Battle Aide 0.2 is released. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Battle Aide 0.2 is released. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
stige
08-16-06, 09:30 PM Battle Aide 0.2.0 is out. I added few essential features requested by various people on various forums. So try it and notify me of your opinions suggestions and bugs.

Stige's Productions (http://www.stige.co.nr)

*Just saying because of few questions I got. I moved the site to another free host. (Cant afford a normal one for a freeware ;) ).www.stige.co.nr is the redirect link. And if I will ever change the address again the redirecting link will redirect to the right place.

For thoes who don't know the program:

General Info
" Battle Aide" is a specially made program for D20 gamers.Battle Aide will take your battling experince to the next level.No more pencils and papers battle maps, now you have a new board. Battle Aide will provide you a practical board with a 360 degree enviorment, and actions compatible with the D20 rules.

Overview
*Easy to use battle board
*360 degree enviorment (no grid)
*Map Designer
*based on the D20 rules.
*Windows 95 or newer versions required

more information is on site.
hard_shell_almond
08-17-06, 05:53 AM Very nice. Didn't have the time to completely check it out but it seems very good. :D
wrecan
08-17-06, 10:04 AM I really don't feel like joining your forums, so I'm putting my comments here.

1) The Help file doesn't open up. I'm uncertain what language it's written in, but it doesn't seem compatible with Microsoft Office.

2) Throughout the program "Okay" is spelled "Oaky"

3) It is very hard to place characters on the battle map before battle because there is no scale to judge how close they are. Eyeballing it is very clunky.

4) It would be nice if you could judge people's reach with perhaps a transparent line.

5) It could use a withdraw action as well as a 5' adjustment.

Otherwise, this is shaping up nicely. I'd still like to introduce obstacles, terrain modifiers, combatants who can be introduced in mid-battle (like summoned creatures or even late-arriving foes). There should also be a way for two or more entities to share initiative (such as a wizard and familiar or caster and summoned creature), as that is a common house rule.
Arganis
08-17-06, 10:12 AM Good to see you still working on this Stige.

Maybe I am missing something, but why is 360 movement considered preferable to a grid here?
stige
08-17-06, 11:03 AM I really don't feel like joining your forums, so I'm putting my comments here.

1) The Help file doesn't open up. I'm uncertain what language it's written in, but it doesn't seem compatible with Microsoft Office.

2) Throughout the program "Okay" is spelled "Oaky"

3) It is very hard to place characters on the battle map before battle because there is no scale to judge how close they are. Eyeballing it is very clunky.

4) It would be nice if you could judge people's reach with perhaps a transparent line.

5) It could use a withdraw action as well as a 5' adjustment.

Otherwise, this is shaping up nicely. I'd still like to introduce obstacles, terrain modifiers, combatants who can be introduced in mid-battle (like summoned creatures or even late-arriving foes). There should also be a way for two or more entities to share initiative (such as a wizard and familiar or caster and summoned creature), as that is a common house rule.

for later times, you don't have to register the forums in order to write. Guests can write as well.

1)I will check it very soon, the help file is probebly one of the most important things in the program since it ain't the easiest to understand. If it's truly missing I will update it 2-5 hours or so.

2)Lol, this is a funny one, amazing that so much time passed and I didn't catch it. will be fixed too.

3)thats true. The editor is currently underdeveloped. In my taste it's missing even more stuff. But priorities priorities and I can't do them all for a single version. Anyway I took a note and it will be available sooner or later.

4) Actually you can. It's not even something new, The option was there from the first version. But I guess most people won't reveal it without the manual. right click on a charcter and click "Reach Visibility". This option isn't included in my underdeveloped editor yet (but it will be)

5)Withdraw isn't something I consider a top priority matter but it's already on the long list. 5 Ft adjustment is already in the program when it's possible. Try doing a full round action and you will se you can still move 5 ft.

You can have people sharing there initiative by giving them the same initiative scores in the Character Designer
stige
08-17-06, 11:14 AM Good to see you still working on this Stige.

Maybe I am missing something, but why is 360 movement considered preferable to a grid here?

It's not nearly being finished, for now there is no reason to stop :)...It took so long just because of a vacation.

I never implied that 360 degree is better. I see it as equilvalent for normal grid. Just a matter of preferance. I chose to do it that way because:
1) It's soooooo much harder than programing a grid (and I do like challenges)
2)It's something that gives the D20 system a little twist, and in my taste bring it closer to reality (which again, in my taste is better)
3)360 degree battles are much harder to deal with without a computer. Usually it comes to using complicated equipment and relaying on eye observation. And why should we do that when we can just pile the accurate math work for our beloved computer?

hope it answers your question.

edit: after some thinking I concluded I ded implied it by the overview. Well, It's not my opinon but I gotta thrill the audiance somehow.
Arganis
08-17-06, 11:28 AM hope it answers your question.

Yes thank you. If this is the case then I strongly recommend some kind of Tape Measure Tool that can be used just like one would use it on a wargame table. This goes to wrecan's Point #3.
stige
08-17-06, 12:01 PM Yes thank you. If this is the case then I strongly recommend some kind of Tape Measure Tool that can be used just like one would use it on a wargame table. This goes to wrecan's Point #3.

Yeah I agree it's pretty essential, you will probebly find it in the next version (again...probebly).

As for the subject of the help file. I checked it out, and it was fine.
wrecan, please check that you indeed you used version 0.2.0 (because I know I had issues with the site which made people download a previous version).
I would be glad if other people can check it too and comment on this.
wrecan
08-17-06, 01:10 PM How do I know if I downloaded 2.0. It definitely is in better shape than the 1.0 version I checked out last time.
Arganis
08-17-06, 01:22 PM I have a suggestion Stige.

Perhaps you could have an option to turn a grid on. This grid would be purely visual (and to scale with the existing 360 mechanic) but would have no back-end behind it.

This way, users could choose to enable the grid and consciously move their units according to it, and you would not have to program grid mechanics in addition to the free-range wartable mechanics you have already implemented.
stige
08-17-06, 01:43 PM How do I know if I downloaded 2.0. It definitely is in better shape than the 1.0 version I checked out last time.

When you open Battle Aide the version is written in the botten left corner.
Plus, if you can switch to full screen/ use alternate sizes for chars and etc you have the new version since these are new features.
stige
08-17-06, 01:56 PM I have a suggestion Stige.

Perhaps you could have an option to turn a grid on. This grid would be purely visual (and to scale with the existing 360 mechanic) but would have no back-end behind it.

This way, users could choose to enable the grid and consciously move their units according to it, and you would not have to program grid mechanics in addition to the free-range wartable mechanics you have already implemented.

Yeah nice idea. Added to the long list :) (in a day or two I'll decide which features go for the next version)
hard_shell_almond
08-18-06, 04:10 AM What's the WASTE command for? :confused:
stige
08-18-06, 09:05 AM What's the WASTE command for? :confused:

Waste can be used for various needs. Drinking a potion, pinching your friend etc... basically I just generalized all sort of misc actions into it since there is no reason to make a button for each of them.

I checked the help file for it and it seems that the help file got a little bit out of order and the actions: Waste and Finish are for some reason in the "Aim" Header. Help file will be fixed with the next release

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
stige 08-16-06, 09:30 PM	Battle Aide 0.2.0 is out. I added few essential features requested by various people on various forums. So try it and notify me of your opinions suggestions and bugs. Stige's Productions (http://www.stige.co.nr) Just saying because of few questions I got. I moved the site to another free host. (Cant afford a normal one for a freeware ;) ).www.stige.co.nr is the redirect link. And if I will ever change the address again the redirecting link will redirect to the right place. For thoes who don't know the program: General Info " Battle Aide" is a specially made program for D20 gamers.Battle Aide will take your battling experince to the next level.No more pencils and papers battle maps, now you have a new board. Battle Aide will provide you a practical board with a 360 degree enviorment, and actions compatible with the D20 rules. Overview Easy to use battle board 360 degree enviorment (no grid) Map Designer based on the D20 rules. Windows 95 or newer versions required more information is on site.
hard_shell_almond 08-17-06, 05:53 AM	Very nice. Didn't have the time to completely check it out but it seems very good. :D
wrecan 08-17-06, 10:04 AM	I really don't feel like joining your forums, so I'm putting my comments here. 1) The Help file doesn't open up. I'm uncertain what language it's written in, but it doesn't seem compatible with Microsoft Office. 2) Throughout the program "Okay" is spelled "Oaky" 3) It is very hard to place characters on the battle map before battle because there is no scale to judge how close they are. Eyeballing it is very clunky. 4) It would be nice if you could judge people's reach with perhaps a transparent line. 5) It could use a withdraw action as well as a 5' adjustment. Otherwise, this is shaping up nicely. I'd still like to introduce obstacles, terrain modifiers, combatants who can be introduced in mid-battle (like summoned creatures or even late-arriving foes). There should also be a way for two or more entities to share initiative (such as a wizard and familiar or caster and summoned creature), as that is a common house rule.
Arganis 08-17-06, 10:12 AM	Good to see you still working on this Stige. Maybe I am missing something, but why is 360 movement considered preferable to a grid here?
stige 08-17-06, 11:03 AM	I really don't feel like joining your forums, so I'm putting my comments here. 1) The Help file doesn't open up. I'm uncertain what language it's written in, but it doesn't seem compatible with Microsoft Office. 2) Throughout the program "Okay" is spelled "Oaky" 3) It is very hard to place characters on the battle map before battle because there is no scale to judge how close they are. Eyeballing it is very clunky. 4) It would be nice if you could judge people's reach with perhaps a transparent line. 5) It could use a withdraw action as well as a 5' adjustment. Otherwise, this is shaping up nicely. I'd still like to introduce obstacles, terrain modifiers, combatants who can be introduced in mid-battle (like summoned creatures or even late-arriving foes). There should also be a way for two or more entities to share initiative (such as a wizard and familiar or caster and summoned creature), as that is a common house rule. for later times, you don't have to register the forums in order to write. Guests can write as well. 1)I will check it very soon, the help file is probebly one of the most important things in the program since it ain't the easiest to understand. If it's truly missing I will update it 2-5 hours or so. 2)Lol, this is a funny one, amazing that so much time passed and I didn't catch it. will be fixed too. 3)thats true. The editor is currently underdeveloped. In my taste it's missing even more stuff. But priorities priorities and I can't do them all for a single version. Anyway I took a note and it will be available sooner or later. 4) Actually you can. It's not even something new, The option was there from the first version. But I guess most people won't reveal it without the manual. right click on a charcter and click "Reach Visibility". This option isn't included in my underdeveloped editor yet (but it will be) 5)Withdraw isn't something I consider a top priority matter but it's already on the long list. 5 Ft adjustment is already in the program when it's possible. Try doing a full round action and you will se you can still move 5 ft. You can have people sharing there initiative by giving them the same initiative scores in the Character Designer
stige 08-17-06, 11:14 AM	Good to see you still working on this Stige. Maybe I am missing something, but why is 360 movement considered preferable to a grid here? It's not nearly being finished, for now there is no reason to stop :)...It took so long just because of a vacation. I never implied that 360 degree is better. I see it as equilvalent for normal grid. Just a matter of preferance. I chose to do it that way because: 1) It's soooooo much harder than programing a grid (and I do like challenges) 2)It's something that gives the D20 system a little twist, and in my taste bring it closer to reality (which again, in my taste is better) 3)360 degree battles are much harder to deal with without a computer. Usually it comes to using complicated equipment and relaying on eye observation. And why should we do that when we can just pile the accurate math work for our beloved computer? hope it answers your question. edit: after some thinking I concluded I ded implied it by the overview. Well, It's not my opinon but I gotta thrill the audiance somehow.
Arganis 08-17-06, 11:28 AM	hope it answers your question. Yes thank you. If this is the case then I strongly recommend some kind of Tape Measure Tool that can be used just like one would use it on a wargame table. This goes to wrecan's Point #3.
stige 08-17-06, 12:01 PM	Yes thank you. If this is the case then I strongly recommend some kind of Tape Measure Tool that can be used just like one would use it on a wargame table. This goes to wrecan's Point #3. Yeah I agree it's pretty essential, you will probebly find it in the next version (again...probebly). As for the subject of the help file. I checked it out, and it was fine. wrecan, please check that you indeed you used version 0.2.0 (because I know I had issues with the site which made people download a previous version). I would be glad if other people can check it too and comment on this.
wrecan 08-17-06, 01:10 PM	How do I know if I downloaded 2.0. It definitely is in better shape than the 1.0 version I checked out last time.
Arganis 08-17-06, 01:22 PM	I have a suggestion Stige. Perhaps you could have an option to turn a grid on. This grid would be purely visual (and to scale with the existing 360 mechanic) but would have no back-end behind it. This way, users could choose to enable the grid and consciously move their units according to it, and you would not have to program grid mechanics in addition to the free-range wartable mechanics you have already implemented.
stige 08-17-06, 01:43 PM	How do I know if I downloaded 2.0. It definitely is in better shape than the 1.0 version I checked out last time. When you open Battle Aide the version is written in the botten left corner. Plus, if you can switch to full screen/ use alternate sizes for chars and etc you have the new version since these are new features.
stige 08-17-06, 01:56 PM	I have a suggestion Stige. Perhaps you could have an option to turn a grid on. This grid would be purely visual (and to scale with the existing 360 mechanic) but would have no back-end behind it. This way, users could choose to enable the grid and consciously move their units according to it, and you would not have to program grid mechanics in addition to the free-range wartable mechanics you have already implemented. Yeah nice idea. Added to the long list :) (in a day or two I'll decide which features go for the next version)
hard_shell_almond 08-18-06, 04:10 AM	What's the WASTE command for? :confused:
stige 08-18-06, 09:05 AM	What's the WASTE command for? :confused: Waste can be used for various needs. Drinking a potion, pinching your friend etc... basically I just generalized all sort of misc actions into it since there is no reason to make a button for each of them. I checked the help file for it and it seems that the help file got a little bit out of order and the actions: Waste and Finish are for some reason in the "Aim" Header. Help file will be fixed with the next release