Sharing the Spotlight: A Look at Foundry VTT’s Actor Export Module

Sharing the Spotlight: A Look at Foundry VTT's Actor Export Module

Fellow virtual adventurers and esteemed Game Masters! In the ever-expanding ecosystem of Foundry VTT modules, there are gems that simplify specific tasks and enhance collaboration within our virtual tabletops. Today, we're diving into one such module: Actor Export.

While seemingly straightforward, the Actor Export module addresses a fundamental need for many Foundry users: the ability to easily share and transfer actor data between different Foundry VTT worlds. Whether you're a content creator, a DM collaborating with others, or simply want to back up your meticulously crafted NPCs, this module can be a true timesaver.

The Core Functionality: What Does Actor Export Do?

At its heart, the Actor Export module allows you to select one or more actors within your Foundry VTT world and export their data into a JSON file. This file contains all the information associated with the actor, including:

• Basic Information: Name, type (PC, NPC, Vehicle, etc.), and ownership.
• Attributes and Abilities: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma (and their associated modifiers and saving throws).
• Skills: All the character's trained skills and their proficiency bonuses.
• Hit Points and Armor Class: Current and maximum HP, temporary HP, and AC calculations.
• Proficiencies: Weapon, armor, and tool proficiencies.
• Equipment and Inventory: The items a character is carrying, including quantities and properties.
• Spells and Spellcasting: Spell slots, prepared spells, spellcasting ability, and spell lists.
• Feats and Features: Any special abilities, feats, or class features the actor possesses.
• Biography and Notes: Background information and any private notes associated with the actor.
• Token Configuration: Basic token settings like display name, disposition, and vision.
• Flags and Module Data: Information stored by other modules that is specific to the actor.

Essentially, it packages up the entire digital representation of your actor into a portable file.

Why is Actor Export So Useful?

The benefits of having an Actor Export module are numerous and cater to various user needs:

• Collaboration and Sharing: Imagine a group of DMs working on a shared campaign setting. With Actor Export, one DM can create a library of common NPCs and then easily share their JSON files with the others, who can then import them directly into their own worlds.
• Content Creation and Distribution: For creators of adventures, modules, or even just collections of NPCs, this module provides a simple way to distribute their work to the wider Foundry VTT community.
• World Migration and Backups: If you're moving your game to a new Foundry VTT instance or simply want to create backups of your important characters and NPCs, exporting them as JSON files provides a reliable method.
• Streamlining Development: Developers of other modules might find Actor Export useful for creating test actors or sharing example data.
• Personal Libraries: DMs can build their own personal libraries of frequently used NPCs, monsters, or even player character templates, ready to be imported into any campaign.

How Does it Work?

The process of using Actor Export is typically quite straightforward:

1. Installation: Install the module through the “Add-on Modules” section in your Foundry VTT setup.
2. Enabling: Enable the module for the specific world you want to use it in.
3. Selection: In your Actors tab, select the actor(s) you wish to export.
4. Export Action: Look for an “Export” button or a similar option provided by the module (often found in the context menu when right-clicking on the selected actors or as a button at the top of the Actors directory).
5. File Generation: The module will generate a JSON file containing the selected actor data, which you can then save to your local machine.

Importing Actors:

The counterpart to exporting is, of course, importing. While the Actor Export module itself might not always include the import functionality (some modules focus solely on export), there are often other modules or built-in Foundry features that allow you to import JSON files containing actor data. Look for “Import Actor” options within the Actors tab or explore other modules designed for data import.

Potential Considerations:

• Module Dependencies: If an actor's data relies heavily on specific information from other modules (e.g., custom items or effects), importing that actor into a world without those modules might result in some data loss or unexpected behavior. It's good practice to communicate any module dependencies when sharing exported actors.
• Foundry VTT Version Compatibility: As with any module, ensure that the Actor Export module you're using is compatible with your current version of Foundry VTT.
• Data Integrity: While JSON is a robust format, it's always a good idea to double-check the imported actor to ensure all the data has been transferred correctly.

In Conclusion:

The Actor Export module for Foundry VTT, while perhaps not the flashiest tool in your arsenal, is an incredibly practical and efficient solution for sharing, backing up, and transferring actor data. Its simplicity belies its power in facilitating collaboration, streamlining content creation, and ensuring the longevity of your meticulously crafted characters and NPCs. If you've ever wished for an easier way to move actors between worlds or share your creations, this module is definitely worth exploring. It's a testament to the flexibility and user-driven innovation that makes the Foundry VTT ecosystem so vibrant.