PCD October updates: Frame Card, Dashboard URLs and More
Added 2022-10-05 02:22:58 +0000 UTCHello GMs,
I've been incrementally adding new features to Paragon Campaign Dashboard over the last couple of months. Here are some highlights.
Web Frame Card
Embed an iframe element in a card pointing at a URL of your choice. Experimental- many websites don't support iframes, but you can use it to, for instance, embed an Improved Initiative Player View in a card.
App Settings
The App Settings pane can be opened from the right corner menu. Right now you can pick which card types to include in the New Card menu.
Dashboard URLs
Each dashboard is now accessed at its own URL. This means you can have different dashboards open in different tabs or windows. You can even embed one Dashboard into another with the Frame Card. Go crazy, I can't stop you!
Dice History Length
Dice cards can now be configured to show a smaller subset of their history. This can be helpful on dashboards with lots of dice cards and too many scroll bars.
One D&D Support and Improved Initiative
I'm keeping up with news about the next iteration of D&D. My current plan is to make any relevant updates to Improved Initiative that are needed to support the new edition. This will include updates to Basic Rules stat blocks, assuming they release these under the OGL.
I've been thinking a lot about what would be useful in a more generic combat tracker that can support different TTRPGs. I'm not sure if it's the right thing to build next, since more modern apps like Foundry are well suited to that.
Thanks for your continued support. I'm excited to keep building great tools to help you run your games!
-Evan
Comments
I looked at 5etools recently, but unfortunately I don't think it's a great idea. 5etools seems to basically be a repository for pirated content; I'm trying to follow WotC's licensing rules where applicable.
Evan Bailey
2022-10-24 00:09:32 +0000 UTCi agree if improved initiative could import stat blocks from 5etools id cry!! it would be the best thing to ever happen to anything lol there are so many things id do so many things id be able to run!
everett
2022-10-22 13:41:33 +0000 UTCThat looks great! I see you're using Edge. I might have to try that because I use chrome, and I don't know if it is because of chrome, or something else, but in the new web frames, my Improved Initiative does not refresh/update. Everything works on my side, but I have to mouse over and hit refresh to get it to update on the player view.
Jake Reindl
2022-10-09 01:20:56 +0000 UTCJake, I use this for in person sessions and it's AMAZING! I throw a Player View of the Paragon Dashboard up on my TV and with the new Web Frame, I can show the players information, photos of monsters, maps and other useful information while the initiative is on screen. It's FANTASTIC! This is what mine looks like: https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZW7GSVZFkyHpyfExJVvK8RUbLvWk0SL2im7
Mathew DeGauven
2022-10-09 00:27:10 +0000 UTCThanks Jake! There are a few options for importing stat blocks. Check out the Account tab on the Settings pane. You'll find some buttons there to import from Improved Initiative JSON or DnDAppFile XML. Some other apps on the web can export to Improved Initiative, like https://www.monstershuffler.com/
Evan Bailey
2022-10-06 22:41:47 +0000 UTCI don’t know how many others use your improved initiative software for “in person” sessions, but I do and it is hands down the most useful piece of my arsenal, so as you move forward with updates, please don’t do anything crippling to the physical usability! That said, is there ANY way to get imported stat blocks easier than typing them all in? I own like, all the source books etc, and still end up manually making monsters to add to improved initiative. Would love to see some import ability for somewhere like 5e.tools.
Jake Reindl
2022-10-06 17:35:07 +0000 UTCDude hell yes! I’m always hyped to see a new feature on dashboard. It’s just such a useful thing for my games even in its early stages. Can’t wait to check these out when I get a chance.
Adam McKinney
2022-10-06 13:55:19 +0000 UTC
