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Dungeons & Dragons Manuals & Modules Platform 4.3.0

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malarrya
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Version 4.3.0 of the D&D M&M Platform
Still Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons!

Well, I lied... sort of. I figured I’d eventually find image and text errors, but didn’t think I’d discover around 23 more TSR products to include. For all intents and purposes, I thought the platform was complete. After letting the dust settle on V4.0.0 of the D&D M&M Platform release and focusing my attention elsewhere, I came back with a fresh view and found the usual image anomalies. I wound up also discovering a whole series of gamebooks I never knew existed. I’m well aware of the “choose your own adventure” Endless Quest series of books (which are for reading and not gaming) but was not familiar with the Super Endless Quest Series (which are more gameplay oriented). I also discovered a few other interesting items along the way, all of which are detailed below. There are perhaps hundreds of novels created in the TSR era delving into the worlds of DragonLance, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, etc., but I likely won’t ever include all these novels as they are not really gaming products. I will continue to make updates, however, as I find more items related to GAMING, such as the 1on1 series, but I only add new items to the database if a PDF of the item actually exists. There is a substantial amount of 3rd party products from such publishers as Judge’s Guild, but this platform was only ever intended to feature TSR produced products -- or the writers/artists that developed for TSR. Hope you enjoy the update!

Thanks so much to websites like TSRArchive, RPGGeek, DriveThruRPG, eBay, and Worthpoint which without these amazing sites, none of this would be possible. I must reiterate, however, that NO PDFs or Software are included with this platform. This retrospective image and data compilation is for the preservation, enjoyment, and appreciation of the mythology, artwork, history, development, and universe that is D&D. 

NOTE: Apply this update pack AFTER installing the v4.0.0 full platform pack. Overwrite all files for which you are prompted.

Newly discovered product additions:

  1. TSR6002 - Chainmail - Rules for Medieval Miniatures - 3rd Edition (7th Printing) (same title as TSR2008 but newer version and updated product number).
  2. TSR8225 - Forgotten Realms - Gold Promo Poster Map - What is the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting Anyway.
    • Created the 3D image using a new PSD brochure model.
    • Fabricated a new PDF using images found around the internet.
  3. TSR8464 - 1 on 1 - Adventure Gamebooks - Challenge of Druid's Grove (there are 10 of these 1on1 sets but, as of this release, only 1 exists in PDF format).
  4. Super Endless Quest - Adventure Gamebooks Series 1-18 - using a new paperback 3D model:
    • TSR8951 - Super Endless Quest - Adventure Gamebook 1 - Prisoners of Pax Tharkas.
    • TSR8952 - Super Endless Quest - Adventure Gamebook 2 - The Ghost Tower.
    • TSR8953 - Super Endless Quest - Adventure Gamebook 3 - Escape from Castle Quarras.
    • TSR8954 - Adventure Gamebook 4 - A DragonLance Adventure - The Soulforge (TSR dropped the “Super Endless Quest” moniker after book 3).
    • TSR8955 - Adventure Gamebook 5 - Test of the Ninja.
    • TSR8956 - Adventure Gamebook 6 - Master of Ravenloft.
    • TSR8957 - Adventure Gamebook 7 - Sceptre of Power.
    • TSR8958 - Adventure Gamebook 8 - Nightmare Realm of Baba Yaga.
    • TSR8959 - Adventure Gamebook 9 - The Sorcerer's Crown.
    • TSR8960 - Adventure Gamebook 10 - A DragonLance Adventure - Lords of Doom.
    • TSR8961 - Adventure Gamebook 11 - Clash of the Sorcerers.
    • TSR8962 - Adventure Gamebook 12 - Curse of the Werewolf.
    • TSR8963 - Adventure Gamebook 13 - Gates of Death.
    • TSR8964 - Adventure Gamebook 14 - Trail Sinister.
    • TSR8965 - Adventure Gamebook 15 - The Vanishing City.
    • TSR8966 - Adventure Gamebook 16 - A DragonLance Adventure - Shadow Over Nordmaar.
    •  TSR8967 - Adventure Gamebook 17 - A Forgotten Realms Adventure - Spawn of Dragonspear.
    • TSR8968 - Adventure Gamebook 18 - Prince of Thieves.
  5. TSRXXXX - AD&D 25th Anniversary - IQ3 - Warriors of the Gray Queen (a unique D&D mini-module from the pages of InQuest magazine).
  6. TSRXXXX - TriviAthlon - The Arcane Challenge (a fold-out poster with a 100-question contest possibly shipped with Dragon Magazine subscriptions or distributed to book/game stores).

New 3D models for existing items:

  1. TSR91271 - Ravenloft - Introduction to the Land of the Mists - Promo Poster.
    • Updated the 3D image using a new PSD brochure model.
    • Fabricated a much better PDF using images found around the internet.
  2. TSR9423 - The Official Dungeon Master Decks - Game Accessory - CR3 - Deck of Magical Items.
    • Added new 3D box model as there were 2 packaging versions of the original product.
    • This addition is similar to how the Deck of Wizard Spells was released.

Existing images updated:

  1. 12 updated Box Back images.
  2. 7 updated Box Spine images.
  3. 7 updated Box 3D images.
  4. 2 updated Box Front images.
  5. AD&D 1st Edition Banner/Clear Logo image updated.

Data Updates

  1. Assigned new items to various playlists
  2. Assigned new items to various filters
  3. Created 2 new FORMAT filters
    • Paperback Book
    • Slipcase

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Version 4.0.0 of the D&D M&M Platform
Happy 50th Anniversary to Dungeons & Dragons!

Well, after 6 years, this project has arrived at its FINAL version; coinciding with D&D's 50th Anniversary. This was quite a major endeavor that involved hundreds of hours searching for images, collecting data, fixing errors, Photo-Shopping images, finding and fabricating 3D models, creating playlists, recreating images, creating and keying in specifications for each item, and overall attempting to make the platform as robust as possible. I could probably spend several more months or even years on the finite data details but the image collection is, by and large, complete. I might possibly do some very minor updates in the future, if I find any glaring mistakes, but this is where the TSR-era D&D quest ends. If you’ve been along for the ride, and have downloaded previous versions, I hope you enjoyed the journey. If you are new to this platform, I hope you revel the rich artwork and detailed information. Finally, I hope you appreciate the effort and care put into this project. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable, experience gaining, hit-point sacrificing, magical adventure.

Thanks so much to websites like TSRArchive, RPGGeek, DriveThruRPG, eBay, and Worthpoint which without these amazing sites, none of this would be possible. I must reiterate, however, that NO PDFs or Software are included with this platform. This retrospective image and data compilation is for the preservation, enjoyment, and appreciation of the mythology, artwork, history, development, and universe that is D&D

The following is a probably not a complete list of the changes for v4.0, but I’ll do my best.

  1. Added 7 new TSR products including
    • DragonLance Saga Graphic Novels Books 1-5 (fantastic adaptations of the DragonLance novels from TSR and DC Comics).
    • DragonQuest Game 3rd Edition (TSR bought the rights from SPI then released a 3rd edition of the game).
    • TSR11523 - Dungeons & Dragons - Adventure Game - The Adventure Begins Now (a variation of 11450).
  2. Over 330 new or updated Box – Front images.
    • Many new images to replace blurry or truncated images.
    • Resized images that were way too large.
    • Blended colors to smooth blotchiness on many images.
    • Much clearer or richer artwork.
  3. Over 380 new or updated Box – Back images.
    • Many new images replaced blurry or truncated images.
    • Resized images that were way too large.
    • Blended colors to smooth blotchiness on many images.
    • Removed stains/discolorations from numerous images.
    • Fixed colors on many images so front and back images match.
  4. Over 150 new or updated Box – Spine images.
    • Many new images replaced blurry or truncated images.
    • Resized images that were way too large.
    • Corrected lettering, coloring, trademarks, and logos on spine images so they better match box front images. 
  5. The bulk of the work went into recreating nearly 770 Box – 3D images.
    • ALL 3-D images are now 300 DPI. This completes the migration of the entire main D&D image collection to 300 DPI.
    • Many new images replaced blurry or truncated images.
    • Blended colors to smooth blotchiness on many images.
    • Much clearer or richer artwork.
    • Resized images that were way too large.
    • Fixed nearly all manuals and modules width to better exhibit the thickness of the book.
    • Fixed nearly all the boxed sets to better exhibit the proper box thickness.
    • Most all the book spines can be viewed using the 3D viewer while the 3D display images show the page/book thickness. I felt these 2 different views/features of LaunchBox collectively give a better overall perception of the product's appearance.
  6. Updated TSR8441 - The Worlds of TSR with new hardback with dustcover 3D book model.
  7. Fixed/updated filenames on several items to better represent the product title. The new filenames are as follows:
    • TSR3107 - Birthright - Domain Sourcebook - Player's Secrets of Tuornen
    • TSR9451 - Ravenloft - Official Game Accessory - RR9 - Van Richten's Guide to the Ancient Dead
    • TSR9477 - Ravenloft - Official Game Accessory - RR10 - Van Richten's Guide to Fiends
    • TSR9495 - Ravenloft - Official Game Adventure - RR11 - Chilling Tales
    • TSR9496 - Ravenloft - Official Game Accessory - RR12 - Van Richten's Guide to the Vistani
    • TSR9498 - Ravenloft - Campaign Expansion - The Gothic Earth Gazetteer - A Masque of the Red Death Accessory
    • TSR9529 - Ravenloft - Campaign Expansion - A Guide to Transylvania - A Masque of the Red Death Accessory
    • TSR9543 - DragonLance - Fifth Age - Dramatic Supplement - Heroes of Sorcery
    • TSR9546 - DragonLance - Fifth Age - Dramatic Supplement - Heroes of Hope
    • TSR11450 - Dungeons & Dragons - Adventure Game - The Adventure Begins Now
  8. Greatly expanded the Series filter with numerous additions.
  9. Expanded the Setting filter with several new locations.
  10. Split the Core Rules playlist into 2 new, more meaningful playlists.
    • New Spells & Magic playlist that includes mostly items for spellcasters.
    • New Maps & Treasure playlist that includes mostly items for adventurers and fortune seekers.
    • Added playlist icons for these 2 new playlists.
    • The Core Rules playlist now mostly consists of handbooks specifically targeted at DMs and Players.
    • Connected or corrected items to and from various other playlists.
  11. Renamed the RPGA playlist to RPGA/Tournament.
    • Added several new entries to this playlist.
  12. Fixed many items that were associated with the wrong category/filter or ones that had no entry for a specific filter.
  13. Removed WM101-200 - Chainmail - 2nd Edition as it is neither a TSR nor an AD&D 2nd Edition WOTC product.

SPECIAL NOTE:  When installing the D&D Platform on the FREE version of LaunchBox, the LaunchBox application will automatically remove the custom filters from the Dungeons & Dragons XML file. If LaunchBox is later updated to the PAID version, it will no longer show/contain the custom filters. You will need to re-extract the Dungeons & Dragons XML from the RAR archive (\LaunchBox\Data\Platforms) then overwrite the existing XML in the ..\LaunchBox\Data\Platforms directory on your local drive. This must be done while the LaunchBox application is shut down.

-----------------------------------------------------------INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  1. For a new installation, just extract the LaunchBox folder in the archive into the same folder where your LaunchBox installation exists.
  2. Do the same even if you have a previous D&D installation but overwrite any/all D&D related files.
  3. This should update everything properly. However, there may be playlists and images with defunct filenames left over from any previous D&D installations. Delete these, if desired.
  4. Be sure to clear your image Cache in LaunchBox and BigBox to see the newest images.

    image.png

     
  5. The paths to the Game/PDF files are all now set to Z:\ in the Dungeons & Dragons.xml, since I am currently using a network drive that contains my files. 

    You can change this to your path by doing the following:
  • Navigate to your \LaunchBox\Data\Platforms folder and open the Dungeons & Dragons.xml file in TEXT Editor program (such as Notepad++). 
  • Find/Replace Z:\ with yourpath\ - You can use a relative path such as ..\D&D\ or an absolute path such as C:\DnD\
    image.thumb.png.a6ba86229a71310ec9f4bf0cbf8416a0.png

Setting Up the D&D Platform after copying: 

  1. Using your PC's Explorer/file system:
    1. Place your D&D PDFs in a folder that is at the same level as your LaunchBox directory (I use  a network drive mapped to z:/D&D). See the image above on how to change that.
    2. Use FATMATCH or a similar program to rename your PDFs so they are similar to the image filenames: https://emumovies.com/files/file/227-fatmatch-file-renamer/
  2. Selecting Platform Categories should make the D&D Platform automatically appear. If it doesn't, you can do the following:
    Within the LaunchBox Application
    • Add a new Platform by selecting TOOLS ==> IMPORT ==> ROM Files
    • Select the folder where you've stored your PDFs. In my case it's  c:/D&D
    • If you use a folder named D&D that's at the same level as your LaunchBox folder, you'll only need to scan in a few files. This is just to get the Platform to show up.
      • The relative paths for the PDFs are already set to ..\D&D\ in the LaunchBox Dungeons & Dragons XML.
      • If you store your PDFs in a different named folder or at a different level then you'll have to rescan all the files. It's easier just to rename the directory.
      • You can also FIND/REPLACE the ..\D&D\ path in the Dungeons & Dragons XML with your path.
      • For example, if your D&D PDFs folder is c:\Emulators\Dungeons & Dragons, you would need to set the <ApplicationPath>..\D&amp;D\  for every game in the XML to <ApplicationPath>..\Emulators\Dungeons &amp; Dragons\
  3. I have done this installation numerous times on different PCs to test. If you need help, please ask. I am not responsible if you mess up your LaunchBox installation

In order to attach a D&D playlist to the main Dungeons & Dragons Platform, perform the following steps within LaunchBox:

  1. On the left drop-down menu select Playlists. This should allow you to see all the D&D Playlists I've created.
  2. Right-click on a playlist and select EDIT.
  3.  Click the Parents tab
  4. Unckeck the ROOT checkbox
  5. Check the box next to Dungeons & Dragons

To get the D&D 3D images to show up do the following:

  1. Select the Dungeons & Dragons menu item in LaunchBox
  2. Navigate to TOOL ==> VIEW ==> IMAGE GROUP ==> 3D BOXES

To have the PDFs Launch with the PDF reader of your choice:

  1. In LaunchBox, select ALL images that pertain to PDFs
  2. Right-click on one of the images and select EDIT. The BULK Edit window will pop up.
  3. Select EMULATOR from the Field and change the value to either Adobe Acrobat or Rocket Launcher
  4. I use Soda PDF reader version 7.2.03 (it's FREE) connected to RocketLauncher.
    1. I've included the required Rocket Launcher scripts in the download archive.
    2. RocketLauncher already has built-in AHK files for Soda PDF which makes it super easy to run properly.
    3. Soda PDF has a nice 3D page-turning effect which makes the manuals more realistic.
  5. If you'd like to use Adobe Acrobat (or some other PDF Reader) you can easily add it as an emulator in LaunchBox.
    1. Right-click on 1 image and select EDIT.
    2. Add Adobe Acrobat as a new emulator as seen in this image.
      image.thumb.png.1f64b2b7e626ff9acfb9fdd83d5eff25.png

To have the background image in LaunchBox be the same as the Box-Front image, perform the following steps:

  1. Navigate to TOOL ==> OPTIONS 
  2. Click on Background Priorities and check the BOX-FRONT checkbox.
  3. Set the Default Background to Use Blown Up Art
  4. To get all D&D screenshot images to display for previewing, check the  BOX-FRONT, BOX-BACK, BOX-3D, and BOX-SPINE checkboxes in SCREENSHOT Priorities.
    image.thumb.png.9d708de9bce76e18b199c39739002d78.png

If you are missing artwork for the Video Games Playlist, do the following in LaunchBox:

  1. Open the D&D Video Games Playlist
  2. do CTRL+A to select all items in the playlist.
  3. Click the Main Menu (the 3 horizontal lines) in the upper left-hand corner.
  4. Select Download Metadata and Media.
  5. The D&D Video Games Playlist is by no means complete for every console and arcade title out there. It presently contains mostly PC games. If you have an extensive library, add any and all games you'd like to the playlist.

If you want to add a description to the main D&D Platform, do the following in LaunchBox:

  1. Open the D&D Platform Notes text file included in the ZIP archive.
  2. Right-Click on the Dungeons & Dragons Platform and select EDIT.
  3. Click on the Notes tab.
  4. Copy then Paste the text from the D&D Platform Notes into the NOTES text box.
  5. Click OK

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---------------------------------------------- BACKGROUND ----------------------------------------------

I've been working on a this LB Dungeons & Dragons system, for educational and historical preservation purposes (and for personal enjoyment), for quite some time now. I originally made it for my Hyperspin installation but finally decided to try it out for Launchbox. Once I saw how feature-rich LaunchBox is, I decided to rework this D&D system for LB. 

There will definitely be updates to the filenames, images, and notes as I find misspellings, omissions, grammatical errors, and other mistakes. I did not type all the notes myself but found a lot of information and back-cover descriptions for each file on sites such as rpggeek.com, tsrbothgunsblazing.com, tomeoftreasures.com, waynesbooks.com, dmsguild.com, worthpoint.com, and several others. Much of the data on these sites had a lot of misspellings, omissions, and grammatical errors so I did my best in refining the data.

If you're a Dungeons & Dragons player, enjoy reading the mythology, or simply enjoy the artwork, you may enjoy this LaunchBox system. The games within the system consist of Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks, gaming modules, cards, and boardgames from Original D&D all the way through the end of AD&D 2nd Edition (~1972-2000). This is not a video game system but a PDF e-reader system. THERE ARE NO D&D PDFs FOR DOWNLOAD, ONLY IMAGES AND DB FILES FOR USE WITH LAUNCHBOX! I will NOT provide you with PDFs, PC CD ISOs, or links to them. If you already possess the PC programs or PDF modules/books, this is simply an art-driven way to collect them all together and make it easy to find and launch for your gaming sessions.

You may be wondering how it works with a PDF reader. Well, I use Soda PDF with Rocket Launcher and it works amazing. Please search for and download Soda PDF reader (it's FREE!) version 7.2.03 and connect it to RocketLauncher. RocketLauncher already has built-in AHK files for Soda PDF which makes it super easy to run properly. I also like to view the PDFs in 3D as it has the nice page-turning effect.

I've included several playlists that make up the various game settings such as Forgotten Realms, Planescape, Ravenloft, and DragonLance. As you can see in the examples, I use the front page of the manual as the background for the selected item. Using the FLIP feature, you may also view the artwork/descriptions from the backs of every item.  I also included several background images and logos for the various playlists. It definitely needs more work to reach its full potential but I am happy with how it's turned out so far.

I really hope you like the D&D Platform. Please let me know your thoughts on improving what I have already. If any of you awesome artists would like to contribute to this platform, by all means, please do so!

NOTE: This system has not been set up with any custom BigBox themes except the 2 that come included with BigBox. If you use a custom theme, you'll need to move the images to the proper folders.

I'm hoping, at some point, this D&D system can be part of the automatic downloads one receives when setting up a new platform.

Please let me know if you encounter any issues with the release. Enjoy!

 

Edited by malarrya
Version Update/Change Log

What's New in Version 2.0.0   See changelog

Released

 

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dsnyd22

dsnyd22 5

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

Awesome job on this and extra props for taking the time to write out detailed instructions.  I was inundated at first but after 3 days was able to get 90% up and operational.  Its great having all these compiled in one place and i am still looking forward to tinkering with some of the old school D&D programs. 

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