BattleScribe 1.13.15 Released on Desktop!

Just a quick release to fix a couple of issues. I'm just adding a thing or two to the Android version and I'll have that out in the next few days, before turning to iOS.

Release Notes:

• Fixed incorrect error messages when creating lists that use percentage min/max limits for categories or forces.
• Fixed points totals not calculating correctly for modified entries that are part of an entry group.
• (Pro) Fixed crash when loading a favourite where the entry does not exist any more.
• Fixed crash when removing modifiers/conditions in Catalogue Editor
• Fixed tree items not highlighting when clicked in Catalogue Editor
• (Pro) Custom roster descriptions/notes are now a Pro feature, in line with customized selection names/descriptions.

BattleScribe 1.13.13 Available On iOS!

BattleScribe 1.13.13 has just been approved by Apple and should now be available in the iTunes app store - see the last post (below) for the change list.

Merry Christmas!

BattleScribe 1.13.13 Released!

And here we are with the last release of the 2013! I bring you... Favourites!

Pro users can now save units as a favourite, and re-select it quickly in future rosters. This saves you re-creating that complicated Imperial Guard platoon every time you make a list. If you're using Dropbox, your favourites are synced between your devices/computers, so you have access to your favourites at any time.

The update is now available on Desktop and Android. The iOS version has been submitted to Apple and is awaiting approval - it should become available in the next few days.

Enjoy!

Desktop

• (Pro) Add units as favourites and quickly re-select them in future rosters.
• (Pro) Favourites are synced between devices/computers if you're using Dropbox.
• Performance improvements when loading/creating a roster, updating data or uploading to/downloading from Dropbox.
• Category percentage limits are now validated taking into account the force type's percentage limits.
• Fixed multiple alert dialogs when your roster is edited multiple times outside of the app when using Dropbox.
• Fixed issues with sorting of the roster selections tree.

Android

• (Pro) Add units as favourites and quickly re-select them in future rosters. Long-click a unit to add it as a favourite.
• (Pro) Favourites are synced between devices/computers if you're using Dropbox.
• (Pro) Remove a favourite by long-clicking it.
• UI improvements to better show a model/unit's subselections.
• Performance improvements when loading/creating a roster, updating data or uploading to/downloading from Dropbox.
• Category percentage limits are now validated taking into account the force type's percentage limits.
• Fixed bug where repository URLs could be lost when updating data or linking with Dropbox.
• Fixed multiple alert dialogs when your roster is edited multiple times outside of the app when using Dropbox.
• Fixed bug where files changed in Dropbox weren't re-loaded properly in some cases.
• (Pro) Fixed custom names/descriptions not saving in some cases.

iOS (Coming Soon)

• (Pro) Add units as a favourites and quickly re-select them in future rosters. Long-click a unit to add it as a favourite.
• (Pro) Favourites are synced between devices/computers if you're using Dropbox.
• (Pro) Remove a favourite by long-clicking it.
• UI improvements to better show a model/unit's subselections.
• Category percentage limits are now validated taking into account the force type's percentage limits.

BattleScribe 1.13.12 For iOS Released!

This release brings the recent updates to the Android and desktop versions to iOS. Yes - that means Dropbox! So now Dropbox is integrated across all platforms, your rosters and data can follow you no matter what devices you have. Wrote up your list on a PC? Well it's already available on your iPhone when you get to the tournament.

Release Notes

• Dropbox integration! Share your data files and rosters between your mobile devices and computers. You can link to your Dropbox account from the menu in Manage Data. 
• Reduced amount of data file checking that's done (less loading dialogs!). 
• Data file caching added to speed up file loading/updating and Dropbox uploading/downloading 
• Added button on About screen to show the "What's New" popup. 
• Mostly removed nasty-looking custom dialog boxes and loading screens. 
• Import data files from other apps or shared on a website by clicking on them. 
• If BattleScribe finds a broken/corrupted data file or roster, it will backup and delete it, preventing crashes. 
• Improved error handling and stability. 
• Bug fixes.

BattleScribe Beta For iOS Available

[Update: Betas for version 1.13.13 on Android are now available through the Play store. You just need to be a member of the BattleScribe Beta Google+ community to get access to them - pro and free versions are available depending on whether you own the pro version]

Betas on iOS [beta is now over]

As of today, BattleScribe is set up with TestFlight so we can run beta tests of new versions on iOS. You'll get early access to new features and be able to give feedback and report any bugs you find before the release of the final version in the Appstore. You also might become the victim of nasty bugs or other problems in the betas, so only the brave need apply! TestFlight is only for iOS beta testing - Android and desktop betas will be made available through other channels.

We have set up a BattleScribe Beta Google+ community to run the beta testing from. This is where new versions will be announced and will provide a place to give feedback and report bugs. Please sign up to the community if you want to help out with beta testing.

Note: The beta is for the free version only at the moment. You can install the beta alongside the pro version however, so no need to uninstall anything.

How It Works

• Join the BattleScribe Beta Google+ community
• Sign up to the BattleScribe iOS Beta on TestFlight from your iOS device
• You'll be asked to connect your device to TestFlight so we can approve you as a tester
• Wait for us to approve your device
• You'll receive an email notifying you when a new beta version is available for download
• Install the app from the email notification or via the TestFlight website.
• Tell us what's broken
• More details: Getting Started as a Tester

BattleScribe 1.13.11 Released!

This release is mostly just little tweaks and fixes to the last release, for desktop and Android. So I'll just jump right in with the release notes:

Desktop

• Fixed speed of scrolling in right-hand pane in Roster Editor.
• If BattleScribe finds a broken/corrupted data file or roster, it will delete it, preventing crashes.
• When saving catalogue / game system files, the default format is now the zipped catz/gstz format - these are better for sharing on websites for mobile users.
• When clicking tree items in Catalogue Editor / Game System Editor, an appropriate field is highlighted for typing in the right-hand pane. This should make them a little nicer to use.

Android

• Added button on About screen to show the "What's New" popup.
• Reduced amount of data file checking that's done (less loading dialogs!).
• If BattleScribe finds a broken/corrupted data file or roster, it will delete it, preventing crashes.
• Fixed opening/importing individual rosters/data files from external apps.
• Updated help to cover a case where some browsers don't pass repository links to BattleScribe correctly.
• Fixed data file sharing when using Dropbox.
• Fixed checking for existing rosters when creating a new roster (or renaming/duplicating an existing one) when using Dropbox.
• Fixed crash loading rosters with multiple forces when using Dropbox.

In other news, I'm in the middle of bringing Dropbox integration and all the other fixes/tweeks to iOS for you iPhone and iPod users out there. Sorry you're not up to date with all the new stuff yet, but on the bright side, the Android releases have helped me identify pitfalls and potential issues I can avoid for the iOS release :)

BattleScribe 1.13.10 Released!

Do you use Dropbox? Well you're gonna love this one :)

BattleScribe now supports Dropbox file synchronization on desktop and Android. This means that your computer and Android devices can share the same data files and rosters - changes to your rosters or data files will be automatically synced across all the computers and Android devices that you have. Your latest rosters will be with you wherever you go! It'll even sync your list of repositories :)

I've already begun to implement this for iOS too, so it won't be long before you can sync to your iPhone or iPad as well.

Here's the full change list:

Desktop

• You will be notified if a roster/data file you're working with is changed (e.g. by Dropbox syncing in the background) and you can reload your work with the latest file version.
• Data files are no longer stored in the application's install directory. Files are now stored in <User Home>/BattleScribe by default (especially good for Linux and OSX users).
• You can change the location your data files are stored in via Manage Data (so you can store your files in Dropbox, or wherever else you want)
• Fixed data indexer problems when creating an "in place" repository
• Downloading of ads no longer hangs BattleScribe
• Local computer settings stored separately per computer, so things like default save locations are distinct per machine.

Android

• Link BattleScribe to Dropbox from the menu in Manage Data
• Notification if your roster is changed outside of BattleScribe (e.g. due to Dropbox syncing in the background) so you can reload the latest version of the roster
• Fixed crash on some handsets when clicking the "back" button
• Fixed crash removing a force in some cases
• Fixed crash when opening a roster and one of the catalogues it needs can't be found

Both Platforms

• Fixed roster points not adding up after removing a force
• Correct number of selections now shown (was wrong in some circumstances)
• Fixed incorrect validation of min/max in roster
• Fixed crash when adding a selection where a sibling has a collective selection (e.g. adding a new Nob when existing Nobz already have a warbike)
• Several more crash/bug fixes

BattleScribe 1.13.07 Released!

Update 2: Version 1.13.07 is now available on iOS, fixing the points calculation bug. Thankfully Apple approved my request for an expedited review, so it's out much sooner than expected! Praise the God Emperor.

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Update: Version 1.13.07 has just been released which resolves a couple of bugs in yesterday's update. It is available now on Android and desktop. I've submitted the fix to Apple, but we need to wait for them to approve it - which could be up to a week...

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It's that time again: A new version of BattleScribe for Android, iOS and desktop. This version includes performance improvements, much more reliable roster file sharing and the ability to open and view a roster even if you don't have the right data files to be able to edit it.

Important Note: This version introduces a new file extension for compressed data files (.rosz/.catz/.gstz replaces .ros.zip/.cat.zip/.gst.zip). This means that older versions of BattleScribe will not recognize compressed data files or repositories created with version 1.13.06 and above. It is highly recommended that you update BattleScribe on all your computers and devices to ensure they are compatible with one another. Version 1.13.06 can still handle old-style files with no problem however.

A more detailed explanation for this is after the release notes, and includes some important information for those who host data file repositories.

Without further ado, here's the release notes for each platform:

Android

• Much improved roster sharing, including sending as a BattleScribe roster file (Menu -> Share Roster) 
• Open a roster file just by clicking it (e.g. a roster file sent to you as an email attachment or hosted on a website) 
• Open and view a roster, even if you don't have the required data files 
• Add and remove forces from your roster while you're editing it (e.g. allied detachments) 
• (Pro) Add custom unit/model names and descriptions 
• Import individual data files or whole repositories by clicking on them (e.g. data files sent to you as email attachments) 
• Improved "Getting Started" guide 
• Performance improvements when navigating a roster and adding/removing selections 
• Performance no longer degrades as your list gets bigger 
• (Free) Improved ad rotation to save on data usage and battery life 
• Small view roster improvements 
• Engine improvements to handle new data file features 
• BattleScribe no longer "hijacks" .zip file downloads
• Bug fixes 

iOS
Note: The ability to add and remove forces as you build your roster, and customization of unit names and descriptions for pro users is the very next thing I'll be working on for iOS. This was held back as I wanted to release support for the new file extensions on all platforms as quickly as possible.

• Email your roster as a BattleScribe roster file, an HTML file, or as plain text (Menu -> Share Roster)
• Open roster files sent to you by email or shared on a website (just click the email attachment or link)
• You can now open and view a roster, even if you don't have the required data files
• Improved "Getting Started" guide
• Import individual data files or whole repositories by clicking on them (e.g. data files sent to you as email attachments) 
• Small view roster improvements
• Performance improvements when navigating a roster and adding/removing selections
• Performance no longer degrades as your list gets bigger
• (Free) Improved ad rotation to save on data usage and battery life
• Engine improvements to handle new data file features
• Bug fixes

Desktop

• Open and view a roster, even if you don't have the required data files
• New compressed roster and data file extensions (.rosz, .catz, .gstz)
• Data Indexer now has an option to create repositories using either the new or old style file extensions (for compatibility with older versions of BattleScribe)
• Saving rosters as ".rosz" is now default (for compatibility with the mobile versions)
• Editor right-click menus contain options to add items
• New rules and profiles added to a catalogue have their names set to that of their parent entry
• Performance improvements while editing a roster
• Bug fixes

Data File Extension Change
The reason this was changed is due to sharing on Android. The uncompressed .ros/.cat/.gst files are no good for sharing as they are recognized as text files and displayed, rather than being passed to the BattleScribe app. The old style compressed .ros.zip/.cat.zip/.gst.zip files got over this problem, but the "double barreled" file extension is not handled very well by Android, and caused some weird behavior (for example BattleScribe was "hijacking" plain .zip files).

Changing the file extensions has got around all these problems, and now sharing is working reliably between Android and iOS devices, which is great. You can now even import individual data files from a URL or email attachment.

For repository hosts, I have added an option to Data Indexer to create repositories using the old style file extensions. This allows your repository to be readable by older versions of BattleScribe. It is recommended that you create your repositories using old style file extensions for the time being. If you change to the new style of file extension, you should make sure you clearly notify your users that they need BattleScribe version 1.13.06 or higher to access your repository.

PayPal Now Accepted In Store, £0.99 Sale Back On!

The store is now upgraded to accept PayPal as a payment option for desktop license keys. Since it's taken a while to get this sorted out, I'm going to extend the £0.99 sale for a week so that those who wanted to use PayPal have a chance to get in on the cheap keys. The price will go back to £4.99 at midnight BST on 21st July.

Enjoy!

Get BattleScribe Pro From The Store

BattleScribe 1.13.05 Released, Store Open!

The new version is finally here, with the main addition being the ability to add and remove forces to/from your roster as you create it, which was badly needed. There are also some additional minor changes and a big pile of bug fixes.

The other big thing is that BattleScribe has now moved to a free/pro model, where the free version is supported by advertising and the pro version has some additional features. You can now purchase a pro license key from the shiny new store and for the first month it will only cost you £0.99 - get 'em while they're hot! For more details on the advertising, take a look at the previous blog post.

Here's what's in the release:

• Pro: Added a dice statistics tool much like on mobile.
• Ability to add or remove a force from an existing list.
• Force Types can now have min/max points/selections/percentage. This is validated on a per-force type basis.
• Output files are now saved with the XML formatted and indented by 2 spaces. Great for those using version control for their data repositories.
• You can now import a downloaded .bsi index file from the Manage Data screen.
• Small improvement to View Roster output where if a rule's name is the same as the parent selection's, it will output a '*' instead of the full rule name.
• Catalogue-level rules are now always outputted when viewing a roster, even if they have no description.
• Added validation to prevent circular references in catalogue file shared items - this would cause Roster Editor to crash when loading the file.
• Fixed crash when opening rosters with multiple forces.
• Various bug fixes around shared items and modifiers
• Fixed bug where min/max in roster wasn't working for shared entries.
• Probably some other minor bug fixes I don't remember...

BattleScribe Pro For Desktop Coming Soon

That's right, BattleScribe on desktop is moving to a free/pro model, much like the mobile versions. This means that the free version is going to be supported by advertising/sponsorship, and there will be the option to buy a "pro" licence key to remove the advertising and gain additional features.

Don't panic! This post will hopefully explain the details and answer any questions. Of course if you have any additional questions or concerns, let me know in the comments (or Facebook / Google+ / Twitter / the forum / etc).

• Why? Developing BattleScribe takes a massive amount of time and effort, yet there is still a huge amount left to do. Going this route will help a lot towards letting me developing BattleScribe full-time (I have a day job too, unfortunately), meaning I can really put in the time to realize it's potential. Basically, I will be able to introduce more features, faster.
• What ads? The promotions will all be for awesome wargaming products and services, curated by myself (I will not be using a third party ad service, so no "click the monkey to win an iPad" crap). I really hope to make the ads useful and interesting so you will actually find something cool you didn't know about before.
• Are you going to break the free version? Absolutely not. The free version is still going to a fully featured army list editor, with no restrictions on your army, points etc. The free version is not going to be turned into a "demo". Any new features that I consider "core" to the army list builder will appear in the free version at the same time as the pro version. The one feature I have moved to the pro version is the ability to give units custom names and background information.
• So what do I get in the pro version then? The promotional banner ads and the affiliate button will be removed (though they can be turned back on from the options menu). There will also be additional, non-essential features that are cool or just nice to have. To start with, I've added the dice statistics tool that's available in the pro mobile versions, but there is more to come (e.g. the ability to save "favorite" units and re-use them in multiple lists).
• What's it gonna cost? For the first month, as a thank you to everyone who's supported BattleScribe over the years, I'll be selling license keys for £0.99. This gives you all a chance to jump on the pro version for a nominal fee. After that I'll be putting the price to up £4.99. Oh, and that's a one-time fee, not a yearly subscription...

Here's a screenshot

I hope that answers most of the questions you have, but as I said, please do let me know if you have any other concerns. I want to try and be as open and honest about this as I can. I've also put up the latest pre-release in the forum which includes the advertising so you can take a look (you can't buy a pro license just yet though).

Finally, if you have your own wargaming company / product / service that you wish to promote via BattleScribe, please do drop me an email. I'll be running ads for free for the first few months, so get in there while you can!

BattleScribe 1.13.04 Available on iOS!

This latest version contains some major (and long time coming) bug fixes and brings the iOS version into line with what's currently available on Android and the desktop. There's also some user interface improvements and support for the iPhone 5's bigger screen, giving you a bit more room when editing your roster.

Looking a little nicer

You'll also be glad to hear that I've finally nailed the "random crashing" issue that has been plaguing the free version on iOS for some time. It was a tough bug to track down, but it's finally been squashed - rejoice! This has been a real frustration for many users and has contributed to some (deserved) poor ratings on iTunes. If you're pleased with the fix, I'd love to see your feedback with an iTunes review - hopefully BattleScribe is now worthy of a higher rating. If you previously gave up on it due to the crashes, perhaps now is time to give it another try...

If you experience any other crashing issues please do let me know via the website and I'll get right on it.

Here's the full change list:

• Fixed "random crash" issue that was causing a lot of people frustration. Hooray!
• User interface updated to provide more space when editing your roster.
• Added support for the larger screen on the iPhone 5.
• Relevant book and page references included when viewing/printing a roster (as long as the data files include this information).
• Data file author name, contact details and website for your current files can be seen in the About box (as long as the data files include this information).
• Using a link to a ".bsr" repository file as a repository URL will be handled correctly - the data is imported from the file and any URLs it includes will be added to your list.
• Clicking a link to a repository will allow you to open it in BattleScribe and set it up automatically for you (as long as it's a repository that's created with v1.13.04).
• Added a "What's New" popup to keep you up to date with changes/new features - shown each time BattleScribe updates.
• Added occasional (monthly) prompt to remind you to check for new data files.
• Other bug fixes.

On The Radio Again (and other news)

After being stricken by Father Nurgle's blessing and then indulging in huge amounts of food and whisky over the festive season, I fell into a state of hibernation (read: laziness) for a while there. But never fear! Myself and BattleScribe are still alive! Here's some news.

First up, you have another chance to listen to my drivel via your audio-holes. The fine folks over at Noobhammer Radio grabbed me for a quick interview which is up on their site now. I had an awesome time (though I suspect they regret the entire ordeal) and I highly recommend giving them a listen - along with the Of Dice And Men podcast they also produce. A word of warning though: podcast-induced laughter will get you some strange looks in public, and plays merry hell with your brushstrokes...

Here's a link to the episode, and my hearty thanks to Noobhammer's Nate and Jason for having me on!

In other news, I've finally gotten around to finishing off version 1.13.04 for iDevices and have submitted it to Apple. With luck it'll be available sometime next week. Other than my laziness holding me up, I also wanted to get a couple of extra bits and pieces fixed, so it's taken a little longer than usual to get it finished. Here's the major bits that'll be in the release (I'll post full release notes when it becomes available).

• Fixed the "random crash" issue that's been plaguing it for a while - this bug has taken some time to hunt down, but I think I've finally resolved it.
• Support for the iPhone 5's  bigger screen.
• Some layout improvements to provide more space when editing your roster.
• The same stuff included in the v1.13.04 release for Android and desktop (see previous post).

Finally, I'm working on catching up with emails and forum posts at the moment. I think I've responded to pretty much all of them now, but if you're still waiting for a response please do contact me - you can use the "Send Email" link that's now on the website.

Happy gaming, and a belated happy new year :)