MCD Templates - Defined
When revamping my Marvel Character Database, I had a idea. How about having a user defined output capability similar to what FreeFind allows.
I nearly couldn't get to sleep that night (2/17/01)
The next day, I implemented my plan, but instead of simply the Title and Contents from FreeFind, I created the ability to position any field any where.
Before I continue, I have to explain some terms that I will use on the page:
- Template - Put simply, this is an HTML document with Elements positioned where the data fields will go. This page can be as complex as you want.
- Field - A unique name given to each item on the Character Screen (Name, Occupation, Relatives, Powers, etc.)
- Section - This is actually a predefined group of fields (Stats, Secondary, background). Sections can be repeated any number of times within a template.
- Elements - These are the Template version of the Field and Section names, in most cases they are the same as displayed on the Character Screen. Elements are always enclosed in Pipes. Elements can be repeated any number of times within a template.
- Pipes - A character on the keyboard that looks like two vertical dashes, one above the other, on the keyboard. It is usually over the Backslash character ( \ ). When displayed on the screen, it usually looks like a solid vertical line ( | ). (I was going to go with LT and GT symbols < >, but mistakes in the templates would not have been displayed.)
With that out of the way, let's get to it, shall we?
The list of valid elements (don't forget to enclose in Pipes) are:
| AColor | A user defined color |
| BColor | A user defined color |
| CColor | A color based upon the first letter in the character's name. It is supposed to duplicate the colors of the Gamers Handbook |
| PColor | A user defined color, originally intended to be the default page background color |
| TColor | A user defined color, originally intended to be the default text color |
| Plug | A shameless plug for the program and me, this is not included in any macro-element |
| CPoints | Character Points |
| CName | The Characters name |
| RName | Real Name |
| AName | Aliases |
| FStat | Fighting Rank |
| AStat | Agility Rank |
| SStat | Strength Rank |
| EStat | Endurance Rank |
| RStat | Reason Rank |
| IStat | Intuition Rank |
| PStat | Psyche Rank |
| FValue | Fighting Value |
| AValue | Agility Value |
| SValue | Strength Value |
| EValue | Endurance Value |
| RValue | Reason Value |
| IValue | Intuition Value |
| PValue | Psyche Value |
| Health | Health |
| Karma | Karma |
| ResStat | Resources Rank |
| ResValue | Resources Value |
| Pop | Popularity |
| Origin | |
| Form | |
| Sex | |
| Age | |
| Motivation | |
| Identity | |
| LStatus | Legal Status |
| Birthplace | |
| MStatus | Marital Status |
| Relatives | |
| Base | |
| Group | |
|
Affiliation |
|
|
Powers |
The list of Powers, can be several lines, separated by <br>. Includes a Header |
|
Equipment |
The list, and capabilities, of Equipment, can be several lines, separated by <br>. Includes a Header |
|
Talents |
The list of Talents, can be several lines, separated by <br>. Includes a Header |
|
Contacts |
The list of Contacts, can be several lines, separated by <br>. Includes a Header |
|
Personality |
A section with the heading of Role Playing Notes |
|
Notes |
A section with the heading of Notes |
| Background | A macro-element that contains the above elements from RName to Affiliation |
| Image | The relative URL of the character's image, if any |
| HStats | A macro-element that contains the FASERIP stats as well as their values in a table across the page. |
| HSecond | A macro-element that contains the secondary stats (and value for Resources) in a table across the page. |
| VStats | A macro-element that contains the FASERIP stats as well as their values in a table down the page. |
| VSecond | A macro-element that contains the secondary stats (and value for Resources) in a table down the page. |