FAQ and Help

This is just some tips to help along. It'll be a repository of Frequently Asked Questions and Help Tips that we've encountered a lot.

Java 7

PCGen versions prior to 5.17.11 (including the current production version, 5.16.4) are not compatible with Java 7. This is now the default version Java installed for most system types. Open JDK 6 on Linux exhibits the same problems and the same fix applies.

Symptoms

When you start PCGen, all character tabs other than the summary tab are blank (i.e. the table outline is there but there is no table displayed and thus no races, classes, equipment etc. can be seen). The advanced sources tab is also empty.

Fix

There are two options to fix this:

1. Install Java 6 and ensure PCGen uses that (may require downgrading

Java or using a batch file to start PCGen with Java 6)

1. Use PCGen 5.17.11 or later. At the time of writing the current alpha version was 5.17.14. See PCGen Alpha Downloads

Windows Installations

• Vista & Win7 (32 & 64 versions) Install and Running
  • If you are running 64-bit versions of Vista or Win7, the bat file may not find JAVA. You may have to hard-code the path to java.exe. To edit those either Right Click on my Computer -> Properties -> Advanced System Settings -> Environment Variables OR Control Panel -> System -> Advanced Syystem Settings -> Environment Variables.
  • You can modify the PATH by adding your JAVA path to it.
  • Example of a Direct Reference to Java:
  • "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\java" -Dswing.aatext=true -Xms1024m -Xmx1024m -jar pcgen.jar
  • Put that in your PCGen Bat File.
  • If you're using the BAT, feel free to up the memory usage. I have mine set to 512 and 1028 (Just edit the bat file in a text editor). Set the memory to what your system can handle.
  • Install in a NON-default directory (not c:\program files) Vista and Win7 seem to have directory permission issues at times. (Especially Win7) The UAC in both can cause problems in some cases.
  • Setting the Permission of the FOLDER to the highest level can help
  • 5.17.0 onward have an exe file that solves the JAVA issue.
  • Make sure you have a current version of JAVA installed (Not normally an issue for Windows Users)

• 1) Create a pcgen.cmd file with the following in it:

• • "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\java.exe" -Dswing.aatext=true -Xms256m -Xmx1024m -jar "C:\Program Files (x86)\PCGen\PCGen5161\pcgen.jar"

• • 2) Put the pcgen.cmd file in your C:\program files (x86)\pcgen\pcgen5161\ directory.
  • 3) Change your shortcut link to the pcgen.cmd file.