Firehawk Games
Firehawk Games RPG Products => Novus RPG => Topic started by: imported_Rasyr on March 28, 2014, 04:57:04 PM
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Recently, over on rpg.net there was a discussion regarding the 2 column format of PDFs.
Now, I will likely never stop with the 2 column format, I thought that it might be a good idea to see how a digest-sized version (i.e. 6" x 9") would work out.
One of my reasons for doing this is because of the increasing popularity of 7" tablets, and of how things look on it, especially the larger (8.5" x 11") PDFs.
So what I would like is to hear a little bit of feedback about what you think of the idea of offering Novus in a digest format. Also, I would like to get one or two folks who already have Novus, and who happen to have a 7" tablet to perhaps beta test this new format to tell me how it compares on that size tablet with the full sized version you already have.
Note: I am actually announcing this post to all forum members, so please respond by coming to the forums and responding to the thread. Also, I will post a couple of sample pages in another post to this thread.
Thanks!
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Here are a few sample pages....
Note that I am still page-making the digest version and that it is currently at 207 pages, which will likely still grow as I add images back into it and get it properly formatted....
[attachment[/attachment]
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I use a 10 inch tablet and 6 inch phone, this format looks great on my phone. I really like it.
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I always thought that the Lamentations of the Flame Princess PDFs would look great on a tablet (they use A4 I believe). I have yet to get a tablet though.
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In general I am in favour of the single column, as double format is annoying on an iPad and that is the primary way I consume RPGs these days.
Having looked at the samples you provide up above, I think a little more tailoring would improve them still further. Certainly, it is tricky to quickly read text when it spans the full width of the page - I would suggest a point or two of space between each line to make it easier for your eye to track.
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full size ipad? or ipad mini? On a full size, I think that the 2 column format of the larger more print-like PDFs is more appropriate. On an ipad mini (or kindle, or nook tablet/color/HD), the digest format might be more appropriate....
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I'm on a full-size iPad. It ultimately depends on the size of the text and boarders; if detail is small so you have to zoom in for easy reading then the double-column format is a real pain.
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true as well
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I have a full-size iPad, and I don't mind the two-column format, and I would prefer it if it came down to a choice between them.
Edit: I know you mentioned that it wouldn't, I'm just mentioning my preference. (http:///smile.gif)
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I have a Nook HD. I have tried pdfs for games on it with limited success in the past. I will be testing your samples most likely this weekend.
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I have a full-size iPad, and I don't mind the two-column format, and I would prefer it if it came down to a choice between them.
Edit: I know you mentioned that it wouldn't, I'm just mentioning my preference. (http:///smile.gif)
The 8.5 x 11, 2 column format will not go away because of the simple fact that that is the format used for making print products. So no worries there.
I have a Nook HD. I have tried pdfs for games on it with limited success in the past. I will be testing your samples most likely this weekend.
I have the Nook Tablet myself (came out between the nook color and the nook HD), and I am running N2A on it, and I think that the PDF I am creating for this is turning out pretty well on it. But I definitely want to hear your feedback as well how good it looks for you on yours.
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Loaded it up on my Nook HD and it displayed nicely. When I had it vertical it displayed one page that covered the width of the screen and had only a little unused screen space on top and bottom. Zoom worked and when I turned it sideways it displayed two pages.
When I had it vertical with one page it was a pretty good font size to read. For me I wouldn't mind it being a shade bigger on the font, but I have old eyes. If you decide to convert all the rules and Libram's to this format I would definitely be interested. Good job.
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Update......
Okay, initial page-making is complete. I have the entirety of the text layed out, and I have added more art along the way as well, so make sure things break across pages a bit more properly.
Things left to do
- Page References -- all those "See p. xx" have to be connected to the proper page where the referred to text can be found.
- Table of Contents -- While this can be generated almost automatically, I still have to go through and clean it up. This is will be done after the next item on the list.
- Character Sheet -- Since I am putting the book into a 6x9 format, I figure that I need to do the same for the character sheet (and yes, that will mean that I will need to create a seperate sheet and even semi-automate it like I have done with the full size version as well. I think that the result will be interesting but also challenging to do as well.
- Index -- I have to go through and completely create a new index (not a hard task, just potentially time consuming).
- Cover -- I have to create a proper-sized cover for this as well.
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And here I thought that the Character Sheet would be the hardest part...
The Digest-sized character sheet is complete...
Check it out (yes, I will eventually make a fillable form version).
[attachment[/attachment]
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That looks great on my phone. Keep up the great work.
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Character sheet done
TOC done
page references done
index -- formatting (75% done)
only thing left after the index is the cover....
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Done!
Basically, all I have left to do is to insert the front and back covers into the PDF, and then save it. Then simply upload it to RPGNow for sale.
The Digest-sized version is going to be same price and functionality as is found in the Deluxe version (bookmarks, internal hyperlinks, plenty of art, full index, etc.).
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that was done super quick.
Is there a plan to eventually take the Librams and incorporate them into the digest version?
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Is there a plan to eventually take the Librams and incorporate them into the digest version?
If the Digest version of Novus does okay, I may go ahead and reformat the Librams as well... While I actually got it done fairly quickly, it was a LOT of work, so I want to be sure that it will be worth it to put in that effort before I get too far along (i.e. give it a week or two, and then I will actually make a decision)
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Took a look at Libram Novus #1 this morning... Wow.... I am sooo unclear on some things in that product....
If I rework it, I would need to actually rewrite it a bit to clarify things better.... (which would also mean redoing the main PDF as well, once I had things fixed up...
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I wanted to chime in that I really like the digest format for PDF viewing, and I like it in print as well. Personally I'm hoping to see the Liberi Novus as well. In fact, my ideal would be to put the collected libram novus books into one digest sized book in print and PDF, and see the digest format available as a print copy too. I'd order 2 of each (one for me, one for the group) if that happened.
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That is a really good thing to hear. Makes me lean more towards digest versions.
I will now definitely be looking into RPGNow's digest printing capabilities.
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I'm so anti technology that I read digest and think food...
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well, think 7" tablet-sized, as that is what I am actually referring to... (for the most part)...
If you have a print copy of the old ICE product, Nightmares of Mine, that is basically the size we are talking about..
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I know i was just joking...but 7" is a personal pizza....part of the reason I am still playing RPGs is to step away from technology as entertainment and get back to a face to face social environment. I find that is the appeal for many of the newer players as well
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Quite possibly true, but I also believe in providing as many ways for a potential customer to acquire the product in a format to suit them (if I could ever get a decent epub version put together, I would release that as well.. heheh)
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Absolutely- as a tool its great!