Macros are a very useful (though often inflexible) way of performing large, repetitive tasks by turning them into smaller, less repetitive tasks. You can use a macro, for example, to change making 600 bricks from a task involving about 400 individual clicks and moves of the mouse that could take up to 10-15 minutes to a simpler task involving a little set up time, and as few as 20-30 clicks.
Sometimes macros are used for very simple tasks, like automatically processing your flax while you're working on other things around your compound, or clicking "Travel for free" at the Chariot Stop when you have 2 minutes to go but have to run to the bathroom.
In all cases, however, you should be sure to attend your macros. Macros can be a nuisance if there is a glitch and they run out of control, and some feel that they give an unfair advantage to those players willing to use them.
If you choose to use macros, you should do so unobtrusively. Macros are supposed to save you a bit of grief, not give you a massive advantage. In general, if someone can tell that you are macroing, you're asking for trouble, even though it *is* legal to use macros in A Tale in the Desert.
If you use macros, please be sure that you monitor them and remain at the computer while they are running.
(I've read that using unattended macros is a banable offense.)
I often write macros to accomplish trivial tasks (like click the chariot that I'm waiting for in 12 minutes while I'm reading something on the wiki, for instance). Most of these macros are so specialized that they aren't worth saving.
The macros I keep and will add to this page are macros that I feel are flexible enough (or useful enough) to be used by players in general.
Most of my current macros are written using ACTool, though I am slowly shifting to AutoHotkey because it offers better features and easier use.
I will try to provide adequate instruction for using each of the macros I post, but feel free to /chat me if you have any questions.
These are completed macros that should work for just about anyone using the macro.
Each macro is easy to customize by editing a value or two at the beginning of the macro. You will never have to edit lines of code to run these macros.
Each macro will have instructions on how to use and modify it to suit what I anticipate to be basic needs.
An aid for The Test of the Acrobat.
Teaching acrobatics is sometimes a tedious task. We all want to help our friends and to improve our chances of learning, but slowly scrolling through our Known Moves list and clicking every 5-10 seconds is both boring and inefficient.
This macro has several benefits. It allows you to automatically go through each of your known acrobatic moves, one at a time, every 6 or so seconds. It also lets you specify how much time you want to spend on acrobatics (in minutes and seconds), which is handy for Acrobatic Line events where you spend a fixed time with each students (often 5-10 minutes), or when you're trying to help someone out while waiting for the chariot.
Instead of running back every minute to check the chariot, you can check the time to the chariot, enter it into the macro, and teach your moves until it's time to go. And when it is time to go, the macro can sound a bell for you, telling you that it's time to go.
Other macros are available from the main Macros Page.
Right click, save target as... obviously only works in Windows. Since the macro is written for ACTool, which is a (afaik) Windows only 'macro' tool that shouldn't hugely matter. Preladon.
| Name | Creator | Date | Size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AcroMacro | Gyges | January 4, 2005 2:13 am | 1675 | Eases and simplifies the process of teaching acrobatics. |