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.

What is PCGen?

PCGen is a JAVA Program that uses custom 'text' files (*.pcc and *.lst) to emulate books from table-top role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition, to help create and maintain system rules-legal characters for that game system. It allows you to print out character sheets, or export them into various formats for later use - such as a basic text sheet, xml for various forum play and software systems, htm for web browser enabled devices and pdf. PCGen is built to support the most popular d20 systems and has plans for future expansion into non-d20 based systems.

What systems does PCGen support today?

Today PCGen (version 6.2) supports Dungeons and Dragons by Wizard of the Coast - the specific versions supported directly are: 3rd edition (Known as SRD), 3.5 edition (RSRD), d20 Modern (MSRD). Due to license issues, the program can support 4th edition and the upcoming 5th edition (known as D&D Next) but we cannot supply any pre-made books. Those will require custom sets that you can make yourself.

Our list of supported d20 systems with pre-made books:

• D&D 3.0 edition (Listed as SRD - System Resource Documents)
• D&D 3.5 edition (Listed as RSRD - Revised System Resource Documents)
• D&D Modern Edition (Listed as MSRD - Modern System Resource Documents)
• Deadlands by Pinnacle Entertainment
• Fantasy Craft by Crafty Games (Crafty Games is hosting the full core rule book, we only have a level 4 demo set)
• Gaslight 1st edition by Battlefield Press
• Legends of Excalibur
• Pathfinder by Paizo Publishing
• Sidewinder
• Spycraft
• Xcrawl

Non-d20 Systems we're building support for:

• Killshot by Broken Ruler Games (This is ready to play but needs a Character Sheet to display)
• Cyberpunk
• Shadowrun

How Customizable is PCGen?

PCGen is designed with user customizations in mind. For the Books Side, we are looking to re-include an In-built LST Editor in the program for version 6.4.0. LST files are the main text files for holding the information that PCGen (JAVA Program) can read and execute. LST Files are plain text programing using a customized Language that is designed towards simple premise of Human-Readable and easily used.

PCGen has several methods to impart how to create your own custom files. First, we supply a sample folder including a full set of pcc and lst files for you to get started. We have extensive documentation in the program, and maintained on our website. Andrew Maitland has made several youtube videos explaining how to craft the files, and the common mistakes to avoid. Finally, we offer online support via our Yahoo Groups and direct help from our Support Desk Monkey - Help@PCGen.Org.

Is there support for issues and recommendations?

Yes, PCGen is a volunteer project run by monkeys and humans. We all know monkeys are a laugh, and humans are fallible. Thus, we have a Ticket Support system that is monitored by the various projects that go towards supporting PCGen. Our ticket support system is called 'JIRA' and anyone can log into the system after creating an account, and report a problem "Bug" or make recommendations for improvements (Feature Requests). The system is located at http://jira.pcgen.org.

Wait, what do all those projects visible mean? I'm totally confused?!!?!

• Data - This is the Books. Chances are if it's incorrect the logical issue would be this project. Bug is something broken; Feature is new things to be added.
• Code - This is the heart of PCGen and encompasses the JAVA involved. They also handle the User Interface (UI for short).
• Docs - This is the Documentation that comes with PCGen. Bugs are typographical errors, or formatting problems. Features would be adding new "classes" or "how-to" to explain using PCGen in new ways.
• OS - This is the output sheets or the final product you see. This encompasses the Summary bottom Pane, the Preview Sheets found on "Character" tab of the program, and all of the export methods.
• Admin - This is non-pcgen issues, like the Website has mistakes.
• Support - This is the catch-all "Help, I'm lost and need guidance". When the program is causing issues, or you cannot figure out something, this is a good place to start.

What if I mess up and place it in the wrong area?

• Fear not, our Jira is monitored by experienced project volunteers, and can easily move your issue to the correct location at any time.

How should I submit an issue? 

• Details are the key point. In order to address any issue we need facts. Please include the following in all reports:
  • Summary of the issue (Single sentence to briefly give an idea of the issue)
  • Version of PCGen (In most cases this is a requirement)
  • Data You are loading (You can submit a character file (*.pcg) to the Ticket and that will help speed things along
  • Description - What is wrong in your own words, and what is the correct result. Cite a source book if available. Since a person needs to verify the issue before making corrections.
  • Environment - Your operating system, Java version and anything else you think will help us.

Trouble Shooting Problems

Java 7 for version 5.17.11 or lower

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.

Homebrew OS Sheet for working 5.17.16 and forward

As part of an improvement to Display all the Allowable Range Increments properly for Thrown and Ranged Weapons, some changes were made to the BASE.XML file and the reliant XSLT files. Sadly, this change will break home-brew OS sheets going forward.

You have two options going forward.

Option 1: You'll need to make the following change to the section listed in your XSLT files that contains this:

Replace that entire Section with this new code.

PCGen Pastebin Link to Updated Ranges Template

Option 2:

Replace the BASE.XML file shipped by us and using an older one (But this will mean you lose the newer functionality)

Changing a Character's Sources

Sometimes you may need to change the sources a character is associated with, you could be adding a new source book you have started using or removing a book that is unused. Here's how to do it:

1. Turn off the "Load Sources with PC" option in Preferences > Sources
2. Load the desired sources
3. Load your character
4. Save your character again (I'd recommend saving to a new file)
5. Reactivate "Load Sources with PC" in preferences.

The saved character will now be registered against the new sources which will be checked each time you load the character.

Another option is to use a pre-saved source selection. This can then be used by a number of characters and just updated when you want to add books. You can create a pre-saved source selection using these steps

1. Open Sources > Select Sources and switch to the Advanced tab
2. Select the game you are using in the first drop-down.
3. Select the sources you would like to use (using Add Selected)
4. Once happy click the Save Source Selection button and enter a name for your source set.
5. Select the new set on the Basic tab and load it.

Then when you want to update the sources used for those characters just repeat the process using the same name. You should select the original saved selection first before switching to the Advanced tab and then the old books you selected will be already selected.