"Aura" You Have Been Doing it Wrong.

A teasing post, pray thee elaborate?

That is cool, API script I assume?

The left image is PNG where the bright green lines are transparent (place on object layer.)

The right image is matching PNG where no transparency exists (place on map layer.)

Token "Aura" will appear below the left image (its just how Roll 20 works.)

This give use a grid that can be player controlled by token "Aura."

Gauss said:

That is cool, API script I assume?

No API needed.... we have just all been using aura wrong :P

I'm expecting something to do with transparencies, either way... its got potentially interesting applications...

<edit> darn, didn't refresh before posting and now i look like i've read the answer then posted it as a theory!!

The only issue with this is having to make sure the z-order on the object layer is always maintained.

Doesn't having the grid on the object layer make it prone to being moved around accidentally in normal game play?

Mark G. said:

Doesn't having the grid on the object layer make it prone to being moved around accidentally in normal game play?

Nah. Its not player controlled. And we put objects on the object layer all the time.

Nightvision: http://i.imgur.com/QpEx8Hh.gif

HA! I love your brain... one question though, is it not library heavy having 2 png's of every map?

Ziechael said:

HA! I love your brain... one question though, is it not library heavy having 2 png's of every map?

Yea... but you only need it for situations where it would be a value add to the story and you only need it where you want the create the interference pattern with the aura.

This is a low tech Roll20 tip that any GM can leverage whatever their level of support.

Very interesting! I can see this technique being used to show hidden symbols/messages to players who hold a special magic item/torch.

Could this be used to display a blueprint and real map type of thing? Something like this? http://indiegames.com/2012/09/27/monaco%201.jpg

Josiah B. said:

Could this be used to display a blueprint and real map type of thing? Something like this? http://indiegames.com/2012/09/27/monaco%201.jpg

Yeap...

Or a control panel....

http://i.imgur.com/YrtP4ZY.gif

I think Stephen must have been dropped on his head as a wee lad. lol How did you come to think this up?

Maybe I'm off in my own thoughts..., but some uses that quickly come to mind; detect magic, read magic, perception-based map elements(traps, secret doors, illusions, etc.), reading language-specific text.

Oh no... Vince is here.

He will take a fun idea mentioned in passing and want to turn it into a big project for someone to code.

Vince said:

reading language-specific text.

That is interesting.... Any token can belong to any player(s) and aura can be limited to controlling player.

So you could trick out hidden messages understandable only to the initiated.

Or moon runes....

Stephen S. said:

Josiah B. said:

Could this be used to display a blueprint and real map type of thing? Something like this? http://indiegames.com/2012/09/27/monaco%201.jpg

Yeap...

Or a control panel....

http://i.imgur.com/YrtP4ZY.gif

So I am trying to wrap my mind around the execution still. So for the blueprint method. would the blueprint room be the map and the interior be the token or the other way around?

http://i.imgur.com/8op6E1U.gif


Its two nearly identical maps only,,, one has "holes" in and is on the object layer...
... and other one, without holes, is on the map layer.

Aura highlights the difference (in transparency) between the maps.


Another way to look at it:

Token Layer (to front)_________________________________Token with Aura on__________________
Token Layer (to back)______________________________Map with transparent shapes_____________
Token Layer (Auto)__________________________**********AURA IS ALWAYS HERE*******___________

Map Layer______________________________________Same map with no transparent shapes_________

This is freaky and impressive, if a bit hard to wrap your brain around at first. Thanks for sharing and creating such concepts.

Let me get this straight, verbally.

So the Aura shows through on the Transparent parts of your Top (object layer) "map"? So you would make the "grid" transparent for the grid-showing-aura. You would make the secret letters transparent. You would make the control panel digital screen text transparent.

You would make the underneath (map layer) solid, no transparency --- the map without a grid, the Smaug map without the secret lettering, the control panel with its screen blank.

And then the Token that has AURA would be able to see the "Transparent" parts.

Is that the sum of it, in more words?

That's it!

I can also do the 3D (like the Nintendo DS) no glasses need.

However it takes a chrome extension and you have to your camera on.

Its really good if you have multi-level maps.

(Its jut creating an illusion of parallax.)

http://i.imgur.com/3OeQRO8.gif

First off: BURN THE WITCH! *ahem*

This. Is. Awesome!

Thirdly, now I must improve my graphics making/editing skills in order to harness this. I have no idea what I'll use this FOR, but that isn't the point!

Oh god, why did you just give me a new reason to re-do my Tomb of Horrors map for the 4th time?

very nice. +1

This would make an excellent YouTube tutorial video. Hint hint...

augh.... i am somewhat helpful but not entirely helpful.

This is nifty... but also annoying if you use a-lot of to-front and to-back, especially with the token api scripts. It should come in handy for mystery notes however, it becomes a 1 tricky pony at that point though. I'll probably use it for my Mummy's mask campaign for puzzles.

Awesome find!

This idea is amazing! I was struggling with the idea of leaving hidden messages on the map for specific players without having everyone wait will I secret message the player. I'm going to try and use this in my Runelords campaign.

It will also work with crypto tokens:

http://i.imgur.com/AY2DRYZ.gif

I have used that in combination before (aura and PNG interfernce patterns.)

Which Chrome extension do you use for the 3d effect? My whole group uses chrome for roll20 so i could probably convince them to download it once I figure out how to edit the images for it. (I saw too many 3d Chrome apps so wasn't sure which one)

How on earth did you do the nightvision version?

Dystropia said:
How on earth did you do the nightvision version?

The green glow is the aura. The map layer is black. There is an object on the objects layer, at the very bottom that is transparent, except for the black cracks between the stones. Auras exist on a layer between the map layer and the object layer, so the black cracks are drawn on top of the green aura, giving the illusion of nightvision. =D

Tbh this is awesome for just so many reasons... I wish this would be easier to implement on some maps lol. TBH I wish the aura grid thing was just already included in the game. When you wanna show threat spaces / Light but not have it not stand out so badly... Ah well.