VASSAL User's Guide

Introduction | Installation | Preferences | Environment | Getting Started | Setting Up a Game | Playing Tools | Playing by Email

Playing Tools

Various Playing Tools are available for VASSAL modules.  All are accessible either from the toolbar at the top of the VASSAL Controls window, or at the top of a Map window.  The Module designer may decide which tools to include in a module, so all tools may not be available in all modules.

Dice Buttons

A Dice Button can be set to roll any number of dice with any number of sides.  The result is reported along with the name of player who hit the the button, e.g.

***DR=1,3*** <rk>

VASSAL modules can be configured to usea third-party web interface to generate dice rolls instead of its built-in random number generator.  In addition to displaying the results in the chat window, the results of the roll may be sent by email to any addresses you specify.

Zoom in / Zoom out

The Zoom in / Zoom out buttons give you a scaled-down overview of the map window.

Overview Window

A map window may have a corresponding Overview window.  This window shows the entire map at a smaller scale, with a rectangle highlighting the currently-visible area in the map window's scrollable area.  Click anywhere on the overview window to center the main map window at that point.

Charts

VASSAL modules may include a window with charts (combat resolution tables, etc.)

Line-of-Sight Thread

A Line-of-Sight thread draws a colored line on the board as the player moves his mouse over a map window.  Counters on the map may disappear while the thread is being drawn. Left-click once to clear the thread and draw normally.

If enabled, the Preferences will contain an LOS tab where you may set the color of the thread.  The 'Snap thread to grid' preference option will only draw the thread to legal locations on the map (e.g. hex centers).

Notes Window

The Notes window allows you to retain text notes about the state of a game.  Public notes are visible to all players, while private notes are only visible to you.

Mark All Unmoved  

Certain counters in a module may be configured to show a marker after having been moved.  (If you have checked Mark Moved Units in the Preferences).  The Mark unmoved button at the top of a map window to delete the "Moved" notation of all counters on the map.

Save Map as GIF File  

This will save the image of the map and counters into a GIF file. It is the same as a screen capture except that the entire map need not be showing on your screen.


Save Map as Text  

This will write an ASCII file giving a location-by-location summary of the contents of the map. You will be prompted to choose whether or not to output the locations and content of your hidden and masked units.





Introduction | Installation | Preferences | Environment | Getting Started | Setting Up a Game | Playing Tools | Playing by Email