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Created:02-01-14 08:03 PM
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GroupWatch
Version: 1.0.1
by: Darrek [More]
GroupWatch
Intro

GroupWatch aims to add a more visual approach to unit frames. Each member's panel will turn red with aggro, and will show their health, power (mana/energy), multiple timerbars (to which spells can be bound and their buffs tracked), multiple buttons (to which spells can also be bound) and the heath of their target.

The GroupWatch WoW AddOn was originally designed for tanks, but was great for healers and useful to everyone. This GroupWatch RIFT AddOn is designed for healers, but may also be useful for tanks or anyone.

Current Features:
  • Lists a grid of group members
  • Shows Members' Health and Power
  • Up to 5 timer bars which can track buffs or debuffs
  • Up to 12 spell buttons can be shown, in a selectable amount of rows
  • Shows Members' Target's Health
  • Shows Damage Absorption
  • Frames turn red if the group member has aggro.
  • Frames fade out slightly when unit is out of line-of-site
  • Frames fade out greatly when unit is out of general range
  • Settings are specific to your role, and will change when you swap roles

Basic Usage

After installation, open up RIFT and type "/groupwatch". The configuration window will come up, all frames will display as if you are in a full raid. (this makes it easier to see your changes) The options window provides complete customization to how each frame looks, including the sizes of the frames and all of their components, as well as the number of timers and buttons.

The configuration window also provides some simple instructions on how to set up this AddOn. To quickly bind a spell, simply drag it from your spellbook onto either a timerbar or a button in the demo frame to the right of the options window. The dropped spell will be bound to left-click with no modifiers and targeted at the party member.

Operating this addon's features is as simple as clicking what you want on who you want. Click on a party member's name to target them, or their target to target it. Or you could just click one of the timers or buttons to cast a spell or use an item on the configured target. If you've forgotten which action you've bound, mouse over it's icon and check the tooltip.

While the configuration window is open, there will be a large blue box in the upper left of the grid. This handle will allow you to move the groupwatch frames by left-clicking and dragging. There will also be a small blue box for the pet frame that functions similarly. These handles will only appear while the configuration window is open, so you cannot move the frames during use.

Advanced Configuration

For more options on spell bindings, left-click or right-click on either a timerbar or a button in the demo frame to the right of the options window. A dialog will appear, which provides advanced options for the button you clicked. (if you left-clicked, it will allow you to modify spells bound to the left-click action, where if you right-clicked, you can bind spells to the right-click action)

Two options are available at the top of the set dialog. The "Edit Raw Macro" option allows one to bind a macro in place of spells and items. See the "Custom Macros" section for more information. The "Fade out when buffed" option is only available on buttons, and if checked will make the button fade out if the buff it's bound ability casts is already on the target. The ability will still be castable in this state.

The top drop-down box is the modifier; this will let you select which of the binding's modifiers to edit: none, shift, ctrl, or alt. Each modifier can have a different spell bound to it. Any changes you make in the area below this drop-down box will be specific to the selected modifier, and when you change modifiers the area below this slider will update to reflect the modifier currently being edited.

After a modifier is selected, the spell bound to it can be configured in the area below the slider. There will be a box, allowing the dropping of a spell from your spellbook or an item from your inventory. Right-clicking the box will remove the bound spell from it. Below that box, you may choose the desired target:
  • "unit": the group member that the frame belongs to.
  • "unit-target": the frame's group member's target.
  • "unit-target-target": the frame's group member's target's target.
  • "unit-pet": the frame's group member's pet.

Settings are autosaved, so when you are done, just click the "X" in the upper right.

Custom Macros and Fade-Out Options

If the advanced binding options are not enough, the set dialog allows you to select the "Edit Raw Macro" option. When selected, the current binings will be converted to a macro, which you can edit to your heart's content. Unchecking the box will revert back to the original spell bindings and return to the set interface.

Writing macros in GroupWatch required a small ammount of additional knowlege. In addition to the normal targets (@pet, @focus, etc.) there is @unit, which will target the unit belonging to whatever frame you click the macro in. To target the unit's target, append a t. (@unitt for the unit's target, @unittt for the unit's target's target)

The #show command holds great importance in GroupWatch macros. Using "#show spellname" will not only show the spell's tooltip, but will also show the spell's icon for buttons and track the spell's buffs for timerbars. The macro is autosaved, so just click the "X" in the upper right to apply your macro.

Whether using a macro or not, the fade-out drop down box allows buttons to fade out under special conitions:
  • "Fade Out: Never": The button does not fade out. (cooldowns will still show)
  • "When buffed": The button will fade out if a buff caused by the button's spell is on the unit.
  • "When cleansed": The button will fade out when the unit does not have a cleansable debuff on it.
  • "When unusable": the button will fade out when the ability is flagged as unusable.

When binding a cleansing ability to the left-click modifier:none slot, "When cleansed" will automatically be selected. This can be changed after the ability is bound if one desires. When unbound, the slot will revert to "Fade Out: Never". Examples of "Unusable" abilities include Break Free when not snared, or Harmonic Distortion with no charges.

Buff by name

The set dialog also includes a textfield that allows you to specify a buff to track by name. You may specify a buff in either the normal set mode or macro mode, and it is not dependent on the modifier or target. Using this option will track any buff, caused by you, your group members, or even enemies, as long as it's name matches the name you give here.

If you set this option on a timerbar, the timerbar will work as before, except instead of tracking the left-click modifier:none spell's buff, it will track the buff whoose name you give it. Giving a buff name only affect the visual timerbar aspect, and any spells bound to be cast on click will still cast as normal.

If you set this option on a button, the button's icon will become blank. The button's icon will reappear as the specified buff's icon when the buff appears on the unit, and will dissapear when the buff ends. Giving a buff name only affects the icon, and any spells bound to be cast on click will still cast as normal.

To unset this option and return to ability tracking, erase the text in this field and leave it blank. Needless to say, the "#show" command becomes useless when using this option. Also, both buffs and debuffs can be tracked this way.

Credits

I, Darrek, made this AddOn. It uses the LibSimpleWidgets and the SafesRaidManager library, which in turn uses LibUnitChange. This is a rework of my original AddOn for WoW of the same name. A few WoW AddOns deserve credit as my inspiration, notably TauntMaster (by trrecordings) and Rewatch (by Dezyne). I primarily made this AddOn in order to learn the differences between WoW and RIFT, but it is still a functional AddOn that some may find useful.
1.0.1
-fixed 'attempt to index field ''buttons''' bug
1.0.0
-Replaced "Fade out when buffed" with more options.
--"Fade Out: Never" the button will never fade out. (cooldowns will still show)
--"When buffed" acts as "Fade out when buffed" used to.
--"When cleansed" the button will fade out when the target does not have a cleansable debuff on it.
---(Cleansing abilities, when set, will automatically select "When cleansed" for you)
--"When unusable" the button will fade out when the ability is flagged as unusable.
---(think Break Free when not snared or Harmonic Distortion with no charges)
-Polish
--Buttons and timerbars will now glow when you hover the mouse over them.
--The set dialog now acts more like your ability bar, with highlights on mouse over.
--Also, the ability or item bound can now be picked up and removed from the set dialog.
-Fixed a bug where unchecking the "show raid frames" options doesn't immediatly hide the raid frames.
-The performance warning should now appear a lot less (hopefully never)

0.9.5
-The pet frame is now available in-group.
-The pet frame is now movable on it's own, via a smaller blue anchor.
-Frames no longer show/hide when the blue anchor is right-clicked.
-Added 4 new checkboxes to options:
--While in a group: Show raid frames, Show pet frame
--While NOT in a group: Show player frame, Show pet frame
-Colors or group members' names now match their class.
-A role icon now appears in the corner of each frame.
-Multiple small performance tweaks, especially when group information updates.
-A few minor bug fixes.

0.9.4
-Added a "Fade out when buffed" option to fade out buttons if the target already has the ability's buff
-Added a Buff Name field to the set dialog. If not blank:
--Buttons will have their icon dissapear, and reappear as the specified buff's icon when the buff is on the target.
--Timerbars will no longer track the left-click ability, and instead will track the specified buff on the target.
-Added a fourth option to the "Target" slier, "unit-pet" to target the unit's pet. For macros, "@unit.pet" can be used.
-Fixed some bugs
-FIXED PERFORMANCE WARNING ERROR

0.9.3
-Switched to LibSimpleWidgets for the Options and Set dialogs
-Added frames for the player and their pet when soloing. These can be enabled in the options dialog
-Added a "Edit Raw Macro" option to bind macros directly
-Added many layout options, including growth direction, priority, and grid layout
-Cleansing spells bound to buttons will now fade out when there is nothing to cleanse

0.9.2
-Fixed a but that caused "Incorrect security mode" error
-Buttons should now update almost immediately after swapping spec

0.9.1
-Fixed issue from last minute change to toc file
-Initial release
Optional Files (0)


Archived Files (6)
File Name
Version
Size
Author
Date
1.0.0
103kB
Darrek
03-19-14 06:01 PM
0.9.5
100kB
Darrek
03-05-14 11:18 AM
0.9.4
99kB
Darrek
02-28-14 02:07 PM
0.9.3
98kB
Darrek
02-23-14 07:41 PM
0.9.2
34kB
Darrek
02-08-14 04:59 PM
0.9.1r2
35kB
Darrek
02-01-14 09:38 PM


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Unread 02-03-14, 02:02 AM  
Yell

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Hiya, I can't get the set dialogue box to accept my changes - there is an x to close the box which cancels, but no accept button and the only way I can close it is using the x.
EDIT: Read that the x should autosave, it doesn't seem to for me as nothing is saved.

Otherwise interesting alternative to the existing offerings, I use mouseoverui macros so have no need for the buttons but it's handy to watch them fire off rather than having to keep an eye on cooldowns on the hotbar, plus for emergency spells, and the timer will be handy and more visually obvious than CBH or MHF but takes up extra space. Nice to have choices.
Cleansable debuff watcher would be handy too.

Are you likely to work on this, or is it as you stated simply so you can see the differences between wow & rift UI?
Last edited by Yell : 02-03-14 at 08:11 AM.
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Unread 02-03-14, 10:20 AM  
Darrek
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I'm trying to reproduce this issue but having no luck. What exactly is not saving? Are you perhaps right-clicking? To bind to a spell to left-click you left-click, and to bind a spell to right-click you right-click. The icon and tooltips for the buttons represent the left-click spell bound to no modifier.

Also be aware that each modifier exists side-by-side, so if you edit the "shift" modifier it has no effect on the "Modifier: none" spell. Settings are auto-saved as you change them (the settings are saved when you drag a spell into the set dialog, for example) so hitting the "x" button does nothing but close the window.

Hmm perhaps I should remove the modifier part, since there are multiple buttons, maybe make it just left-click and right-click. It seems to be making things overly complicated.

As to your final question, I'm probably going to be using this actively in RIFT, so I'll probably be releasing updates and fixes. I started it as a project to learn the RIFT addon system, but that doesn't mean I won't be using and updating it.
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Unread 02-04-14, 03:12 AM  
Yell

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Hmm, could well be user error, will have a good look again tonight especially if you're likely to be maintaining it
Would it be easy to have the frames show solo & pet?
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Unread 02-08-14, 05:02 PM  
Darrek
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yell
Hmm, could well be user error, will have a good look again tonight especially if you're likely to be maintaining it
Would it be easy to have the frames show solo & pet?
Sorry, life decided to throw a bunch of fastballs at me, so I've been unable to do much in RIFT.
It shouldn't be difficult to make 2 more frames that only show when solo, I'll look into it when I have time.
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Unread 02-13-14, 08:25 PM  
Zuul

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Please keep modifier keys

I hope you won't disable the modifier keys for this addon. I've just found it and am excited to give it a try. One of the things I really like is the modifier key possibility as it would really allow for a lot of spells to be bound to only a few buttons.

Screen space is valuable so having fewer buttons do more is good.

More comments once I give this a try.
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Unread 02-13-14, 09:32 PM  
Zuul

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suggestions

I'd love to have some more layout options. I suggest the following:

1) Different frames grid options. Currently 4x5 is the only layout. Is it possible to add 2x10, 10x2, 5x4, 1x20 and 20x1?

2) Grid growth direction options. Could the addon have the option to allow the grid to grow up, down, left or right as more party/raid members join?

These would allow the addon to work with a larger variety of UI layouts.

Also, is it possible to allow the addon to bind macros to the buttons in addition to spells?

Anyway, love the addon so far. Would there be any advantages/disadvantages to adding this to the Gadgets addon package?
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Unread 02-14-14, 12:45 PM  
Darrek
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Re: suggestions

Grid and growth options are actually already on my to-do list. My old WoW addon had those options as well.

As for binding macros, that is possible, but the API won't let me add drag-and-drop support for them, so you'd have to type the macro text directly into the set window. Also I would have to make an icon picker. It's not terribly difficult, just irritating.

As for the modifier keys, I had originally wanted to make the icons, tooltips, timers, cooldowns, etc. change when you hold down a modifier key, but the API doesn't let me do that without sucking up all key presses. As it is, you're losing a lot of the visual information. But, I'll keep them for those who want to save screen space.
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Unread 02-14-14, 11:42 PM  
Zuul

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Re: Re: suggestions

Nice to get the quick response. Thanks!

I wouldn't mind typing in the macro text. That's the way it works in Gadget unit frames and it was no bother setting that up. As for icons, you could just require peeps to use #show if you don't want to do a picker. I'd can't imagine any reasonable person complaining about that.

Once you add layout options I'm rather certain I'll use your addon over the Gadget unit frames.

One more suggestion. Could you have different frames sets for different roles? (i.e. frames with many healing/shielding spells on a healer role and only a couple taunt/attack spells on a tanking role)

Anyhow, not wanting to overload you. It's just I never saw your addon back when I played Wow and I love the concept. Thanks!
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Unread 02-22-14, 10:25 AM  
travislaborde

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possible to include character in the frames

even while soloing?

this seems to me to be a possible replacement for CBH, which gives some of my toons errors in dungeons. And even easier to use with the concept of the buttons right on the unit frame - I'd really like to use it.

but I definitely need my own toon to be included, and for it to be visible while soloing too.
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Unread 02-23-14, 04:36 PM  
Darrek
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Sorry for the wait, I was sick for a while and then had to make up work... but I'm sure you don't want excuses. I owe everyone a status update.

I ran into some trouble with them, but I just finished adding solo frames for you and your pet (both optional) in addition to the layout options and custom macros.

The #show command was a little tricky, but I got it. In fact, now it not only shows the icon and tooltip, but the timerbars will also track the left-click #show spell (if you use a custom macro on them)
In addition, I was able to gather a list of all the cleansing spells, so they will dim out (as if on cooldown) when the group member doesn't have anything to cleanse. This also works with #show if you show a cleansing spell

I just have to test the thing to iron out the bugs, should be out tonight or tomorrow (EST) as long as nothing too troublesome emerges.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zuul
Could you have different frames sets for different roles? (i.e. frames with many healing/shielding spells on a healer role and only a couple taunt/attack spells on a tanking role)
If I'm understanding your question right, GroupWatch already does this. It maintains a separate set of settings and buttons/timers for each role you have, and will swap them out automatically when you swap roles.

EDIT: It's up and ready for download. Sorry again for the delay!
Last edited by Darrek : 02-23-14 at 08:12 PM.
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Unread 02-24-14, 03:05 PM  
travislaborde

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OMG that was so quick - thanks!

and of course I'm gonna ask for more

is it possible to show certain buffs/debuffs? not looking for anything too fancy. as a matter of fact... just like what you already have.

like, we already have the concept of 4-clicks-per-row where we can tell it what macro to run, or what spell to cast....

the same idea.. but a "row" that will display 4 buff icons. we can specify which buffs we care about for each icon.

and a row for debuff icons. same idea.

for example, I'd have one slot set up to show me that the unit has the "Symbol of the Torch" buff (or not). and one to show the debuff that prevents you from giving them another Symbol for a few seconds.

clicking on these buff/debuff slots wouldn't have to "do" anything. just visual indicators.
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Unread 02-24-14, 04:33 PM  
Darrek
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Re: OMG that was so quick - thanks!

Hmm, looks like I can do this one of two ways:

I could use your suggestion, adding more buttons, or adding an option to convert a button into a buff watcher. With this the interface would require you to type in the name of the buff, and the icon and tooltip wouldn't appear until the buff is first seen on a target (since there's no way to retrieve buff data other than inspecting the buffs on a target) assuming you typed the name correctly.

Or, I could just dim buff abilities when their buffs are on the target. However, this may or may not work with Burnout, which to my understanding is a separate debuff applied with the Symbol of the Tourch. If it doesn't you couldn't track Burnout. If it does, you couldn't see when the shield runs out. (though you could have a separate timerbar for that) I'm curious about this, maybe I'll do some testing.

In either case, I have important things due tomorrow and Wednesday, so I won't be able to work on this until Thursday. I shouldn't even be on here right now. I like the idea though, if I can get it to work.
Last edited by Darrek : 02-24-14 at 04:35 PM.
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Unread 02-25-14, 05:31 AM  
travislaborde

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or, another way to consider....

maybe each slot could be either a spell/macro (like you have now)..... OR it could be a buff/debuff indicator.

this would make it totally configurable and flexible to meet all of the challenges so far discussed.

and just as an example, if you also allowed three rows of slots, here is how I'd handle the symbol/buff/debuff scenario:

top row, right slot: buff indicator for Symbol of the Torch
middle row, right slot: button to cast Symbol of the Torch on this unit
bottom row, right slot: debuff indicator for Burnout

not every buff would need a three slot solution, and not everyone would want to "waste" three slots on one buff, but... I would

another scenario might have a row with a few slots each indicating when a certain debuff is present, with the last slot being a button to cast a cleanse.

seems like this would almost give a "sky is the limit" type of configurability for each user.

OK, I'm asking for a lot maybe. Sorry if I am. Your addon is just so close to taking over for me, that I want it to
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Unread 02-26-14, 10:05 AM  
travislaborde

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also, noticed one problem and one annoyance

on the pet frame, clicking the spells cause the target to be the player, not the pet. for example: I have Healing Spray on a slot. When I click it on my pet's frame, to heal him, it heals me instead.

next, so I actually ran a dungeon with this addon instead of CBH for the first time... the layout seems somehow wrong.

I want "5 across" so that a 5 man instance gives me one row of units horizontally. I think that is the second option in your layout choices. At least it appears to be and looks like it would be while soloing. But in an actual dungeon with an actual group it comes up vertically. Eww

thanks!
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Unread 02-26-14, 03:48 PM  
Darrek
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Re: also, noticed one problem and one annoyance

Quote:
Originally Posted by travislaborde
on the pet frame, clicking the spells cause the target to be the player, not the pet. for example: I have Healing Spray on a slot. When I click it on my pet's frame, to heal him, it heals me instead.
Ha, figured it out. Due to a small script bug, when you set an ability by dragging it to the demo frame, the target for player and pet frames isn't updated correctly. This doesn't happen when you set via the set dialog, and if you log out and back in (or type /reloadui) it should target your pet. Sorry about that!
Quote:
Originally Posted by travislaborde
I want "5 across" so that a 5 man instance gives me one row of units horizontally. I think that is the second option in your layout choices. At least it appears to be and looks like it would be while soloing. But in an actual dungeon with an actual group it comes up vertically. Eww
To make it
Code:
group01 -- group02 -- group03 -- group04 -- group05
group06 -- group07 -- group08 -- group09 -- group10
group11 -- group12 -- group13 -- group14 -- group15
group16 -- group17 -- group18 -- group19 -- group20
you would use "Horizontal" Growth Priority, which is the second option, so you're right. Just testing it now I hit the "X" button out of reflex and realized something confusing: the "X" button saves when setting a spell, but is discards changes when closing the options. I'll have to change that in the next patch.

Check your options again to see if it didn't save, and if it saved then tomorrow I'll have more time to figure this out.
Last edited by Darrek : 02-26-14 at 04:29 PM.
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