The Paladin's Tomb

[torstan]

That is a lovely map. Are you using it for a VTT or is that one just for you to see?

[JFJohnny5]

Are you using it for a VTT or is that one just for you to see?

Hmm. Both, lol.

This version with the numbers is for my reference. But as I made it in Photoshop, I'll save another version with the number layer turned off. I will then load that one into MapTool.

Now here's the crazy part. I have a MacBook Pro running Parallels. So I will load the DM side of MapTools into OSX (gotta love Java for cross-platforming). Then I connect an external display which will run WinXP in Parallels and load the MapTools client here. I will face that display to the players and enable Fog of War. So as they go through the map, I reveal portions of it to them. Then when there are encounters, we play those out on a wet-erase Chessex mat with minis.

So it's just like running MapTool with 2 PCs. Only one of those PCs is virtualized on my Mac.

[Badger]

Thats a pretty cool idea... I might have to try something like that...

[RPMiller]

Hmm. Both, lol.

This version with the numbers is for my reference. But as I made it in Photoshop, I'll save another version with the number layer turned off. I will then load that one into MapTool.

Now here's the crazy part. I have a MacBook Pro running Parallels. So I will load the DM side of MapTools into OSX (gotta love Java for cross-platforming). Then I connect an external display which will run WinXP in Parallels and load the MapTools client here. I will face that display to the players and enable Fog of War. So as they go through the map, I reveal portions of it to them. Then when there are encounters, we play those out on a wet-erase Chessex mat with minis.

So it's just like running MapTool with 2 PCs. Only one of those PCs is virtualized on my Mac.

Curious, why don't you use MapTool for the combat as well? Just asking to see if there is something that might need to be considered when they start on the next version.

[JFJohnny5]

Curious, why don't you use MapTool for the combat as well? Just asking to see if there is something that might need to be considered when they start on the next version.

With everyone being physically in the room, we just prefer to play with the minis. Little kids at heart I guess.

[torstan]

You know you can run two instances of maptool on the same computer? Or is it a mouse/keyboard thing?

[JFJohnny5]

You know you can run two instances of maptool on the same computer?

<dumbstruck>

Actually, I didn't know that... I think I'll look into it. Parallels kind of eats up resources, so not having to run it would be nice.

Anything special? Or do I just start it up a second time?

[torstan]

Just start it a second time. Set up a server with one instance as GM. In the other maptool instance join the server as player (probably best to use the direct connect option). Then one will always show the player view and you get the GM window all to yourself.

Put the player instance on the second monitor, point it at the players and you are good to go.