Love how a lot of these comments are talking about how ZunTzu is better, and here we are in 2021 and Vassal is still being used, while ZunTzu hasn't been updated since 2012. Thanks for these videos, they are crazy helpful!
I just wanted to thank you for these tutorials. I had tried a few times previously with other methods, but after using your series, I have just completed my second module. Thanks so much for the series.
Nice series of videos! I like this video's discussion of rounded corners. It would be great to see how to make ragged janky corners for people who like poorly punched counters.
does GIMP have "step" recording? That way as long as each edit to the image is going to be the same you just hit "go" and it'll do all the steps pretty much instantly.
I just want to thank you for this series. It's really helping me figure out the software. This must represents hours of going through the documentation, so again, thanks.
Fairly straightforward, but the corner clipping cracked me up. The TRAUMA of those horrific "nibs" on like the old SPI games' countersheets lives on! :-) Thanks, Joel. :-)
If the original images are in a pdf file, any alternative method I use is: - load file into Calibre (calibre-ebook.com/download_osx) - click on 'Convert Books' icon - change 'Output Format' from EPUB to ZIP in dropdown menu and click 'Okay' - when converted in righthand panel select "Path: Click to Open" - directory containing files should open in Finder - unpack the ZIP file and open resultant new directory - subsequent underlying directories should contain a number of JPG image files which can renamed as required Also check your /Applications/GIMP.app/Contents/Resources/share/gimp/2.0/scripts folder. You might find a GIMP script called round-corners.scm to automat corner rounding of images.
Also, quick comment -- PNG is better than JPG for one other reason...it uses lossless image compression. JPG uses the Fourier Transform, which can reduce image quality at discontinuities (such as areas with very rapid color change). This artifact has been improved in JPG-2000...but bottom line is, for images that are artificial (ie, not photos), PNG is better than JPEG because the edges are artificial, not gradual.
Thank you for this tutorial.. You've convinced me never to try and create a Vassal module! Seriously -- why not have a Vassal template for counters where you just drop your counter art into each box on the template, and then hit the "punch the counters" button that will turn each square into its own functional counter? I do graphic design for the wargames I publish and looking at this process, it would take me far longer to convert existing counter art into Vassal counters than it took me to design the original counters in the first place. Something seems wrong here.
Great tutorial series! I'll probably still need to go thru the Vassal documentation for some items not covered but your tutorial series gives a great foundation. BTW, what is a recommended resolution for scanning maps & counter sheets?
Watched the whole tutorial. Thanks for posting this. Question; where can I insert the game cover photo in the Vassal wizard setup as you're just about to start a game?
Thanks for making these Joel! I'm working my way through the whole series. Just heard an interview you did with the "Low Player Count" guys. Good stuff! :)
Click on the server button on the toolbar. New buttons will appear. Choose to connect to the server. Create a new game room or join an existing game room (if your opponent has already set up). Right-click on game in progress and choose to synchronize. See the help files at www.VASSALEngine.org for more.
Why does this feel incomplete?... I don't see how to add the images in, I know what you're trying to do, but to get the point across to people who are completely new to something? treat them like an idiot so you may start from scratch with them. I for instance have my graphics ready all planned out, etc... can you help me please? I watched the first 5 minutes of it, and it did not explain much of anything aside from acting like you've gotten that far on your own.
Without having to watch the entire 14 minute presentation, how exactly does one upload a map into Vassal? There appears to be no instruction anywhere within Vassal to do that.
Love how a lot of these comments are talking about how ZunTzu is better, and here we are in 2021 and Vassal is still being used, while ZunTzu hasn't been updated since 2012. Thanks for these videos, they are crazy helpful!
I just wanted to thank you for these tutorials. I had tried a few times previously with other methods, but after using your series, I have just completed my second module. Thanks so much for the series.
Nice series of videos! I like this video's discussion of rounded corners. It would be great to see how to make ragged janky corners for people who like poorly punched counters.
Nicely done. Very well explained. Need to watch more.
does GIMP have "step" recording? That way as long as each edit to the image is going to be the same you just hit "go" and it'll do all the steps pretty much instantly.
I just want to thank you for this series. It's really helping me figure out the software. This must represents hours of going through the documentation, so again, thanks.
Great job. Keep them coming.
Fairly straightforward, but the corner clipping cracked me up. The TRAUMA of those horrific "nibs" on like the old SPI games' countersheets lives on! :-)
Thanks, Joel. :-)
If the original images are in a pdf file, any alternative method I use is:
- load file into Calibre (calibre-ebook.com/download_osx)
- click on 'Convert Books' icon
- change 'Output Format' from EPUB to ZIP in dropdown menu and click 'Okay'
- when converted in righthand panel select "Path: Click to Open"
- directory containing files should open in Finder
- unpack the ZIP file and open resultant new directory
- subsequent underlying directories should contain a number of JPG image files which can renamed as required
Also check your /Applications/GIMP.app/Contents/Resources/share/gimp/2.0/scripts folder. You might find a GIMP script called round-corners.scm to automat corner rounding of images.
Also, quick comment -- PNG is better than JPG for one other reason...it uses lossless image compression. JPG uses the Fourier Transform, which can reduce image quality at discontinuities (such as areas with very rapid color change). This artifact has been improved in JPG-2000...but bottom line is, for images that are artificial (ie, not photos), PNG is better than JPEG because the edges are artificial, not gradual.
2:10 Ok, right off the bat, how did you get the .Jpeg into the GIMP program?
Super nice Joel!
Thank you very much, Joel!!! I really appreciate this tutorial!
Thank you for this tutorial.. You've convinced me never to try and create a Vassal module! Seriously -- why not have a Vassal template for counters where you just drop your counter art into each box on the template, and then hit the "punch the counters" button that will turn each square into its own functional counter? I do graphic design for the wargames I publish and looking at this process, it would take me far longer to convert existing counter art into Vassal counters than it took me to design the original counters in the first place. Something seems wrong here.
Thanks Joel! Good idea to use GIMP, free software for all of us.
Great tutorial series! I'll probably still need to go thru the Vassal documentation for some items not covered but your tutorial series gives a great foundation. BTW, what is a recommended resolution for scanning maps & counter sheets?
Watched the whole tutorial. Thanks for posting this. Question; where can I insert the game cover photo in the Vassal wizard setup as you're just about to start a game?
+WilliamBrothers Expand "Help Menu" folder; double-click on "About Module" You may then insert your image. Default is "splash.png"
Thanks for making these Joel! I'm working my way through the whole
series. Just heard an interview you did with the "Low Player Count"
guys. Good stuff! :)
ZunTzu makes it very easy to import counters. And everything about the user interface is better.
Hi, was wondering how I play my module online with other players. I cannot find this information anywhere. Thanks!
Click on the server button on the toolbar. New buttons will appear. Choose to connect to the server. Create a new game room or join an existing game room (if your opponent has already set up). Right-click on game in progress and choose to synchronize. See the help files at www.VASSALEngine.org for more.
I was wondering if you could help me with my module. I'm stuck on something
Best place to get hands-on help with module creation is to go to www.VASSALEngine.org and post in the forum there.
Why does this feel incomplete?... I don't see how to add the images in, I know what you're trying to do, but to get the point across to people who are completely new to something? treat them like an idiot so you may start from scratch with them.
I for instance have my graphics ready all planned out, etc... can you help me please?
I watched the first 5 minutes of it, and it did not explain much of anything aside from acting like you've gotten that far on your own.
I think I covered that material in video #2. The first video is pretty much on graphics prep work.
Joel Toppen you need to note to your public about copyrights! Artwork from certain games maybe copyrighted!
For example....
Without having to watch the entire 14 minute presentation, how exactly does one upload a map into Vassal? There appears to be no instruction anywhere within Vassal to do that.
Vassal needs to steal a few things from ZunTzu.
Your kitty is scary.