[Tool] HeroTeX

[whitebeard]

I have noted that HeroScribe creates Vector Graphic maps which are effectively infinitely scalable and that the quests which are shared are subsequently constructed in a graphical based editor. This ends up rasterizing the otherwise perfect map image which reduces quality while increasing file size. Ideally the map and fonts are represented exactly in a PDF and the parchment type banner is the only "image" over which exact text is placed.

To do this I used the LaTeX document markup language to create something new. Here is my first example work product. Still some obvious wrinkles to iron out, but I think this is very close (for North America). An EU version (A4, etc) is a simple change to the template.

HeroTeX.pdf

[Baylor_OgreBane]

I managed to zoom in to 500% without seeing a single pixel, except on the banner image, because as you said it's not a vector.
Great work Whitebeard.

[whitebeard]

I managed to zoom in to 500% without seeing a single pixel, except on the banner image, because as you said it's not a vector.
Great work Whitebeard.

Thanks!

I would like to see the banner also as a vector graphic. But when I tried it I discovered that PDF TeX (which my system is using) only allows "flat" PDF 1.3 images for inclusion this way. In the long run I think I can make the jagged banner boarder as a vector graphic and include that and allow the parchment fill to be optional. This way you can generate B&W printer friendly versions at the same time.

Anybody have an SVG of the banner / banner boarder already?

I will post the template when I have it "automated". There is no need to actually install LaTeX (which can be quite cumbersome). Instead I use the tool from here http://www.verbosus.com.

[torilen]

Very neat.

[StratosVX]

I use Mac computers and I always export the maps from HeroScribe as eps files. I then use Pages (word processor) to make the quests so that what I make is 99% vector graphics. I much prefer that over using raster images as vectors are neater and crisper (besides you can zoom in if your eye sight isn't the best and you won't lose quality). The covers are raster images, the background for the quest description text is a raster image and the alchemist sign is too. Other than that, everything is vector.

[whitebeard]

I use Mac computers and I always export the maps from HeroScribe as eps files. I then use Pages (word processor) to make the quests so that what I make is 99% vector graphics. I much prefer that over using raster images as vectors are neater and crisper (besides you can zoom in if your eye sight isn't the best and you won't lose quality). The covers are raster images, the background for the quest description text is a raster image and the alchemist sign is too. Other than that, everything is vector.

Very nice. There are many programs which will produce vector graphics. I do not have Pages on my Mac Air. I really like the Hardware and the BSD… not so much the rest of what makes it a Mac. In truth I wanted to learn how to do this sort thing with LaTeX anyways.

The nice thing about LaTeX is the automatic text formatting, column wrapping, etc. When I'm done you can create your quests something like this.

Code: Select all

\documentclass[letterpaper]{HeroQuest}   % paper size options are "letterpaper" and "a4"

\begin{document}

\HQdrawmap{MyMap.pdf} % your map from HeroScribe

\HQdrawparchment[height=9cm]{parchment.pdf}      % you may need to manually iterate to figure out how tall the parchment background should be (it is different for each quest).  Ideally this can be automated as well.

\HQquestnumber[on]{2}   % add a Quest number (or turn off if none)

\HQtitle[oneline]{The Rescue of Sir Ragnar}   % the title

\HQsummary{Sir Ragnar has been captured…}

\HQnotes[10pt]{   % a font size is included because sometimes there is a lot of text and things need to be smaller to fit on one page.  Long quests will automatically extend to additional pages.

  \HQnoitem{Sometimes there is text without an associated Map location.  Things like, ``All traps in this quest cause twice as much damage.''}

  \HQitem[A]{This is Sir Ragnar's cell.}

  \HQitem[B]{The first hero who searches this room will find Sir Ragnar's sword on the weapon rack.}

  \HQitem[X]{Balur the Fire Mage does not belong in this quest but we put him here anyways.  He has the following spells...}

  \HQmonster{MonsterName}{Movement}{Attack}{Defend}{Body}{Mind}   % where the text should be replaced by the actual numbers and the table is drawn automatically.

  \HQitem[XX]{Balur's brother Falur sits here.  He knows nothing of his brother's treachery and knows no magic.  He will not attack unless attacked first.}

  \HQmonster{Falur}{8}{2}{3}{5}{8}   % this is how you really add a monster.
} % end of notes section

\HQwanderingmonster{Orc}{imagefilename}  % images are ideally the SVG / PDFs taken from HeroScribe.

% to use a special wandering monster comment out the previous line and use this instead
%\HQspecialwanderingmonster{Olar's Ghost appears and is very confused}

\end{document}


[StratosVX]

The nice thing about LaTeX is the automatic text formatting, column wrapping, etc.

I made a template just for this reason. I just drag and drop my images, and I can copy and paste the text when I'm converting the old text file and jpg quests that are in the archives. Speaking of, I need to finish those...

[whitebeard]

The nice thing about LaTeX is the automatic text formatting, column wrapping, etc.

I made a template just for this reason. I just drag and drop my images, and I can copy and paste the text when I'm converting the old text file and jpg quests that are in the archives. Speaking of, I need to finish those...

Very nice! So no luck getting a vector graphics version of the parchment banner? I was pretty close to having one, but the "no alpha channel" requirement for PDFTeX stopped me from moving forward. You can go 100% vector graphics for quests once you have this!

You really should post you Pages template. I looked Pages up on the app store, it's only $20.

[StratosVX]

Very nice! So no luck getting a vector graphics version of the parchment banner? I was pretty close to having one, but the "no alpha channel" requirement for PDFTeX stopped me from moving forward. You can go 100% vector graphics for quests once you have this!

You really should post you Pages template. I looked Pages up on the app store, it's only $20.

Here's the link to the Pages templates. You're not the first one that asked for them so I'll just make them public. Keep in mind, these are formatted to look like quests I had found that were written by Phoenix or drathe. Can't remember who had them formatted like this. Also, I do mine in steps then combine the PDF's when I have them all done. Many of the images are placeholders that you just replace by drag and drop. The map, the letter indicators in the quest notes, etc. They are there for alignment purposes. If you have any questions about them, let me know.

As for the parchment banner, I do not have a vector graphics version. I don't know enough about Inkscape to make one yet either. I could probably do a trace of the outline, but getting a parchment look for the background is definitely out of my ability right now. Unfortunately, I won't have time to try it for quite a while either.

[Daedalus]

This is a nice option for sharing. Is it possible to install the fonts used in the various Hero Quest products? Another noob question--could the Ye Olde Inn logo or other identification devices be included that are only recognizable at high zoom?