Card Maker 1.0.0.

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by Tim Stair
Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
Warning.......................................................................................................................................3
User Interface..............................................................................................................................3
Main Window..........................................................................................................................3
Project window........................................................................................................................5
Renaming a Layout............................................................................................................5
Re-Order Layouts...............................................................................................................5
Context Menu Items (Layouts Node)..................................................................................5
Context Menu Items (Layout Node)...................................................................................5
Context Menu Items (Reference Node)..............................................................................7
Layout Control window...........................................................................................................7
Card Count Group..............................................................................................................7
Card Layout........................................................................................................................7
Context Menu Items...........................................................................................................8
Multi-Select.........................................................................................................................8
Element Control window.........................................................................................................9
Element...............................................................................................................................9
Font (Text Elements)..........................................................................................................9
Graphic (Graphic Elements).............................................................................................10
Shape (Shape Elements)..................................................................................................11
Back..................................................................................................................................11
Border...............................................................................................................................11
Outline...............................................................................................................................11
Canvas window.....................................................................................................................12
Zoom.................................................................................................................................12
Canvas Alignment.............................................................................................................13
Dividers.............................................................................................................................13
Logger window......................................................................................................................13
Defines window.....................................................................................................................13
CSV Reference Files.................................................................................................................14
Creation.................................................................................................................................14
Special Functions..................................................................................................................14
Color String Format...............................................................................................................14
RGB Color Format............................................................................................................14
Color Name Format..........................................................................................................15
Font String Format................................................................................................................15
Element Overrides................................................................................................................15
Data Based Overrides......................................................................................................15
Definition (Variable) Based Overrides (Incept Translator only at this time).....................16
Override Fields.................................................................................................................16
Define File.............................................................................................................................17

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 Google References / Defines................................................................................................18
Google Authentication Setup............................................................................................18
Translator..................................................................................................................................18
Incept (Default).....................................................................................................................19
JavaScript.............................................................................................................................19
Definition / Scripting Reference (Incept Translator)..................................................................19
All Elements..........................................................................................................................19
Inline Background Shapes................................................................................................23
Basic.............................................................................................................................23
Advanced......................................................................................................................23
Inline Background Graphic...............................................................................................23
Basic.............................................................................................................................23
Advanced......................................................................................................................23
Graphic Elements.................................................................................................................24
Text Elements.......................................................................................................................24
Formatted Text Elements......................................................................................................24
Shape Elements....................................................................................................................27
Additional Parameters by Shape Table............................................................................27
Grid Note..........................................................................................................................28
Order of Translation..............................................................................................................28
Settings.....................................................................................................................................28
General.................................................................................................................................28
PDF Export Settings.............................................................................................................29
Exporting Layouts.............................................................................................................29
Layout Notes.....................................................................................................................29
Where is the print option?.....................................................................................................29
Layout Templates......................................................................................................................30

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Introduction
Card Maker is an application for generating layouts of information in a graphical
representation. (a wordy way of saying “it can make business cards or game cards”) Card
Maker was inspired by the need to generate cards for prototyping board games quickly
without a lot of overhead to make minor changes. The goal of the application is to simplify the
process by which a card layout is created and decrease the amount of time required to make
minor changes.

Warning
All information in this document is subject to change... of course. Card Maker should be used
AT YOUR OWN RISK. The author of the application is not responsible for any damages
caused by its use. (though I certainly hope nothing horrible will happen)

User Interface

Main Window
The main window has limited functionality and acts as a container for all of the other windows.
File Menu Item Function
New Project Creates a new default project.
Open Project... Opens a project file.
Save Project... Saves the current project to the loaded file (or prompts
the user if the file does not yet exist).
Save Project As... Allows the user to save the project as a different file
name.
Export Project to Images... Displays the Image Export dialog for the project.
Export Project to PDF... Displays the PDF Export dialog for the project.
Close Exits Card Maker

Edit Menu Item Function

Undo Undoes the last element or layout change.
Redo Performs the last undone element or layout change.

View Menu Item Function

Draw Element Borders Toggles the red outline drawn around each element.
Always Show Selected Element Toggles the outline for the selected element.
Draw Selected Element Guides Toggles the visibility of the guide lines indicating the

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 location of the Element as related to others.
Draw Formatted Text Word Toggles an outline drawn around each word in a formatted
Borders text field.

Project Menu Item Function

Clear Image Cache Clears any cached images from memory forcing them to
reload from disc. (allowing changes made by external
programs)
Update Known Issues Displays / Updates the known issues dialog. Each
problem area will be transitioned to upon clicking on an
issue.
Note: Your project must be saved to use this feature.
Import Layouts... Allows the import of layouts from other CardMaker project
files.
Clear All Google Cache Entries This clears the entire Google Cache
Project Settings... Allows you to configure project level settings. You can set
the project-wide translator type and the default define
reference type.

The Default Define Reference Type setting allows you to

specify where to attempt to read the _defines file for the
project on layouts without any references. CSV is the
fallback if nothing is found in the Google spreadsheets.

Layout Menu Item Function

Reload References Reloads the references for the currently selected Layout.
If Google
Cache is enabled the references associated with the
layout are downloaded to update the cache.

Tools Menu Item Function

Project Manager Viewer for all projects within a given directory structure.
Color Picker The color selection dialog (useful if you need the color
value)
Remove Layout Templates Dialog for removing layout templates.
Illegal File Name Character Configures the characters to replace those that are invalid
Replacement... on export of the project. (empty by default)
Update Google Credentials... Allows you to update the AccessToken used when
connecting to a Google Spreadsheet reference.

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Settings... Configure the general settings for Card Maker.

Windows Menu Item Function

(Window Name) Opens the given window

Project window
The Project window contains a tree view indicating the card layouts and their associated
reference files.

Renaming a Layout
To rename a Layout left-click a layout node and don't move the mouse until the editable text
field appears. (like renaming a folder in windows explorer)

Re-Order Layouts
You can drag and drop layouts in the project view to change the order in the project.

Context Menu Items (Layouts Node)

Menu Item Node Type Function
Add Card Layout... Layouts Adds a new layout based the parameters supplied
in the dialog.
Add Card Layout From Layouts Adds the selected Layout template from the dialog
Template... with the name specified.
Set Name Format... Layout(s) Adjusts the naming scheme associated with the
project when exporting images.

Special codes in the name format:

@[column_name] – A value from the reference /
define
## – card number (1 based)
#SC – Sub card number (1 based)
#L – layout name
Project Settings... Layouts Same functionality as the Project > Project
Settings… item.

Context Menu Items (Layout Node)

Menu Item Function
Duplicate Layout Duplicates the selected layout
Duplicate Layout Duplicates the layout based on the settings specified.
(Custom)...

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Resize Layout... Assists with configuring the width/height of the layout based on
the desired measurement (and DPI). Uses the configured
measurement unit from the application wide pdf export settings
dialog.
Define as Template Adds the selected layout to the list of layout templates. All
Layout... aspects of the layout (including elements) are persisted except
the name.
Remove Card Layout Removes the selected layout
Export Card Layout as Displays the Image Export dialog for the selected layout. There
Images... are a few special settings:

Stitch Skip Index: A value to indicate any gaps to intentionally

leave in the stitched export.

File Name Format (see Configure Layout Export for details)

Export Card Layout as Displays the PDF Export dialog for the selected layout
PDF...
Add Reference... Adds a reference file (CSV) to be associated with the selected
layout
Add Google Spreadsheet Adds a reference to a Google Spreadsheet. Each time you open
Reference... the project the AuthToken will be requested.
Configure Layout Configures numerous settings for the Layout:
Settings...
Export
Naming scheme associated with the project or layout:

Special codes in the name format:

@[column_name] – A value from the reference
## – card number
#L – layout name

Export rotation if your images need to be rotated 90/-90

degrees. This applies to pdf, and image export (adjusting your
card between portrait or landscape).

Stitched columns/rows configures the width and height based

on the buffer and layout size.

Export width and height for export to stitch multiple images

together into one.

Export with a transparent background instead of a white one.

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Context Menu Items (Reference Node)
Menu Item Function
Set as Default Reference Sets the selected Reference as the default for the layout
associated with it.
Remove Reference Removes the selected Reference from the list associated with
the parent layout.

Layout Control window

Card Count Group

Control Function
# Sets the default card count. This is intended for layouts that do not have
a reference. Layouts with references only use this number if no items are
in the associated reference (either due to a sparse reference or the use
of the allowed layout functionality).
Card Numeric This sets the card index for this layout. Use this to cycle through all of the
cards associated with this layout.
Row Numeric This sets the current row from the reference source, jumping duplicates.

Card Layout
Control Function
Buffer Sets the vertical and horizontal buffer between cards when exporting to
PDF.
Export DPI Sets the DPI of the given layout. This only affects the exported DPI. The
layout is still rendered 1:1 on the screen. (example: if you want a 3.5”
wide card at 300dpi then the width needs to be 3.5 x 300 = 1050)
Width The width of the layout in pixels.
Height The height of the layout in pixels
Resize (button) Assists with configuring the width/height of the layout based on the
desired measurement (and DPI). Uses the configured measurement unit
from the application wide pdf export settings dialog.
Draw Border Draws a black border 1 pixel wide on the edges of the layout. This is
primarily intended for cutting cards out after printing.
Load All This option will attempt to load all the associated references. The project
References wide defines are loaded based on the default reference only. All
reference define files are loaded as well. The column names are driven
by the default reference only. Any additional references must have the
same column order. Any extra columns in further references are ignored.
Press F9 to reload references after toggling this option.

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Control Function
Elements A list of all of the elements in the layout. If an element is highlighted it is
the selected item and can be affected in the Canvas and Element Control
windows. The enabled value indicates whether to draw the element or
not. You can toggle the selected elements visibility by double-clicking or
pressing the space bar.

The order of the elements indicates how the items will be drawn. The
bottom item is draw first and proceeds to draw the others up to the top
element.
Add Adds a new element.
Dupe Duplicates the selected element. If multiple elements are selected the
same number of new element names must be specified to duplicate.
Remove Removes the selected element.
Rename Renames the selected element.
Note: Duplicate names of elements are not allowed within a layout.
Scale Scales the selected elements by a decimal value (1.0 is no change)
Resize Scales the selected elements by the specified amounts (0 is no change).
Negative values indicate the shrink the elements.
Up / Down Moves the element up or down in the list affecting draw order.

The table below contains shortcuts for use in the Elements list box.
Description Keyboard Shortcut
Move selected element up 1 level Shift + Up
Move selected element down 1 level Shift + Down
Select the element 1 level up Up
Select the element 1 level down Down

Context Menu Items

Menu Item Function
Copy Copies the selected Element(s) to the clipboard.
Paste Pastes the Elements in the clipboard into the Layout. This is intended for
copy Elements from one Layout to another. Note: You cannot paste an
Element of the same name.
Paste Settings... Applies the specified settings from the Element in the clipboard to all
selected Elements.

Multi-Select
You can also select 1 or more of the layout elements to move them together in the Canvas

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window. This will maintain their relative location to one another. Other changes, such as
resizing, in the Canvas with multiple items selected will only affect the given selected element
you are manipulating. If multiple items are selected all elements will be affected by changes to
the Element Control, such as changing the font or border.

Element Control window

Element
Control Function
Type The type of element.
X The x position of the element. 0 is the far left. X increases moving right.
Y The y position of the element. 0 is the far left. Y increases moving down.
Width The width of the element.
Height The height of the element
Opacity The opacity of the element.
Rotation Rotation of the element around the center of the element definition
position.
Spreadsheet Data Above the Definition text area there is a view of the current data
associated with the given card index. You can right-click in the view to
add a reference (to the given column) to the Definition field.
Definition The text string defining the element contents. (see Definition / Scripting
Reference (Incept Translator) for more details)

When working with a Graphic element type the “...” button may be used
to browse to and select supported graphic files.

The “+” button to the right of the Definition field will pop up a list of
possible items to insert into the Definition text area. (see Definition /
Scripting Reference (Incept Translator) for more details)

Font (Text Elements)

Control Function
Font The font to render the text with.
Color The color to render the text with.
Bold Draws the font in bold. (may not be supported by all fonts)
Italic Draws the font italicized. (may not be supported by all fonts)
Strikeout Draws a line through the rendered text. (may not be supported by all
fonts)

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Control Function
Underline Draws a line under the rendered text. (may not be supported by all fonts)
Size The size of the font to render.
Auto-Scale Attempts to scale the font of any text that overlaps the element borders
down to the desired element size. Warning: This can be CPU intensive.
You should also setup your element with an optimal font size. The font
size you specify in the element is the target font size maximum The more
scaling performed the less accurate the output. (though your string
should still appear in its entirety) Note: This can only be used with Text
elements.
Line Spacing Adjusts the spacing between text lines. Note: This can only be used with
FormattedText elements.
Word Spacing Adjusts the spacing between words (can be negative). Note: This can
only be used with FormattedText elements. This is used to tweak the size
of a space (and space markup).
H Alignment The horizontal alignment of the text within the element space.
V Alignment The vertical alignment of the text within the element space.
Notes:
• The text will appear to be red until the font has been set once.
• Any strings that are too large to fit in the desired element will be drawn with ellipsis to
help find issues. The ellipsis will not be present if Auto-Scale is used.
• OTF (Open Type Fonts) are not supported at this time.

Graphic (Graphic Elements)

Control Function
Lock Aspect Ratio Locks the image aspect ratio when drawing.
Keep Original Locks all drawing of the image to the original size. If oversized the image
Size is cropped (based on alignment settings). The Lock Aspect Ratio option
has no effect on this setting (as it will be the original image aspect ratio).
H Alignment The horizontal alignment of the graphic within the element space.
Note: This only apples when Lock Aspect is checked.
V Alignment The vertical alignment of the graphic within the element space.
Note: This only apples when Lock Aspect is checked.
Set Size To Image This will set the size of the element to be that of the original image file.

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Control Function
Tile Size This defines the size of the tile for the graphic (if you want to tile at all).
The format is #x# (width x height).
Example: 50x45

You can use a variable width or height that will match the aspect ratio by
specifying ‘-’ as the width or height (one of the two should be specified)
Examples:
-x45
50x-

You can specify ‘-’ or a blank string if you do not want tiling at all.

Shape (Shape Elements)

Control Function
Color The color to render the shape with.
See shape information in the Definition / Scripting Reference (Incept Translator) section.
There is also an assistant to help define the shape. Each time you change a property value
the definition of your element will automatically change to the settings indicated.

Back
Back is the background color for the element rectangle.
Control Function
Color The color of the background.
X Clears the background color completely (none is drawn)

Border
Border is an outline for the element itself (the rectangle defining the object).
Control Function
Color The color of the element border.
Thickness The thickness of the border (in pixels). If this is 0 no border is drawn.

Outline
Outline is an outline for the drawn element itself. (text/shape outline)
Control Function
Color The color of the outline border.
Thickness The thickness of the outline (in pixels). If this is 0 no outline is drawn.

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Canvas window
The Canvas is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor for the element shape and
location. It directly effects the Element Control window values. It is highly recommended that
you further tweak any location/scale values in the Element Control window for neatness sake!
The currently selected Element in the Layout Control window will be drawn with a green
border. This item can be moved and manipulated like many other standard graphics tools. I'm
not going to detail out how to do this. If you're new to graphics editing you should spend some
time in the Canvas manipulating an element to see how it functions.
Note: The green border on selected items will not appear if you have disabled the Draw
Element Borders option.
You can use the right mouse button to select the element under the cursor. If more than one
item is under the cursor a context menu will display a list to select from.
You can press and hold the middle mouse button to pan around the layout. This is useful if
zoomed in or any time the scroll bars are visible.
The table below contains shortcuts for use in the Canvas.
Description Keyboard Shortcut
Move selected element up 1 level Shift + Up
Move selected element down 1 level Shift + Down
Select the element 1 level up Control + Up
Select the element 1 level down Control + Down
Move selected elements up/down 1 pixel Up / Down
Move selected elements left/right 1 pixel Left / Right
Lock to axis Shift (and move the mouse along the desired
axis to lock to)
Zoom In / Out Ctrl + +/- (+ zooms in, - zooms out)
Toggle Mode – switch between resize-and- m
move(normal) and move-only
Toggle Mode – switch between move(normal) r
and rotate-only

Zoom
Control Function
Fit Sets the zoom value so the canvas is filled with
the layout (width or height)
Fit Horizontal Sets the zoom value so the canvas view is filled
with the layout (width wise)
Note: Zoom may result in a slightly inaccurate representation on things that are measured

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programatically(this is a bug). Formatted Text elements in particular may be laid out slightly
differently when zoomed in. It is recommended that you always review your work at a zoom of
1.0.

Canvas Alignment
Control Function
Center Elements Horizontally Center the elements horizontally in the layout
(only the x value is affected)
Custom Align Elements Horizontally Customizable Horizontal Align
Center Elements Vertically Center the elements vertically in the layout (only
the y value is affected)
Custom Align Elements Vertically Customizable Vertical Align
Custom Align Elements Customizable Align
Under the custom options there are a few settings to further tweak how to align the items.
Including the Element Width/Height makes the elements to be aligned without overlap.
Vertical/Horizontal centering can either be based on the Element or the Layout itself. Pixel
spacing indicates the number of pixels between the placement of each element (if the
width/height is not included the Elements will likely overlap).

Dividers
You can configure dividers to help layout elements by dividing the card. These lines can be
toggled off and on with the Toggle Dividers button. They are never exported to the final output.

Logger window
Context Menu
Control Function
Copy Line to Copies the selected line to the clipboard.
Clipboard
Copy all text to Copies all of the text in the logger to the clipboard.
Clipboard

Defines window
The defines window is used to display the current applicable defines. You can use Ctrl+C to
copy the selected define as a data reference item (“@[define]”). There is a right-click context
menu with similar options.

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CSV Reference Files

Creation
CSV reference files have 4 strict content rules:
1. The separator character must be a comma. Some editors may switch this on you!
2. The first row must contain the column names. The columns may be named with
spaces but should not use the [ or ] characters (or anything else that might confuse the
parser when trying to translate references).
3. The first column may be named anything, but the contents should always be the card
count of the given row. (an empty entry assumes 1 instance of the given row)
4. Never use quotes in the strings in Excel or Calc (OpenOffice). Both applications handle
this differently and it makes a mess of things. The automatic quotes around a string (if
you look at your CSV file in a text editor) are necessary and should be left as is. See
the escape codes in the Text Elements section.
5. Newlines within a value are supported but not recommended!

Special Functions
Function Definition Details
Comment out a In the first column set the card count to 0.
line.
Specifying the You can specify the allowed layout for a card by name. Any row without a
layout matching layout name with the current layout will not be included in the
list of cards. Name the column allowed_layout in your CSV file and
specify the desired layout for every card.

Color String Format

RGB Color Format

Colors are formatted into strings as follows:

RRRGGGBBB or RRRGGGBBBAAA

Each block is a 3 digit representation of the color value for the given color. (R – Red; G –
Green; B – Blue; A - Alpha)

Example: 012123167

You can also specify a color using hexadecimal values:

RRGGBB or RRGGBBAA

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Example: 882859

Be sure to include any leading zeroes. The type of color value you specify (hex vs. decimal) is
based solely on string length: 6/8(hex)

Some editors may remove the leading zeroes. If you are specifying the color as hex you can
insert 0x at the beginning of the string (ie. 0X882859). I highly recommend doing so.

Color Name Format

You may also specify colors by using the names supported by the .NET framework. See:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ie/aa358802%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

Font String Format

Fonts are formatted into strings as follows:

fontname;fontsize;bold;underline;italicized;strikeout

fontname – string name of a font (“Arial”)

fontsize – size of the font (like the size in a word processor)
bold – 1 or 0 (on or off)
underline – 1 or 0 (on or off)
italicized – 1 or 0 (on or off)
strikeout – 1 or 0 (on or off)

Note: See one of your project files for an example font string (they are readable in notepad or
any other text editor). An invalid font string will be ignored and may result in crashes or other
undesirable outcomes!

Element Overrides

Data Based Overrides

You can override an element's settings per card in the CSV by providing a column with the
following format:
override:[element name]:[element value]
Example: override:text_field:x
Any values specified in this column will override the text_field element's x value. When
rendered the element's x location would be that of the override value. (locking the horizontal
position in the example)
Any colons involved in the name of an element will cause the override to fail. DO NOT USE
COLONS IN YOUR ELEMENT NAME.
This will completely override any changes you make in Card Maker. When rendered the

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override will take effect. Any empty value specified within the column is ignored.
The value of an override can use the same functionality as described in Definition / Scripting
Reference (Incept Translator). This allows the override value to be defined based on other
properties of the given card.

Definition (Variable) Based Overrides (Incept Translator only at this time)

Overrides can also be created within the Definition field itself using the following macro:
$[field:value]
Example: $[y:40]
The above would lock the y value to 40.

Override Fields
The various field type values must be specified correctly for the program to function correctly.
See the table below for formatting the content of your override column. This table also
contains the recognized field names. All field names are lower case.
Fields Override string format
x (int) Integer number values.
y
width
height
borderthickness
opacity
outlinethickness
lineheight
wordspace (+/-)

autoscalefont (bool) Boolean values: true or false (case should not matter)
enabled
lockaspect
keeporiginalsize
justifiedtext

rotation (float) In the case of rotation use only integer number values.

bordercolor (string) (See the section Color String Format)

elementcolor
outlinecolor
backgroundcolor

tilesize (string) (See the section Graphic (Graphic Elements))

font (string) (See the section Font String Format)

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 Fields Override string format
verticalalign (int) Numeric value indicating the vertical alignment:

0 – Near
1 – Center
2 – Far
(int) Numeric value indicating the horizontal alignment:
horizontalalign
0 – Near
1 – Center
2 – Far
variable (string) The Definition field. This can only be overridden in a data file

type (string) One of the following strings:

Text
Shape
Graphic
FormattedText

Define File
In addition to a CSV reference file you can have a set of defines associated with each
reference. This is for the definition of values so you do not have to repeat them in the main
reference file. Each reference can have a defines file. The project can also have a defines file
if there are values you need across all references. Sample of a define file shown below:
Define Value
coin Awesome Token
roll_hint You must roll 1D6 to determine the outcome.
game_title Space Adventure 2048
nested_coin (@[coin])

Notes:
• Each define name follows the same rules as a column name in a reference file.
• The first row is ignored. The column names are there only for reference. The first
column in all rows after the first contains the define name and the second column
contains the value.
The define file should be named the same as the main reference file with _defines appended
to the name and should reside in the same folder as the reference file. Example:
• Reference file: items.csv
• Define file: items_defines.csv

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 • Project Wide Defines: [project file name without extension]_defines.csv

Google References / Defines

References stored as Google spreadsheets follow the same general pattern as local CSV
References. The one exception is that the defines functionality operates based on a sheet in
the same spreadsheet with _defines appended to the name. Sample:
• Main sheet: items
• Defines sheet: items_defines
• Setting up Project Wide Defines
Spreadsheet Name: [project file name without the extension] (this is case sensitive!)
Sheet Name: defines (always this name)

Alternative / Override: If you don’t want to name your Spreadsheet as described

above you can change the Spreadsheet to look for the defines sheet in under the
Layouts > Project Settings… menu item in the Project window. Specify the desired
sheet in Google Project define spreadsheet override (case sensitive). You can enter
the name manually or use the “...” button to navigate.

Google Authentication Setup

Configuring Google connectivity is reasonably easy. It used to be as trivial as entering you
Google credentials but Google has disabled that style of authentication in favor of OAUTH2.
See the instructions below for enabling access to your Google spreadsheets.
1. Launch CardMaker and select Tools > Update Google Credentials...
2. Either copy the Auth URL and browse to it in your preferred browser or click Browse
To URL
3. Google should prompt you to allow CardMaker to access your spreadsheets and then
navigate to the CardMaker site with the AccessToken field already selected.
4. Copy the AccessToken value and return to CardMaker.
5. You can manually paste the AccessToken value into the Access Token field or press
the Paste Token button. If you use the Paste Token button the dialog will close
immediately (slight time savings!).
6. Now when you add a Google Reference you should be able to access your
Spreadsheets. You will need to setup the Access Token each time you run CardMaker.
No credentials data is persisted to any files and the Access Token has an expiration
anyway.

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Translator
CardMaker supports two different translators. Each translator operates differently and
requires different formatting in the reference files. The translator can be configured on a per
project basis. Translator types cannot be mixed within a single project.

Incept (Default)
This is the default translator for CardMaker. This document includes the details on how to
work with this translator.

JavaScript
The alternative (and experimental) translator is JavaScript based. This allows for much more
complex logic and offers full scripting capabilities. See the Card_Maker_JavaScript.pdf file for
more information.

Definition / Scripting Reference (Incept Translator)

The information below is intended for use in the Definition field of the Element Control or in
the CSV Reference (or define) file itself.

#empty – This can be used in place of an empty string. Example:

#if(x == then a)#
is the same as
#if(x == #empty then a)#

All Elements

Function Definition Details

Referencing a @[columnname]
Data Source item
Replace columnname with the desired column name or define from the
referenced data source.

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Function Definition Details
Referencing a @[columnname,parameter1,parameter2,(repeats...)]
Data Source item
with parameters Replace columnname with the desired column name or define from the
referenced data source.

Replace parameter1 (etc.) with the desired input for the define. When
constructing the resulting value any instances of {#} will be replaced with
the given parameter. Be aware that spaces after/before the commas will
be included in the parameter strings.

Example:

Defines
smallImgTag = <img={1};.90;0;3>
theCoin = \images\coin.png
Input
@[smallImgTag,@[theCoin]]
Output
<img=\images\coin.png;.90;0;3>
Card Values There are some special values that are taken from the current context of
the layout/card.

![deckindex] – This is the current deck index

![cardindex] – This is the current card index (see Sub Counter)
![cardcount] – The number of cards in this deck
![elementname] – The name of the element
Substring %[string,index,count]

string – some sequence of characters

index – the index to begin extracting characters from (0 based!)
count – the number of characters to extracted
Example: %[sample,4,2] would result in le

This allows for a string to have a given number of characters extracted.

Counter ##x;y;z#

This will display a number based on the following properties:

x + (current card index * y) with left padded 0's numbering z

Example (on card index 5) with ##1;1;5# would be 00005

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Function Definition Details
Sub Counter #sc;x;y;z#

The sub card index is the index of the card based on the number of items
indicated in the count column of the reference file.

This will display a number based on the following properties:

x + (sub card index * y) with left padded 0's numbering z

Example (on sub card index 5) with #sc;1;1;5# would be 00005

Repeat #repeat;x;y#

This will repeat the string of characters represented by y x times.

If Statement Samples:
#(if x == y then a)#
#(if x != y then a)#
#(if x == y then a else b)#
#(if x != y then a else b)#

== - x is equal to y (case insensitive)

!= - x is not equal to y (case insensitive)
> - x is greater than y
< - x is less than y
>= - x is greater than or equal to
<= - x is less than or equal to

x,y,a,b – string values

#nodraw is supported as a result to trigger the element to not be drawn

at all.

You can specify an empty string by simply entering nothing.

An example of an empty comparison is as follows:

#if(x == then a)#

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Function Definition Details
If Statement You can use the if statement with groups. The x and y values listed
(grouped) above can be formatted as:

[val1;val2;val3]

Allowing multiple items to be compared to multiple other items. The x set

of strings is sought in the y set. The comparison is successful if all of the
items in x exist in y. (the y set is not checked for existing in x)

NOTE: This does not apply to numeric comparisons. Only == and != are
supported.

TBD – keep this functionality?

Switch Statement #(switch;key;keytocheck1;value1<repeat>)#

key – The value to check the others for.

keytocheck1 – A comparison string
value1 – A value string (this will be the overall result if key matches
keytoccheck1)

;keytoccheck1;value1 can be repeated multiple times with varying

strings. There should always be a key and a value. (an empty string is
valid)

If the keytocheckis #default the value will be the default if no other keys
match. (example: #(switch;15;10;Y;#default;Z)# – would default to Z
because “15” is not the same string as “10”).

#switchkey can be used in the switch statement to reference the key

value.

#nodraw is supported as a result to trigger the element to not be drawn

at all.
Switch Statement #(switch//key//keytocheck1//value1<repeat>)#
(alternative) This is the same as the above just using ‘//’ as a delimiter. The delimiter
is completely customizable. The first 2 characters after the word switch
will be used as the delimiter.
Random Number #random;min;max#

min – minimum value (inclusive)

max – maximum value (inclusive)
This operates with positive/negative integers only.

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Function Definition Details
Greater than &gt; This is critical for anyone needing to use the > character in a value
character used by an if statement.
Less than &lt; This is critical for anyone needing to use the < character in a value
character used by an if statement.

Inline Background Shapes

Inline background shapes are a convenient way to create backgrounds for various elements.
Normally you would need to create an independent element and keep its size up-to-date with
the foreground element.
There are two formats:

Basic
#bgshape::[shape definition string]::[color string]#
Example: #bgshape::#roundedrect;0;-;-;30#::0xff00ff#

Advanced
#bgshape::[shape definition string]::[color string]::[x offset]::[y offset]::[width adjust]::[height
adjust]::[outline thickness]::[outline color]#
Example: #bgshape::#roundedrect;0;-;-;30#::0xff00ff::-20::-20::40::40::5::0xff0000#
See the Shape Elements section for how to define the shape. The offset and adjust settings
may be negative.

Inline Background Graphic

Inline background graphics are a convenient way to create backgrounds for various elements.
Normally you would need to create an independent element and keep its size up-to-date with
the foreground element.
There are two formats:

Basic
#bggraphic::[image path]#
Example: #bggraphic::images/Faction_empire.bmp#
Note: The aspect ratio is not enforced. The graphic will stretch to the bounds of the element.

Advanced
#bggraphic::[image path]::[x offset]::[y offset]::[width adjust]::[height adjust]::[lock aspect
ratio]::[tile size]::[horizontal align]::[vertical align]#
Example: #bggraphic::images/Faction_empire.bmp::-5::-5::10::10::true::-::1::1#

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See the Graphic (Graphic Elements) and Override Fields sections for how to configure the
various settings. The offset and adjust settings may be negative.

Graphic Elements

Function Definition Details

Referencing an The path to the file should be specified. The path may also be relative to
Image the project file.

Supported Image Types: BMP, GIF, EXIG, JPG, PNG, TIFF, and PSD.
PSD file support is rudimentary. 8 bit per channel PSD images should be
functional. (RGBA)

Relative path example: images\file.bmp would be valid if the project file

were stored in the folder where the folder images existed
Draw no image #nodraw is supported like other elements. none may also be specified to
indicate to draw no image (note that this is different than no draw as the
other components of the element will be rendered (example: border).

Note: Any invalid file path / name will also not draw.

Text Elements

Function Definition Details

New Line \n – Will be replaced with a new line
Quote Character \q – Will be replaced with a “ (necessary for CSV file annoyances such
as OpenOffice and Excel handling of strings with commas in them)
Comma \c – Will be replaced with a comma

Formatted Text Elements

These elements support HTML like tags for mid-line formatting. Some fonts do not display the
same between styles. They will appear to be vertically offset by some number of pixels. I
recommend finding a font that does not have this issue (as there may be little I can do to
resolve the issue on a per font basis). To close a tag specify the tag name with a ‘/’ character
before it (Example: this word will be <b>bold</b> and the rest will not).
Using the outline functionality with Formatted Text is not recommended. There are numerous
draw issues that may come up. Be very careful to check the results before assuming
everything is working correctly if you use outlined Formatted Text. Generally in the
documentation below just about anything you specify in the definition field (even words and
spaces) translate internally to a markup (a component to determine how to render).

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Function Requires Definition Details
Closing
Tag
Bold Y <b> – Will change the text within to bold
Italic Y <i> – Will change the text within to italicized
Strikeout Y <s> – Will change the text within to be drawn struck out
Underline Y <u> – Will change the text within to be underlined
New Line N <br> – Will be replaced with a new line
Space N <spc=#> - Number of spaces to add. May also be used without
specifying the number to indicate a single space: <spc> The width
of this markup is numberOfSpaces * (fontWidthSize +
WordSpacing).
Push N <push=#;#> - (x;y) The amount to push the current x/y values.
<push=#> - (x) The amount to push the current x value.
This provides direct control over the position of the next markup
(including text/spaces).
Background Y <bgc=#########;#> - The first part is the color; the second is the
Color additional vertical pixels to add to the default height (some fonts are
given a whole lot of space at the top, but lacking at the bottom)
<bgc=#########> - Will create a background color within the tag.
(See the section Color String Format)
Background N <bgi=[filename]>
Image
OR <bgi=[filename];[#];[#];[#];[#]> - Will create a background
image behind each given word in the tag. The first option will draw
the image at full size in the upper left hand corner of the given
word. The second option has the following fields:
1. x offset
2. y offset
3. width
4. height

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Function Requires Definition Details
Closing
Tag
Image N <img=[filename]>
OR <img=[filename];[percent]>
OR <img=[filename];[xoffset];[yoffset]>
OR <img=[filename];[percent];[xoffset];[yoffset]>
OR <img=[filename];[xoffset];[yoffset];[width];[height]>

• percent – percentage of the current font height the image

height should be (aspect ratio is maintained) – value from
0.00 to 1.00 would be smaller than the line. 1.00 represents
100%.
• xoffset – The x draw offset
• yoffset – The y draw offset
• width – The width to draw
• height – The height to draw

This will render an image and consume horizontal space like text
does. If an image is too wide it will be shrunk horizontally to fit.

Font Size Y <fs=#> - Will change the size of the font for the words within the
tag.
Font Color Y <fc=#########> - Will change the font color within the tag. (See
the section Color String Format)
Font Y <f=fontname;fontsize;bold;underline;italicized;strikeout> (See
the section Font String Format)
Y Draw Y <yo=#> - Will affect the Y offset of the markups when drawing. This
Offset is recommended when a style (bold or italic) does not align correcly
with normal text. The number value may include the decimal point
for more precise tuning.
X Draw Y <xo=#> - Will affect the X offset of the markups when drawing. This
Offset is recommended when a style (bold or italic) does not align correcly
with normal text. The number value may include the decimal point
for more precise tuning.
Pixel N <px=#;#> - (x,y) Adjusts the draw location to the point specified
within the element (will self adjust if specified value is outside the
bounds). If either value is -1 the existing x/y location is maintained.
<px=#> - y is defaulted to -1 as defined above.
Align Y <ac> - Overrides the horizontal alignment to be centered (this tag
Center has no effect if using justified).
Align Left Y <al> - Overrides the horizontal alignment to be align left (this tag
has no effect if using justified).

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Function Requires Definition Details
Closing
Tag
Align Right Y <ar> - Overrides the horizontal alignment to be align right (this tag
has no effect if using justified).
Line Y <ls=#> - Overrides the current line spacing value. Upon closing tag
Spacing the previous value is restored.
Quote N <q> - Will be replaced with a double quote (“) character
Comma N <c> - Will be replaced with a comma (,) character
Escape N/A The ‘\’ character can be used to indicate to ignore any special
Characters meaning of the following character. Examples:
\> - will results in the > character (not treated as part of a tag)
\< - will results in the < character (not treated as part of a tag)
NOTE: The line spacing must be configured. Lines will draw on top of each other without it.

Shape Elements
Basic shape elements are described by this format: (Rectangles/ Ellipse)
#shapename;thickness;horizontal_size;vertical_size#
Other complex types have the same basic format with extra parameters:
#shapename;thickness;horizontal_size;vertical_size;[extra parameters]#

Example: #roundedrect;0;-;-;45# (see below for what the 45 indicates)

Value Description
shapename the name of the shape to be drawn
rect, roundedrect, grid, ellipse, triangle
thickness The thickness of the pen to draw with. 0 will fill the shape.
horizontal_size / vertical_size The horizontal/vertical size in pixels of the rectangle to draw
within. This overrides the Element size. The values may be
negative to draw above or to the left of the Element.

Additional Parameters by Shape Table

shapename Additional Parameters
roundedrect [EdgeSize]
(rectangle with rounded edges)
EdgeSize – The distance to round from the corner.

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shapename Additional Parameters
grid [AllowPartialGrid];[GridWidth];[GridHeight]

AllowPartialGrid – Allows the grid to draw in an

incomplete form on the right and bottom
GridWidth – The width of a single rectangle in the grid.
GridHeight – The height of a single rectangle in the grid.
triangle [Corner]

Corner – The corner to draw the triangle from. 0 is upper

left, 1 is upper right, 2 lower right, and 3 is lower left
(default is 0)

Grid Note
• The partial grid option is only a best guess. If your thickness and other variables are
not configured precisely you may find the last line draw incorrectly or missing entirely
(generally obvious with 1 thickness). This issue may be resolved with a code fix in the
future.

Order of Translation

1. Card Values (![x])

2. Data Source References (@[x]) & Substring (%[x,y,z]) (starting with right most first)
3. If/Switch (starting with the right most first)
4. Text translations (Note: These only apply to Text elements)
5. Definition overrides ($[…] Incept translations) are evaluated/extracted

Note: It is possible to create an endless loop if you dare enter @[?] values in the csv file.

Settings

General
Setting Description
Enable Google Cache When enabled any Google References will be persisted
locally until you either clear the cache (Project > Clear All
Google Cache Entries) or reload references (Layout >
Reload References). This allows you to work offline after you
have loaded a given layout (or multiple). The cache is
persisted to disk and is available after relaunching the
application.
Export Layout Border When exporting a border will be drawn around the layout.
This can be useful for cutting after printing.

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 Setting Description
Default Translator Type Specifies the default translator to set when you create a new
project.
Log Incept Translation If enabled, all translations performed with the Incept
translator are logged (useful for debugging issues).

PDF Export Settings

The print settings can be found under Tools > Settings... > PDF Export Tab
Setting Description
Page Width The full width of the paper to print to (inches)

Page Height The full height of the paper to print to (inches)

Page Horizontal Margin The size of the horizontal paper margin (inches) – This is the
horizontal space on the left/right side of the paper that Card
Maker will not draw beyond.**
Page Vertical Margin The size of the vertical paper margin (inches) – This is the
vertical space on the top/bottom of the paper that Card
Maker will not draw beyond.**
Auto-Center Layouts on Page If enabled layouts will print to the page horizontally centered.
Note: When switching layouts while printing the new layout
will automatically be placed below the previous layout.
Print Layouts On New Page When printing or exporting to PDF start a new page for each
layout
** - If the layout switches to landscape the margins apply as if the output were in portrait.

Exporting Layouts
By default Card Maker attempts to export the entire project performing some basic space
optimizations to combine as many layouts onto a single page as possible. In some cases you
may want to select and print the individual layouts to avoid the combining of multiple layouts.

Layout Notes
Be sure to make your layouts the desired size based on your target DPI. For example: if you
want a card to be 4” x 3” and the target print DPI is 300 you will need to configure your layout
be 4x300(1200) width and 3x300(900) height. This is especially critical if you are targeting
PDF as it compresses to fairly low quality JPEGs when storing images.

Where is the print option?

For now, printing has been removed. Image export and PDF export are both excellent options
that should cover just about every use case needed.

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Layout Templates
CardMaker allows for the creation of individual layout templates. These files can be found in
the folder where CardMaker is started from under the \templates folder. If this folder does not
exist no templates will be available to the application. If you download any templates you may
have to create the \templates folder.

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