This`ll be my first post in a new series of tutorials for getting started with Gametable. Pogs are the graphical representation of PCs, NPCs, monsters, and other objects that will dynamically be moved around on your map. While Gametable comes with some stock pogs, making your own is a snap!

The fastest way to make a pog is to head over to RPTools.net and use their TokenTool. RPTools has their own RPG whiteboarding client like Gametable but I found it to be over kill for what I wanted. However, their TokenTool (Token = Pog) allows you to take any image on your screen and turn it in to a nice pog`ish image with a frame saved on your computer, thus, you can import it in to Gametable without a hassle. Another nifty feature of TokenTool is that is can be run right off their web page using a Java Web Start thinger. After starting the program, you`ll see this initial screen:

Now we need to find a picture. For demonstration purposes, I`ll use the one on my About Me page taken at the 150 Man Lan Party last August. Here are the steps needed to import this image in to TokenTool:

1. Minimize TokenTool
2. Maximize the page with the image you want to use
3. Left click on the image and drag it down to your taskbar where the minimized TokenTool is resting
4. Wait a moment (still holding the left mouse button) and TokenTool will pop up.
5. Drag the image on to the black area and release the left mouse button.

You are then free to move the image around center the target area of your image inside the frame. I used the drop down menu on the right hand side to choose a rounded frame. Several frames are available with some being fantasy and others sci-fi related. You can zoom in and out to get the target area just where you want it.

PLEASE NOTE: Gametable’s grid squares are 64 x 64 and TokenTool has a default size setting of 128 x 128. Simply use the drop down menu to select 64 x 64.

Here is what we have so far. I’ve indicated where to toggle the options for size.

Looks good to me! Let’s save it. Head to File > Save Token and take it from there. I had to close TokenTool before moving my new pog, czar.png, in to my gametable\pogs directory and opening up Gametable. Huzzah! I’m ready to kill the zombies and grab the lootz.

My next installment of Gametable tutorials will deal with underlays, like those treasure chests seen above, which use a different program and not TokenTool. (We can learn how to make those cool zombies too).