[Tool] Custom Quest Template for Word

[Sjeng]

I prefer HeroScribe. You can update HS with more icons and tiles too. I'm sure I found it somewhere (even downloaded it). Google it, I don't have the link. Word is a bit fussy in my humble opinion.
Nicely done though.

[Big Bene]

@Sjeng:
I know Heroscribe.
Everyone at here does.
I made this because I worked with Heroscribe and found it somewhat inconvenient. Of course, that's just me, and all in all, Heroscribe is a great piece of software. After all, I used much of the symbols from Heroscribe as well as the Heroquest Font (also made by Derfel Link).

Just to sum up the advanteges of Questbook.doc (again, these are just points that I made the way I like better, I don't claim objectivity):

- The main point is you can edit the symbols after putting them on the map: you can drag-and-drop as well as copy-and-paste them, even between different maps. I also think erasing them is easier and faster. You can even create "new" effects by rotating and rescaling them.
- The second point is that you can do the text alongside with the maps. When you get a new idea, you can add it into the map and into the text at once. You can layout text and maps together.
- A minor point is that there are also some "helpers" included to format the text parts in Heroquest style, such as the "frames" for mentor's speeches, textformat templates, some decorative graphics etc.

So, if these features copensate the "fussiness" of Word, you may give it another try. If not, stick to Heroscribe, which certainly has it's own merits (foremost not requirinig a product of the Microsoft Mafia).



@ Son and Dad:
It would be really important for me to know if you could fix the bug using my advise and how it's working now.

[Sjeng]

Ah yes, you can't move icons around in HS after you've placed them, that's true. Could have been an improvement.
And I was actually referring to the HS addons, not the program itself

[Sjeng]

A quick question: I've been dabbling with heroscribe a bit, and I've exported some quest maps, but does HS export complete quests or only the map?
Because if it doesn't, the Word template is very usefull. I'd add one thing though: replace the frame for the introduction text with the Mentor parchment.

I've been trying to make a good layout myself for my Sewers quest pack, I'll see if I can use yours.

[Big Bene]

Hi!

Heroscribe, as I know it, only exports the maps. You can then import the finished map into MS Word or a good Word processor (if memory serves me right, it's an Encapsuled Post Script file). As you normally work at the text alongside with the map, you have to run two applications. But then again, as most computers do multitasking, this is not such a big drawback. It is one of the reasons I made Questbook.doc, but my personal main point was to have the icons editable with the mouse. Again, that's all a matter of opinion.

I'd add one thing though: replace the frame for the introduction text with the Mentor parchment.

I'm happy to help, but I don't quite understand. By "introduction text", do you mean the note from mentor before each single quest? The one that's written in a horizontal rectangular square over the quest description?
In the original game, this comes in two versions: the NA prints have a purple rectangle with a dented, fuzzy rim. The European prints have a black drawing of a sheet of parchment with Mentor's seal in the bottom right corner. I included both versions. The NAmerican version is directly opposite the map (in it's final place, so you can use it right away), the European version is on the next page. Delete the page with the NAmerican quest description, and you will have the European one in the right place.

[Sjeng]

In the original game, this comes in two versions: the NA prints have a purple rectangle with a dented, fuzzy rim. The European prints have a black drawing of a sheet of parchment with Mentor's seal in the bottom right corner. I included both versions. The NAmerican version is directly opposite the map (in it's final place, so you can use it right away), the European version is on the next page. Delete the page with the NAmerican quest description, and you will have the European one in the right place.

Ok, cool, must have missed it... I'll have a look at it again...

edit: stupid me. I used the other template from this forum...

[sadkitchen]

Just tried using this in Open Office and it laughed at me and crushed all my dreams. (by not working)
Guess I'm stuck using HeroScribe. (which is awesome, I just wanted to play with all the toys )

-SadKitchen

[Big Bene]

It won't work with OpenOffice, as it makes heavy use of internal funcitions of Microshit Word (macros programmed in VR basic). Wouldn't have been able to do this in OpenOffice.
I'm a fulltime Microsoft hater, for good reasons, but I know how to work with their crap, as it's part of my job descriptions to help out their victims.
If you want to use Questbook.doc, get yourself a pirated copy of MS Word.

[sadkitchen]

Though I have no love for Microsoft, I try to avoid steeling/pirating as much as possible. I'll just have to play with Questbook.doc at the library where they have Word.

-SadKitchen

[Big Bene]

Though I have no love for Microsoft, I try to avoid steeling/pirating as much as possible.

Believe me, everything they got, they've stolen themselfes.
But I won't go any further to promote pirating here, for obvious reasons...