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: iAlchemie on July 16, 2007, 04:25:00 PM
Hi there,

I've been using your wonderful RM character generator since Rolemaster Classic started to be released (I used to play 1st Edition RM *cough* "some" time ago :) ). I've been having a lot of fun tinkering with the spreadsheet to customise races and cultures for my campaign.

However I have noticed some glitches in the latest build you've released.

1) The Weight "Wt:" entry (cell D:11 on the Character Sheet page) still does not display an actual value, just "###". I think this has been present for a while.

2) I get an error message after purchasing skills that seems to be linked to the Body Development calculation. I've only seen this in the latest build. I've downloaded the zip file twice to check it and had the same error occur.

This line in the basic code is highlighted:
CS1.getCellRangeByName("hit_roll_total").Value = Skills.getCellRangeByName("hit_roll_total").Value + Skills.getCellRangeByName("bd_roll1").Value + Skills.getCellRangeByName("bd_roll2").Value

3)  I have also noticed that Stat Gain and Potentials can get confused when manually updating Potential values (which you may want to do if you take the bonus stat background option). I think some-one else has already mentioned this.

Given the complexity of what you're trying to achieve with this generator (in a spreadsheet no less!) I think you've done an awesome job. I wish there had been something like it 20 years ago!
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: allenrmaher on July 16, 2007, 06:37:51 PM
Thanks for the feedback.  I'll address some of these issues as we go.

1) the number calculates correctly, but on some systems under some font configurations (not even OS specific) the text will greek out and be unreadable.... adjusting the font of the cell to something that displays on your computer will help.  Try the PDF export and then have a look at that... if you have the fonts the sheet was made with (I used the MS TT Core fonts  to provide broad compatability... but since spreadsheets don't embed fonts this can vary)

2) Checking into this tonight... I did not catch this in testing.  What options did you have enabled? (I have some RME fixes to incorporate into the main project)

3) Stat and potential entries are dice roll entries. You can enter the actual number manually (on the character sheet) and ignore the table lookup that is done on the create sheet.  When you do this you circumvent the create sheet mechanics which do not look at the character sheet when updating... since they assume a newly rolled character.

Can you give me a little more info on how, step by step this happens?
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: iAlchemie on July 16, 2007, 08:20:08 PM
Thanks for the prompt reply.

1) You're correct. I adjusted the font size in my template and this works fine now.

2) No alternate Body Dev options enabled, just default RMC mechanics.

3) I think I've figured out where the problem is now. It occurs if I accept the "rolled" stats from the Create tab and then try to modify the stat on the Character Sheet tab.
A good example would be a Temp 89/ Pot 89 (where the potential is generated from a low roll obviously). I accept the rolls then proceed to spend background options. I pick a Stat Bonus increase (and here's where I'm probably making the mistake), and change the Temp to 90 on the Character Sheet tab. Because I accepted the "rolls" on the Create tab the Pot field on the Character Sheet is protected and cannot be modified (the Pot's appear to remain editable until you hit the Accept button). This leads to a Temp being higher than it's Pot which causes the Stat Gain on Level Up to misbehave. In the example I cited, a negative difference (-1) actually increased my Temp stat to 91 after a Stat Gain roll, so it's now 2 above the Pot!
Maybe you could suggest a correct method to do the above that works within the spreadsheet mechanics. ideally I'd like to be able to use the internal look-up tables for generating Pots and then have the option of safely over-riding them to manually enter changes (Background options for instance).

I hope that made sense!
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: allenrmaher on July 16, 2007, 11:43:49 PM
2) I think I have found it... I should have another version out on the weekend with some other corrections as well. It is a mistake introduced by the RME body development... well a change that impacted the core body development as far as the macro goes.

3) I see why this is happening. I can change the sheet so that it no longer protects the pot scores, thus freeing them up for editing.  It  allows players to manually/accidentally edit pot scores... but most of them are trustworthy. (and with revision tracking you can see if they have done it).

I'll include this change with the next release.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: iAlchemie on July 17, 2007, 03:31:01 PM
Great news! I look forward to the next build.
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: northrundicandus on July 29, 2007, 04:40:01 PM
This is a very cool piece of freeware! Thanks so much for your hard work Allen!

I've been working on customizing a template for my new campaign, and I've come across a small head-scratcher. In the Data tab, in the Cultures section, whatever is entered into the Language 1 and Language 2 columns shows up as a properly named field in both the Purchase Skills tab and the CS2 tab; i.e., if I replace "Racial" with "Dwarvish" then the rest of the sheet is properly updated. But this same behavior doesn't happen with the Language 3 and 4 columns on the data sheet. No matter what I place here, I'm stuck with a Language:________ (W) or (S) field, rather than what you get with Language columns 1 or 2. Am I missing something on how this is supposed to work? Ordinarily I wouldn't sweat it but I currently have 8 of 13 cultures that start with 3 initial languages, and 1 that starts with 4, so having this data carry over like the first two language columns handle this would be sweet.

Just to rule out anything goofy in my own new Template, I selected Sample Culture 3 from the default Version 1.0 RC2 template, which has the Language 3 and 4 columns populated, but whatever is there doesn't carry over to the Purchase Skills Tab or CS2 Tab.

Thanks again for your efforts with this.

Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: northrundicandus on July 29, 2007, 04:54:15 PM
Also in Version 1.0 RC2, one of the General Options controls has "proffesion" rather than "profession."
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: Allen on November 05, 2007, 01:00:35 PM
I got the last update and I have to say, I really like it a lot!
I'd like to be able to add some more skills to the list and professions, and being a goober I'm nore sure how to go about doing that myself. :)
I give it 2 thumbs up and have recomended it to my players. :)

~A
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: fiolnir on March 17, 2008, 11:36:36 AM
I was wondering how I can use this sheet as a "blank form" to enter in characters without using the "generator" part? For example, the "Character Sheet" tab at the bottom that lays out your your character sheet... how can this be used to just manualy fill in the blanks without getting messages or gibberish?
Title: Re: RMC Character Generator Spread Sheet Version 1.0RC2 **UPDATE**
Post by: linnorm on March 28, 2008, 11:30:18 AM
*BUG*

I'm using the 1.0RC2 version of the sheet and I'm getting an error when I purchase skills.  The problem appears to be in the hit point section of the purchase_skills() subroutine.  The variable receiving the hp total is CS1.getCellRangeByName("hit_roll_total").Value and should be Skills.getCellRangeByName("hit_roll_total").Value.  I've made this change to my copy and it works fine.  I've run into this with both OpenOffice 2.3 (I think that's the right version.) and StarOffice 7.