Useful Software

[BigPete]

Going to archive useful software recommendations here, because I don't know how many times I need to do something, but can't remember what the good application was for that task.

please add your own.

[BigPete]

https://bancika.github.io/diy-layout-creator/

This is a good layout/schematic tool.

It's Java so Win/Linux/Mac, but also, it's... Java

At least it's not another website wrapped in electron I guess.

[BigPete]

https://www.aseprite.org/

The best sprite/pixel art software. Available on Steam and Itch.io.

$20 Win/Mac/Linux

[BigPete]

https://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp

Campaign Cartographer 3+

This is a really cool map making software. Good for TTRPGs or just fuckin' around with.

$44.95 Win only, but works in WINE.

Not sure how I got this, because I sure as fuck didn't pay $45 for it. Not that i don't think it's worth it, but just because I don't have that kind of cash to spend on random stuff.

[Digital Prophet]

humble bundle does cheap Campaign Cartographer bundles all the time so that's probably where you got it.

Affinity Studio is now completely free and its awesome. It's owned by Canva now which is far less awesome, but if you don't want to use canva's bullshit AI nonsense you can literally turn it off in affinity studio and remove it from the interface and never look at it again and now you have a completely free, industry professional, layout/design/art program. It takes the place of three different adobe products and that is awesome because fuck adobe. Currently windows/MAC only, but they have been heavily talking about making a linux version, so... soon? maybe?

Focus Writer is a freeware writing program. It's main "selling" point is that its a distraction free writing application, which means you can set it up with a cool background that gives you writing vibes and then it makes the rest of your computer disappear when you full screen it. Has all the standard word processor things, spellcheck, text attribute type things, etc. I don't think it has tables, but its really meant for like, writing novels and such. Available for windows, linux, and has a source code download available also. It's really, really good, and tiny, and free.

Media Player Classic - Black Edition (MPC-BE64) is media player from back when windows didn't suck shit, magically ported to modern systems and then shot up with every single video and audio codec known to man, like piracy steroids. You know how 7zip will uncompress basically anything? MPC-BE will play basically anything. I prefer it to VLC because I like its UI better, but they're functionally identical. It is, unfortunately, windows only, though it is available on github so maybe there are forks? I dunno.

Stacher 7 rips shit from youtube. Its a frontend for yt-dlp, and if you want to rip shit from youtube, then this is the best way to do it. It is available for windows, both flavors of mac, and linux.

[BigPete]

humble bundle does cheap Campaign Cartographer bundles all the time so that's probably where you got it.

Yeah, that sounds right.

[Jim Rockford]

Reaper Audio Workstation (Windows/Mac/Linux) is a digital audio workstation (DAW) from the original creators of Winamp, notable because they did a lot in figuring out mp3 compression, so they know digital audio. The design is also what I'd call "Winamp, but for professionals" which is just some extra fun (yes - they do have skins!)

The app itself can be a basic no-frills multi-channel mixer, or a full composition suite with as many tracks as your machine can handle. The interface is very customizable so even though there is about 1000 tools in it, you can bring the ones you use the most to the fore. It comes with a set of basic plugins out of the box - tone generator, basic synth, wavetable synth, effects, eq, etc that are relatively good. It also compatible with any vst/vsti instruments I've thrown at it so far.

If you are already familiar with DAWs and recording audio, adapting to Reaper is pretty easy - especially if you are coming from ProTools or Cubase. If you are coming from Garage Band or something similar, Reaper might not be the best choice to start with unless you are ready to roll up your sleeves and learn about audio production - but you can say the same about any professional DAW really.

That said, they have TONS of support and resources available, including training videos, tutorials, and a 400+ page user guide. You won't need all of it, but if you need help, you will find it.

The main draw is the price. Reaper's Commercial License is $225 which is a steal compared to most DAWs, especially if they are locked into specific hardware (like ProTools) or are on some shitty subscription model. The "discounted" license for individuals is $60 which in the world of music production is essentially free. It's also priced like old-school software, so what you pay is flat for the version you purchased. You can buy the next version that comes out or stick with the one you bought, your license works forever for that version.

VSCodium (Windows/Mac/Linux) is VSCode, one of the best modern IDEs, but without most the shit that makes it suck - mainly M$ itself. Free (as in freedom) and free of cost.

Heroic Games Launcher (Windows/Mac/Linux) is another game launcher - because you want another one of those! It's lets you combine and manage your GOG, Epic, and Amazon libraries. For those that use Proton, it will also allow you to manage your Proton versions and will automatically set up your games properly for running with Proton. Also has a handy "Add to steam" button which adds a game shortcut to your steam library.

If you run the game through Steam, Heroic quietly starts up in the background so it can start your game and then closes so it feels way less intrusive than publisher made game launchers. It's my go-to for managing my GOG library. Fuck Epic and Amazon, but they are there if you need them. Free and open source.

[Jim Rockford]

https://www.profantasy.com/products/cc3.asp
Campaign Cartographer 3+

CC3 works pretty well in WINE. It's a great tool in the toolbox of game/world creation I just wish I had the time....

[Digital Prophet]

Here's some more:

Megasploot made Wonderdraft and Dungeondraft, which are two (reasonably priced) map programs that I greatly prefer over CAD (sorry CC3). More like a fractal map generator mixed with the starcraft map editor.

[MEDIA=youtube]6RqEuUZDAIQ[/MEDIA]
[MEDIA=youtube]LYTHVRpihKg[/MEDIA]

Both are weirdly using humblebundle as their store front (?) and are $30.00 and $20.00. Both have installers for windows, mac, and linux.

Want to write screenplays, but you don't want to shell out 200.00+ for Final Draft, or pay a monthly subscription fee for every other goddamn screenwriting application? Then you can get FadeIn which sells for a 1 time price of 80.00. In fact, they make it a point to emphasize that because of how shitty every other application is as far as pricing goes. They are also making a big dent in the industry reliance on Final Draft, which until now has been kind of the adobe of screenwriting. FadeIn is available for Windows, Mac, and LInux.

[Jim Rockford]

Megasploot made Wonderdraft and Dungeondraft, which are two (reasonably priced) map programs that I greatly prefer over CAD (sorry CC3). More like a fractal map generator mixed with the starcraft map editor.

I have both and prefer them as well to CC3 for maps that I intend to present to the party or use for combat - they make prettier maps quicker. I very much like the fine control I can get with CC3 and lets me dial into elevations and stuff so I can plan out the climate. Again - stuff I would love to do, just don't have the time.