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HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 05 Feb 2013, 14:40
by Snacko
Short description what it does:
This utility generates high quality, 736x1050 proxies that use the latest oracle text. Because the images are generated from scratch (except the art), all the cards are pixel perfect and consistent. All existing cards are supported, including multicolored, dual and flip cards. Art is chosen randomly, but all available art images for a card will be used before the same image is used twice. This means when you generate a deck, all Swamps (for example) will have a different art. Utility accepts deck lists in CSV and MWS formats.
HQ Crops Flips/Splits/Planeswalkers
Thanks go to Halfcat for Planeswalkers, extreme and rest of HQ pics team for the rest.

Changelog:
9.0.0 most notable
    * all renderers except for futureshift
    * updated to Gatecrash
    * bug: for correct card color on non English night cards currently you have to add your translated card to data/eighth/titleToTransform.csv

Files
Download the full package
http://www.mediafire.com/file/kijumjxlf ... n-9.0.0.7z

The copyrighted fonts are included. They're not available from mediafire.

Mediafire folder
Source repository

Installation instructions:

Modular packages are not yet updated. Download the full package listed above
The whole release is modular so in order to get a renderer running you need the base packages:
*-main.7z
*-php.7z
*-fonts.7z
*-images-rarity.7z
*-images-misc.7z

Then depending on the renderers you want to use you can download one or all of the following:
*-images-eighth.7z < current standard post 8th frame (includes flips & timeshifted frames)
*-images-preEighth.7z < the old pre8th classic frame
*-images-planeswalker.7z < planeswalkers frames
*-images-vanguard.7z < vanguard frames classic and custom
and there will be a packages with futureshifted frames

The generator is now ready to use however you can improve the accuracy of generated cards by using the correct fonts
For post8th edition look you will need
* MatrixB.ttf (MatrixBold)
* MatrixBSmallCaps.ttf (MatrixBoldSmallCaps)

For avatars:
* Septimus.ttf (Septimus)
* Perpetua-Bold.ttf (Perpetua Bold)
* MinionPro-Regular.otf (MinionPro-Regular)
all of the additional fonts should be places into the font folder. The generator will automatically use them if they become available.
The last thing you might need to do is edit config.txt and change the path to the crop images folder. The folder structure is the same as for MWS.

Linux, BSD
You need to get php + gd working or wine.
If you have php+gd working you can use native.tar.gz.
Under wine use wine.tar.gz.

Mac OS
* Copy contents of native.tar.gz into Card Generator directory.
* Install Macports
* Open up the Terminal in the Applications/Utilities folder in the Finder
* Run 'sudo /opt/local/bin/port selfupdate
* Run 'sudo /opt/local/bin/port install gd2'
* Run 'sudo /opt/local/bin/port install php5'
* Run 'sudo /opt/local/bin/port install php5-gd'
* Go get some coffee...
* In the terminal edit the .bash_profile file. Add 'export PATH=/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:$PATH'. I use the vim text editor for this.
* Use the Terminal to navigate to the directory where Card Generator is installed.
* Run './generateCards.sh', './generateCards-decklist.sh','./generatePages.sh', './generatePages-decklist.sh' as desired.
* You can drag a folder onto the terminal to add the folder name to the command line prompt.
* Press 'Return' and CardGenerator should run.

Usage:
generateCards.bat - Generates cards from deck list in CSV or MWS deck format.
generateCards-decklists.bat - Generates deck lists with their legality.
generatePages.bat - Generates pages of cards, useful for proxy printing at ~315DPI
generatePages-decklists.bat - Generates pages of deck lists only.
You can start the bat and then drop in the deck file or drop the deck file onto a shortcut.

CSV Decklist format:
1,Sarcomite Myr
2,Reaper King,SHM
2,Reaper King,SHM,DCI
1,"Shizo, Death's Storehouse"

It goes like
<Number of cards>,<Name of the Card>,[Edition],[Promo]

The number of cards and the name are obligatory, however you can specify if you want to use a precise edition. The last promo field tells the generator that you want to make a promo out of the card which translates into a special set symbol and textbox overlay. Currently the DCI and FNM are available but making a custom one comes down to dropping an overlay into images/promo/*.png and a set symbol into images/eight/rarity/*_R.gif where * is the Promo name.

All the generation setting can be modified via config files:
config.txt - Main configuration
config-decklist.txt - Decklist generation configuration
config-eighth.txt - post8th edition frame configuration includes planeshifted
config-preEighth.txt- pre8th edition frame configuration
config-vanguard.txt - Avatar frame configuration

Most of the options are self explanatory, however feel free to ask if you need clarification.

Advanced usage:
misc/createCard.bat can be used to create custom cards
misc/diffDecklists.bat generates a deck that is the difference between two other decks
misc/prices.bat computes the overall price of a deck
misc/buildFontSizeCache.bat can be used to rebuild the font size cache which speeds up card generation
misc/generateAll.bat generates all cards from all editions
misc/installContextMenuItems.bat install a context menu when holding shift key when right clicking any file
misc/import/readme.txt HOWTO update the card database using GoblinHero MWS Masterbase

Sample cards generated with HQ Card Generator (scaled and exported to jpg to preserve bandwidth)
ImageImageImageImageImage

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 06 Feb 2013, 01:58
by ahkren
Awesome, thanks so much for the update.
I've been working on vectorizing the guild symbols for the RTR block. I've attached the EPS files I've been working on. If someone can use them, enjoy.

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 08 Feb 2013, 18:53
by BaconCatBug
Did I mention how Much I love you? <3

I'll be making a new post for my customised and sanitised cards.csv some times this weekend.

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2013, 08:39
by Nyth
So let me get this straight since I'm now totally lost. Does the 9.0.0 package contain all that is needed or are there additional modules to be downloaded?

I am assuming it has everything but I just wanted to check, So does it include:
  • HQCrops.zip or any other files from the MediaFire folder or do they need to be downloaded to make this work?
  • All currently available Eldrazi for transparent renders?
  • All possible planeswalker transparent overlays until and including Gatecrash?
  • Levelers? I don't seem to recall that this was ever fixed 100%
  • Colour Indicators, on both Modern and non-Modern frames? (Transguild Courier is supposed to be using that indicator, is it not? So why does the sample look like it does?)
  • Fonts? Are any additional fonts needed?
  • Complete card database? No missing promo/reprint/Un sets
  • Complete high quality vector set symbol imagery (PNG instead of GIF) including all sets (box set reprints)?
  • Original set symbols for those that want them pre Exodus Block
  • Watermarks. Which ones do exist? And which ones are missing? Guild watermarks? Mirran/Phyrexian watermark? All 5 mana symbols watermark? Promo prerelease/release watermarks, etc?

I know I'm probably asking silly questions, but I just wanted to be sure before I started configuring and playing with it.

Oh, and I'd be happy to clean up the initial post to be more informative based on your answers if you want.

Thanks loads!

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2013, 16:04
by BaconCatBug
The package linked does not include:
HQCrops.zip or any other files from the MediaFire folder or do they need to be downloaded to make this work?
All currently available Eldrazi for transparent renders?
All possible planeswalker transparent overlays until and including Gatecrash?
Original set symbols for those that want them pre Exodus Block

Everything else works fine. Levellers, Miracles, transform etc. It has a full unadulterated cards.csv. Colour Indicators are indeed included, it just seems he's using the old image for the Transguild.

If you want the old symbols and eldrazi art, check out my post. :3

Bugs Discovered:
Soul Seizer's Transform Reminder P/T is bugging out and printing "Enchant Creature" into the space. I suspect it's because this is the only transform card that transforms into a different card type.

It seems that if a transform card has an apostrophe in its name the render errors out, bud oddly enough, only on the Night Side. Other Night Side cards render perfectly. http://imgur.com/fmkiqf6,xIUPrXc,5Ff4dKX

Pre-Eighth cards currently don't have colour indicator support, but I suppose that can't be helped. Mainly its for the Kobolds since they technically no longer have rules text on them saying they are red.

Sarpadian Empires, Vol. VII doesn't have its name rendered in italics.
Suggestions:
Add a switch to allow us to render Transform Cards as Split Cards.
Add a switch that allows us to render with a white border, 0 for always black, 1 for always white and 2 for Real Life Mode.

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2013, 16:45
by Nyth
Hmmm... In that case, the original post does need tweaking to be a bit more self explanatory since I suspect these questions will be asked again and again... For example, it mentions the fonts aren't included, but they are... And the rendered images are definitely with the old resource files. The files have been updated from the Duels of the Planeswalker resources if memory serves. Also, did someone not create 3 and 4 colour indicators? Oh, and flip card templates for other colour combinations?

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2013, 21:42
by Snacko
* all card images ex. planeswalker overlays, splits, eldrazi are not included
* pay fonts not included:
**MatrixBSmallCaps.ttf
** Septimus.ttf (Septimus)
* non modern card don't have color indicators as they never supposed to have them
* all set icons are png except those that weren't made as far I know
* I haven't been collecting watermarks if someone has a good collection of them I'll include them
* pre exodus sets use the new rare/uncommon/common coloring
* sample cards are the same as previously as I did a fast copy paste and didn't edit the whole text

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 17 Feb 2013, 18:17
by Ayssia
(Sorry about my poor English)

It seems I did something wrong?

1. I downloaded the full package, and crops.
2. I created a file named "a.txt" with a line: "1, Transguild Courier"
3. I dragged "a.txt" onto the generateCards.bat, and I got this:

Transguild Courier.jpg


The fonts seemed pretty strange >.< and there's a multi-colored mark before "Artifact Creature"?

Then I used "Gwars Customised Cards.csv and Deckfiles", and got this:
Transguild Courier.jpg


Not fixed, but I noticed the space between characters changed(still strange though).

My question:

1. How to remove the multi-colored mark?
2. What should I do to change the space between characters?
(or exactly, what should I do to get the same effect as the Transguild Courier in the main thread?)

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 17 Feb 2013, 18:41
by BaconCatBug
The reason it has the mark is because the oracle text for it says it has that mark, since it's all colours.

That being said, a way of removing it would be nice! :D

The spacing of the characters seems fine to me in my packages version.

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 18 Feb 2013, 08:38
by Nyth
Ayssia wrote:The fonts seemed pretty strange >.< and there's a multi-colored mark before "Artifact Creature"?
This is the correct expected output based on the font files in the full package. As far as I recall, the font spacing has been compressed to make it work with heavily worded text boxes in a much better manner. Also, you don't have the correct font for the Power/Toughness in your folder.

Ayssia wrote:Then I used "Gwars Customised Cards.csv and Deckfiles", and got this:
Not fixed, but I noticed the space between characters changed(still strange though).
So the spacing has been changed as seen, but also the Power/Toughness now has the correct font. You can always take the fonts from Gwar's files and place them in the HQCG 9.X folder to get the best result.

Ayssia wrote:1. How to remove the multi-colored mark?
The multi-coloured mark is now an integral part of reprinting any cards that had colour defining text in their text box. All renders of those cards should utilise these symbols from now on, rather than text box reminder text. The best example of this is Dryad Arbor. Compare the original print with the reprint to see how things have changed. Having said that, it may be worthwhile to have settings flags to show/hide the colour indicator and show/hide the text box reminder text.

Ayssia wrote:2. What should I do to change the space between characters?
(or exactly, what should I do to get the same effect as the Transguild Courier in the main thread?)
The Transguild Courier in the main thread is now actually incorrect and the one you generated the first time around is perfect, so I wouldn't be too worried about making it look identical.

It also occurs to me that Gwar was intending on releasing his "update pack" that had some of these changes in it. So the base pack would be the same regardless.

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 18 Feb 2013, 15:21
by BaconCatBug
Nyth wrote:It also occurs to me that Gwar was intending on releasing his "update pack" that had some of these changes in it. So the base pack would be the same regardless.
That is indeed correct. My pack is nothing more than a nitpicky and more streamlined additional package. :P You still need the 9.x packages first!

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 23 Feb 2013, 08:21
by Ayssia
some bugfixes:

Mondronen Shaman:

Code: Select all
"“Tovolar, my master. Gather the howlpack, for the Hunter’s Moon is nigh and Thraben’s walls grow weak.”"
should be:
Code: Select all
"“Tovolar, my master. Gather the howlpack, for the Hunter’s Moon is nigh and Thraben’s walls grow weak.”
-----"
Chosen of Markov:

Code: Select all
-----
Markov's Servant
Creature — Vampire
4/4"
should be:
Code: Select all
-----
Markov's Servant
Creature — Vampire
4/4
 "

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 15 Apr 2013, 11:52
by odino182
we get update for new dgm fuse card?

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 16 Apr 2013, 02:36
by BaconCatBug
Sure, just make the assets for them!

Re: HQ Card generator 9.x

PostPosted: 08 May 2013, 22:50
by smashervt
Hey there. I get no images when i run this program. I could not find any of the images when i downloaded it either. I know you said to download the zip but its no link just words?