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Novice working on GURPS Character Sheet Project

With an associates in computer programming, I'm more passionate than experienced with this.  None of my education was with HTML, CSS, or Javascript.  Still, I am not deterred. Can I download existing character sheets and tweek them outside of the Roll20? There's no telling how long it will take me to get it right and I'd rather not pay for the subscription till I'm actually producing something. Will I be able to display everything in a browser for trouble shooting or will I need a IDE kind of program? Do any of you have time to speak with me on the first steps in being a character sheet author?
1513462972
vÍnce
Pro
Sheet Author
Can I download existing character sheets and tweek them outside of the Roll20? There's no telling how long it will take me to get it right and I'd rather not pay for the subscription till I'm actually producing something. You can, but you really need to have access to roll20's character sheet editor(html, css, translation, preview) and the ability to use a custom sheet in a game.&nbsp; These are pro perks.&nbsp; I used a "wrapper" to emulate roll20 offline a long time ago, but it was wonky at best.&nbsp; Repeating fieldsets will not work and roll20's special fonts will be missing, lack of roll20's implementation of javascript.&nbsp; I believe there were other things that wouldn't function as well.&nbsp; Check the roll20 wiki( <a href="https://wiki.roll20.net/Building_Character_Sheets" rel="nofollow">https://wiki.roll20.net/Building_Character_Sheets</a> ) since there are many idiosyncrasies to how roll20 works with html, css, and javascript(called&nbsp; sheet workers on roll20).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Will I be able to display everything in a browser for trouble shooting or will I need a IDE kind of program? I use notepad++ and Visual Studio Code to edit offline, but copy/paste into the roll20 character sheet editor, open in-game to see the "actual" results.&nbsp; The characters sheet editor preview tab is not reliable IMO. Do any of you have time to speak with me on the first steps in being a character sheet author? Best to ask questions on the forums since there are probably ten other people with the same question.&nbsp; ;-)
1513485306
Mike W.
Pro
Sheet Author
Dair Indy Do you plan on creating a new sheet or modify one of the two already in Roll20? Either way I would love to be a tester for you and provide input. I am not a programmer, just an anxious GURPS GM and Player. Mike I
There is active work on a GURPS character sheet by Scott S.&nbsp; He runs our GURPS game and he programs the sheet.&nbsp; Perhaps you should collaborate with him as the sheet is very detailed and getting better all the time.&nbsp; It would save you a LOT of work to use what he already has.
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Vince: Thank you for your detailed response to my questions. Mike: &nbsp;For starters, I'll be looking at the existing two GURPS character sheets.&nbsp; Best if I cut my teeth by learning on the current GURPS character sheets.&nbsp; I see myself quickly moving on to working on my own version, seeing personal preferences toward elements of both the character sheets.&nbsp; When I start working on it, I'll see about including you in play testing it.
Omegaman said: There is active work on a GURPS character sheet by Scott S.&nbsp; ... Perhaps you should collaborate with him as the sheet is very detailed and getting better all the time.&nbsp; It would save you a LOT of work to use what he already has. Thanks Omegaman.&nbsp; Is Scott S. involved with GURPS or Style #2 character sheet?&nbsp; I was unable to find his name attached to either character sheet. Could I get someone for a real time chat on either Roll20, Skype, or Discord to get this: &nbsp; I'm trying to follow the multitude of Roll20 and GitHub forums; it's a real headache.&nbsp; I'm typically given a task to perform, code it, and bring it back for a grade.
I don't think Scott ever got around to publishing his GURPS Sheet on Roll20 and must be using it as a custom sheet in his games only, since all PRO users have that perk. I don't even know if he can publish it, given there's 2 gurps sheets already it may as well not be possible. But getting in touch with him is a good idea, I don't have his contact info, but you could try the GURPS Discord server.
1515260259
Mike W.
Pro
Sheet Author
Also considering that the author of GURPS Sheet #2 no longer supports that sheet and is no longer and active member of the Roll20 community. I do think having more than 2 would not be good. If Roll20 could determine if sheet #2 is not being used then maybe it can be dropped - or if in limited use then contact the GM of those games.
I know a group that uses Style #2, and I can imagine others do too, so removing that sheet is probably out of the question as it would ruin their games. Another thing: SJG's online policy may also prohibit the distribution of heavily automated character sheets as that would violate their proprietary rights over GURPS rules, but I'm not sure of this, or where exactly the boundary lies.
I've read Roll20's&nbsp;goal to have as few a character sheets for each system, for public accessible.&nbsp; I've discovered more of the options the 1st character sheet (White & Gray) has to offer.&nbsp; There's far less I would like to change than I thought.&nbsp; Abilities are probably the most annoying.&nbsp; I wish to take the total points spent on an Attribute out of calculation for the attribute's ending value.&nbsp; This would allow for limitations & modifiers to be applied to Attribute costs.&nbsp; Example -10% discount to ST for each size greater than 0.&nbsp; At the same time, I wish to alter the attribute value due to selected conditions of shock or the loss of FP & HP, some of which the original author did. Problem is, in order to allow Attributes to be altered by the computer, the stat must be calculated, not manually entered.&nbsp; Thus, manually entering the Attribute is only possible if there is still another field with result of calculations.&nbsp; Example: ST 15 = ST 14 + Mod 1 Each field having to be somewhere on the character sheet.
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Well it goes to say that if either sheet is changed or dropped it will have an effect on some game some where and someone will not be happy. With no real ownership of the existing 2 sheets it is probably best to leave them alone and offer a third one. I would prefer a sheet that does as little calculating as possible especially where the points are concerned but provide roll templates with scripting that allows for GURPS style rolls and results.. It is best just to enter those points in in manually as Dair Indy suggested IF you want to use them at all. I certainly would not like to see a sheet like the Pathfinder sheet that is so heavy in calculations that it can take minutes for the sheet to even open at times. Calculate skill levels based on the points entered - yes Calculate weights carried - yes Calcuating Move and Dodhe - yes Calculate things like limitation, enhancements and further in depth designs - No - Use GCA or GCS to make the calculations as that is what they are designed for, then transfer the points manually). I do not think Mike was actually saying to drop the sheet unless it was not being used at all - All GURPS games I have played or currently play are using sheet #1 anyways. There was also a recent thread, I wish I could find it again, about the licensing of such sheets and their designs. I have contacted SJG before about their licensing and basically if it is a tool provided for free and does not present any copyrighted material, such as descriptions and such, then they are ok with it. Check their website for fan created tools and you will see what I mean. As far as Roll20 tryign to limit those sheets, that I have no knowledge and that could make things even more complicated. Just my 3d6 worth.
To clarify, I'm not adding any more calculations.&nbsp; Looking at GitHub, making changes to the main character sheets as a community and having Roll20 determine which to keep is how it already works.&nbsp; I noticed that the Modify feature for moving Skills around on the character sheet is finally working on the GURPS sheet. My biggest goal is to separate the point total from the stats.&nbsp; You're right, Skills don't need to be touched as the cost is always the same with use of the modifier column.&nbsp; Attributes such as ST & DX, there are a few things that can affect them.&nbsp; If my other posts sound like I was going to add more automation, I cant think of a single thing that I wanted to increase in that regard.&nbsp; I noticed the button for Basic Speed failed to post the speed on the Turn Tracker.&nbsp; The way work and my other games are going, I believe it'll be a long while before I dable on the character sheets.