Works with CoreRPG v2021.07.06+ and layered rulesets.
If you're having issues with extension please read this post first on making sure you have correct extension installed.
The goal of this tool is to make it a little easier to write ref-manuals. The idea is to use the parts of FG that are easy to use and then export that to the ref-manual format. So, you can use the Story editor, with all the tables, bold, italic and other formatting tools easily and then create a ref-manual.
This tool is not much use to anyone other than content creators. Also keep in mind there are some limitations with the ability to create ref-manuals.
How does it work?
I've put together a short tutorial on how to use Author.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5J00YBZ8Cc
If you still are not sure how to use it read on, perhaps that will help.
Each category in your Story records will be set as a chapter. Each Story entry that has the checkbox ticked will be the start of a sub-chapter. Each Story entry also has a Frame option that can be set. If the Frame value is empty the default set in the Export window will be used.
Note: you can organize category names by using leading numbers before the name so it appears in the order you want it to appear in the ref-manual listing. These numbers will be stripped out in the ref-manual so you dont have them dangling around. TIP: When using this method to keep the chapters and stories organized, remember to give them a name. Do not just name a category "05" as this will show up as a blank entry in the reference manual index list since the numbers are stripped out. So, name it something like "05 Chapter - 1".
Create story entries in each group/category how you wish them to appear in each chapter. You can also set the frame on individual story entries or leave them blank to use the global default set in the export window. If you wish to indent a story name you can add a underscore to the entry. Example "056.009 _The Deep Caves". This would indent the story in the ref-manual listing.
https://i.imgur.com/QsJdvnO.png
A kind person put together a reference manual module with images of the CoreRPG frames. Use this to see examples of what the frames appear like in the reference manual.
If you would like to have "tags" added to links, then use this method to drag/drop those links where you'd like them.
https://i.imgur.com/ZQxkXI1.gif
Type /author (or click the Author icon in top part of the sidebar or in the drop down menu (if you use 2E or Better Menus)). From the Author window you can import the Story entries into the Builder as well as a few other options.
https://i.imgur.com/1NtVgte.png
- Frame - The default "background" frame used when importing story entries into the builder. Will bring up a new window and you select which frame you wish to use. This will alter the Author window for visual reference of the frame selected.
- Purge - Delete the current Builder content. Tthis cannot be undone.
- Build - Import the Story entries into the Builder. This WILL remove any existing Builder (same as purge) before importing. This cannot be undone.
- Lock all - Lock all records (best effort to lock all content).
- Unlock all - Unlock all records.
https://i.imgur.com/fHtA8OL.gif
After you've loaded the module you should be able to see something like this.
https://i.imgur.com/MNOfTzt.png
For command line options, type "/author help" and you will see this.
https://i.imgur.com/GB892M3.png
Inline images are now supported with a few caveats.
- The drag/dropped image link in the Story must be by itself. If you want a list of images you'll need to list them as individual, not stacked.
- The descriptive text for the link must not contain <>'s. This also means you cannot apply bold/underline/italic options.
If you have any suggestions or feedback please feel free to post them.
Update 6.0
- Updated to support new Builder system from Core update.
Avaliable at the forge link here. You can send a donation to the creator if you like this tool.