Introducing d20Pro Extensions

Hail and well met,

Allow me to introduce the new d20Pro Extension plugin system that is included with v3.3. This post serves as an initial push of information ahead of the full-fledged documentation coming soon on the main help site.

Q: What is an Extension?
A: Well, pretty much anything you can think of. You may code up any self-contained module with a Swing front-end. The plugin has full access to the d20Pro Java Application and its associated virtual machine (JVM). There is also an API in development for searching and modifying the game state such as Creature state. In it's first incarnation, Extensions may write to the Game Log, clever undocumented hacks notwithstanding. Expect every release to add new capabilities to the API to allow more powerful functionality and control over game mechanics. :ugeek:

Q: I've never coded before so how do I benefit?
A: Odds are people in your network do and there are no limitations on sharing plugins with other d20Pro installations. At a minimum I would be surprised if the d20Pro Forums aren't proliferated with fan contributed plugins for your favorite game system or house rule before long be they good, bad, or ugly. :twisted:

Q: Anything else I should know?
A: The Extension system is a significant mutation in d20Pro's "DNA" and serves as a foothold to the future where game system rules and other VTT capabilities will be completely open. Basically what I'm saying is this is only the beginning. And besides the anything-goes Extensions mentioned above, plugins will start becoming available on the d20Pro Marketplace. Beyond the plugins the d20Pro Team is looking forward to delivering directly, other professional grade developers will have the opportunity to build Extensions and other plugins for sale on the Marketplace that must be tested and approved before they go up for sale.

Q: What happens next?
A: I will be posting the first plugin ThumbClicker for anyone's use. It is useful for tracking arbitrary counters (e.g. initiative tracking in Hackmaster). Also will post a preliminary technical document that will walk Java programmers through how a plugin is written and packaged up in detail.

 

For those interested in being among the first to try out Extensions, you may download ThumbClicker v1.0 here. To deploy, save this file to d20Pro/extensions (creating the directory if necessary).

First make sure you are using v3.3.1 and start up d20Pro. Now in the main menu you will see Extensions. Click on that you should have ThumbClicker installed. Enjoy. :geek:

The documentation for how to write your own plugins is coming soon, stay tuned!

 

The information and a starter kit have been posted here. If you are interested in coding up your own Extension please give it a look.

 

Hail and well met nisha,

Look for more activity with Extensions as the v3.4 release gathers steam.

 

Thanks mercury00! The extension system is going to be amazing.

And sorry all it's taken a lot longer that expected. My 1 y/o has been a really big handful. But things are looking really good for d20Pro in 2014. More news soon - staying focused on delivering the Kickstarter right. Then it is back to coding!

Thanks all for your patience and see you on the Game Grid. :ugeek:

 

Hail and well future d20Pro developers,

d20Pro Extensions is being folded into the upcoming Unlimited Rules Engine. Please keep an eye out for the d20Pro Unlimited Kickstarter and of course here on the forums for information about plugins. They are coming and will be worth the wait!