[PeeWee]

Hi,

I've been spending time in the BGII forum and decided to check out the other rpg areas. In coming here, I've read stuff at the DC home site as well as look over information briefly at the IW site along with skimming threads here.

I'm impressed with the great work that's been going on right under my nose. I haven't downloaded the DC program since it's beyond my general understanding....for now. I do have a few questions since I couldn't find much information - I've spent well over an hour looking/reading over "stuff" pertaining to the game.

My first questions: Is there a FAQ somewhere covering DC? I didn't find one but maybe am overlooking the obvious. If there isn't one, is there one going to be made some time soon? I'm interested to learn more about this program - it's history, function, the simple starters, and anything else normally included in FAQ's.

My history: I've played a handful of cardboard games about 12 years ago. I have played old console games and I have to mention that the renderings of Dan from the Eye of the Beholder are great pieces. Brings back major nostalgia. I've played many console rpgs as well as others ranging from : Eye of the Beholder, Ultima, Betrayal at Krondor, Wake of the Ravager(one of my personal favorites), EverQuest, Zelda, Willow, and many others - some like Zelda are considered to me to be semi- adventure/rpg'ish.( Now I'm finally having the late chance of playing BGII)

I am not familiar with FRUA but from playing some of the games mentioned above I should have a general idea of how it works. Maybe I should have downloaded and tried the program out to have more questions and to find answers there, but I'd rather know ahead of time what to expect so I won't "screw" up too much of the program's functions.

Second question: Once I run the program, is there a defaults settings that allows me to clear up or reset the program to what it was in case I made major "noobie" mistakes?

Also, is downloading and just jumping into using the program the best way for me to learn? I don't know if the editor is set up in a map overlay view such as showing boxed sections like a grid. Is it a simple program where I can freely set triggers, events, conditions, items, npcs, and the likes into one of the grid areas?

I'm sure if I downloaded the program and ran it I wouldn't be asking this, but then I probably would be asking a whole new set of questions which could be answered in a FAQ if there is one.

Also, is there any information given on usage of sprites or any animated npcs? Take for example, I've remembered the drow sections of the Eye of the Beholder and there I remember coming across drow who moved at a certain speed. You would have one in the foreground and normally two behind him in the background. In attacking, there is mild animation. Does DC allow this kind of capability?

And what of setting AI for npcs? Take those two drow in the background for this example. Would they be allowed -with following 2nd edition rules-- to use ranged weapons upon my party through this program? Do I have to set it up for this to happen and would it be complicated for a beginner to do so?

Any feedback is welcomed and explaining it as if you were looking at this thru the eyes of of a "newbie" such as myself would be even more appreciated. Even relating it to the games mentioned with similarities above would make my undertanding a bit simpler.

I too would like to try my hand at creating a "3d" rpg environment and any before-hand knowledge would make that fun task easier provided DC has the capabilities.

One more thing, I read the foody thread where he was wanting to upload 80megs for others to have access to his game design. In my opinion, 80megs in one zip is still HUGE. Will there be ways to condense that? Perhaps break it down into smaller, friendlier downloadable zips?

Thanks for reading, I know it's long winded. And, great work.