Playing Sound in MapTool via Syrinscape

One of the overlooked features of MapTool 1.5 is the introduction of RESTful functionality in the MapTool scripting language – MTScript. For the non-programmers, RESTful is a software architectural style that defines a set of constraints to be used for creating Web services. These take the form of an HTTP call, like when you put a web site URL into your web browser. The industry term for exposing a RESTful interface is called an Application Programming Interface or API.

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Multi-line Properties Editor

As part of the 1.5.0 release, MapTool included a popup window to allow for multiple-line editing of properties. Prior to this release, you would need to copy a long properties entry to another editor, make your changes, then copy it back. With 1.5, you can simply click into the properties field, then on the down arrow next to the property value…

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New Feature: Token VBL

Long time users of MapTool know the problem with doors, columns, statues, and Vision Blocking Layer (VBL). You want MapTool to block vision through these objects but you want the players to see them without their vision being blocked by VBL. Thanks to the RPTools craftsmen, you can now have your object and VBL too.

A new feature in MapTool 1.4.1.8 is Token VBL. It allows the GM to place VBL on an object yet still allow full visibility of that object to the players. What’s more, the VBL moves with the object so if a door swings open, the VBL moves with it. You’ve seen a preview of this capability in a previous post. In this article, we show you how to use this new feature.

Here is a drawing of a standard dungeon, with PCs exploring a corridor ending with doors.
TokenVBL1

Note that the doors of fully visible but completely blocking the sight of the PCs. This is a great improvement of the previous versions of MT which had the GM clearing VBL as the characters opened doors. Now all the GM does is rotate the door to reveal to the PCs what’s beyond the doors.

In the picture below, the hero cracks to the door open to see what’s inside. Note that the VBL associate with the door moves with the door as it swings open.

TokenVBL2

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