Export Format Design Challenge!

[Simon]

OK -- this one is for all of the export format designers out there:

I need to come up with an export format that is as "all-encompassing" as possible. Ideally, based off of the Default format, adding in checks for the existence of any/all Characteristics, notes tabs, and other optional sections.

Assuming we can come up with a good candidate, I'm going to work on integrating it into the forums....with ties back to the Vault. You can get an idea of how it would work over on Hero Central (the characters pages).

I'll get the dynamic loading of the character taken care of once we have a good format. I'll also likely work in some other items that folks have been mentioning for a while (integrated die roller on the skills, etc.).

I think we can come up with something pretty robust and functional....I'd just like a bit of a hand on the design/layout.

If you're interested in working on something, post here with any questions -- I can help out wherever needed.

Requirements for the new design:

1. It should be at least based off of the Default format (Hero System 5th Edition character sheet). Alternately, I'd be willing to entertain WG-formatted character sheets as well.

2. It has to be HTML-based. I'm going to be tying in a fair bit of Javascript and such to get the die-roller functioning within the export.

3. It should pass HTML and CSS validators. I'll be looking for XHTML strict (all tags ended, proper attributes, etc.).

Again, let me know if you have any questions on the markup, export tag usage, or anything else....

[Simon]

For those interested in working on this, there are some Web 2.0-style options that we can toss in.....in particular would be having the export order the characteristics according to their Position attribute in the template being used.

I can give you the code for creating sortable tables and such (click on a column header and it will sort ascending/descending). Just let me know what you need and how you need it to function.

[ghost-angel]

You have any deadlines in mind for proposing/showing off initial versions?

Do you want any calculations (CVs, Phases, movement speed in MPH/KPH) on the sheet or strict basic formating from the sheet in the back of 5ER?

[Simon]

You have any deadlines in mind for proposing/showing off initial versions?

Do you want any calculations (CVs, Phases, movement speed in MPH/KPH) on the sheet or strict basic formating from the sheet in the back of 5ER?
Timeframe: as soon as they can be made ready ;)

Calculations I leave up to the designer -- a large part of the design (IMO) is what you include.

On that note, if there's a desire in anyone's design for "hot swappable" items (tabs, card panes, etc.) let me know and I'll give you the code.

[Starwolf]

While I don't think I have the skills to contribute to this yet, I am excited to see the results :D

[Simon]

I'm going to do some quick testing on new BB codes for the forum (to support this concept):

Cypher


edit: The new BB code works fine...just need to add in some new functionality on this site to support it (since security settings in the browser prevent offsite calls).

[Simon]

OK...I've got the codes enabled on the forums now and have completed the functionality on the site to actually perform the export and gather the results.


You'll find the BB code on the new support site -- it's listed on each character right after the downloads, just copy and paste here on the forums.

[Hyper-Man]

Any way you can turn off the listing of common modifiers on Framework slots? They tend to make the exports wordier than they need to be for some characters IMHO.

[Simon]

Any way you can turn off the listing of common modifiers on Framework slots? They tend to make the exports wordier than they need to be for some characters IMHO.
All depends on the final export format -- I tend to prefer them for clarity.

[ghost-angel]

Is it possible to next that "click to toggle" aspect within the character sheet itself?

[Simon]

Is it possible to next that "click to toggle" aspect within the character sheet itself?
Assuming you meant to type "nest" -- it would be tricky...and I'm not sure that it would be a good idea. The whole "click to toggle" bit is an indication for the viewer that it's not just a funky line -- they can click on it and get something more. If that's buried in the character sheet (which is initially hidden), it won't really be all that useful.

[ghost-angel]

Assuming you meant to type "nest" -- it would be tricky...and I'm not sure that it would be a good idea. The whole "click to toggle" bit is an indication for the viewer that it's not just a funky line -- they can click on it and get something more. If that's buried in the character sheet (which is initially hidden), it won't really be all that useful.

I did mean "nest" :p

The ability to expand/contract parts of the character sheet could be useful, but probably isn't what I'm going for...

Now, "tabs" within the character sheet would be cool.

[Simon]

Ah...I see where you were going with that...I hadn't realized you meant using the show/hide for other (sub) sections of the sheet. Yes, that would be fairly easy.

Tabs are also workable, but tend to be a bit on the cumbersome side.

In a similar line, we can also work in "accordion panes" -- sort of a show/hide for multiple, stacked sections in which only one is open at any given time.

[ghost-angel]

Ah...I see where you were going with that...I hadn't realized you meant using the show/hide for other (sub) sections of the sheet. Yes, that would be fairly easy.

Tabs are also workable, but tend to be a bit on the cumbersome side.

In a similar line, we can also work in "accordion panes" -- sort of a show/hide for multiple, stacked sections in which only one is open at any given time.

Hmmm... I'm going to have to put some serious thought into this over the weekend.

I have some designs on paper. Mostly, I suck at programming things, but if I can tap your expertise in that area a bit to work with some design ideas on my end I think it'd be cool.

What I'm trying to achieve in the end effect is provide a large amount of information with a minimum amount of vertical scroll. Especially if I can create a Combat Section that works with a die roller.

[Starwolf]

Heh... when you guys get this done...

I have another challenge for GA :sneaky:

[Rapier]

Any way you can turn off the listing of common modifiers on Framework slots? They tend to make the exports wordier than they need to be for some characters IMHO.

There is already an option for "show common modifiers on items in a list." Isn't that what you are talking about? I know that mostly handles the HD side of things, and I know that I ALWAYS use the RPMiller Export Templates and my characters never have common Limitations displaying.

Am I missing something? I'm sure I must be.

[Hyper-Man]

There is already an option for "show common modifiers on items in a list." Isn't that what you are talking about? I know that mostly handles the HD side of things, and I know that I ALWAYS use the RPMiller Export Templates and my characters never have common Limitations displaying.

Am I missing something? I'm sure I must be.

I was referring to Dan's choice of HD export settings.

Take a look at the following 2 links:

1. Hero Central: Mega-Mistress (http://www.herocentral.net/herocentral/get/files/premium/Mega-Mistress+060107.HTML)
(http://www.herocentral.net/herocentral/get/files/premium/Mega-Mistress+060107.HTML)

2. Hero Designer: Mega-Mistress 060107 update

I manually uploaded the 1st one using my choice of export to herocentral.net . The 2nd one is the using Dan's choice of export directly from the herodesigner.com site via the new option: "Hero Designer: "["hd=220417"]"Mega-Mistress 060107 update"["/hd"]" which then links to http://www.herodesigner.com/getCharacterExport/Mega%20Mistress%20060107%20update1.html;jsessionid =aZVPM90lGWEh

[ghost-angel]

Heh... when you guys get this done...

I have another challenge for GA :sneaky:

That sounds ominous.

...On the Common Modifiers, I have an idea but it will all depend on the look/feel of things when I get into the nuts and bolts of the export format.

[Rapier]

I was referring to Dan's choice of HD export settings.

Take a look at the following 2 links:

Ahhhh. I see. I wonder, and RPM or someone might be able to answer this better...but isn't that still controlled by HD? Doesn't HD pass to the Template whether to display Common Mods?

Or is your point that Dan chose a cruddy Template?

It's been a LOOOOONG day (nearly got squashed at work today) and I'm just not tracking well.

[Simon]

Ahhhh. I see. I wonder, and RPM or someone might be able to answer this better...but isn't that still controlled by HD? Doesn't HD pass to the Template whether to display Common Mods?

Or is your point that Dan chose a cruddy Template?

It's been a LOOOOONG day (nearly got squashed at work today) and I'm just not tracking well.
It is controlled by HD. And HD is controlled (in the case of the auto-exports of characters posted to the support site) by me/the server.

[Rapier]

It is controlled by HD. And HD is controlled (in the case of the auto-exports of characters posted to the support site) by me/the server.

AHHHHHHHH. NOW I get it!

Thanks for the patience! :)

[RPMiller]

Can you accordion left and right as well as up and down?

[Nolgroth]

Sorry I can't contribute, but I have to say "Wow." I really like this feature. Can't wait til you get the kinks worked out.:thumbup:

[Simon]

Can you accordion left and right as well as up and down?
Not easily, no -- they use block-level elements to nest the content.

[ghost-angel]

Hey, I'm about halfway through the first bit, just one question before I go all crazy... CSS, would that be a call to an external file for the CSS formating?

[Simon]

It could be, but it would likely be better to embed the CSS in the export format itself -- it will prevent an additional call to the server and keep everything that the new format will need to render in one place.