Query for Game Designers - What software do you use to write?

Tod13 · August 25, 2016, 09:32:16 AM

Quote from: Aracaris;915276Oh, Acrobat is a different beast from the rest of Adobe's stuff, and, best to avoid using it for anything aside from just looking at/reading PDFs whenever possible. When it comes to editing it sucks big time for anything beyond tiny text changes. For any actual layout... no, just don't.

But similar to how InDesign sucks less than the other layout programs, Acrobat sucks less than the other form-fillable PDF programs, of which there aren't any.

And I've used Adobe's other products, just not as much, and feel the same comment is true. Adobe products don't seem aimed at a computer using audience. Even the people I know who know how to use Photoshop and Illustrator think those programs are weird.

Willmark · August 25, 2016, 03:29:52 PM

Fact is Adobe crams in a lot of crap that people never touch. Best photoshop guy I've ever met estimates he uses maybe 25% of it.

I've got mixed feelings about it, I don't design anymore but used to use InDesign for years before moving to IT.

Acrobat (full version) one can live without largely unless in the print world, Illustrator, meh..

Onix · August 26, 2016, 03:24:18 PM

I'm a cheapskate so I never sprung for InDesign. I've been using Apple Pages, which used to have some good layout tools. They updated the program though and destroyed it.

I still have my old versions but I really need to move to something better.

I do have a copy of acrobat that I use for print and to reduce pdf file sizes.

soltakss · August 27, 2016, 04:53:21 PM

MS Word. I tried using Open Office but hated how it did worked. Fortunately, I don't do my own layout, so pass it onto someone else who uses magic to turn it into a book.

Warlord Ralts · August 28, 2016, 07:31:38 PM

Scrivener for the project outline. Word for the text itself. Excel for tables. CC2 for maps. InDesign for layouut.

Krimson · August 29, 2016, 12:13:39 PM

Quote from: Warlord Ralts;915907Scrivener for the project outline. Word for the text itself. Excel for tables. CC2 for maps. InDesign for layouut.

Well I do have Campaign Cartographer so I'll probably use it for some maps. The city itself may be a challenge though since it's a modern city.

J.L. Duncan · August 30, 2016, 04:06:45 AM

I use a number 2 pencil and lined paper on a spiral. I'm very good with these tools.
MS Office is what I have
InDesign is what I want.
I'm learning Inkscape right now for vector graphics it's not as good as illustrator/Photoshop, but its totally free. Google it.
I'll be purchasing an Eos touch pen (or whatever its called) here next week, as I get back into illustration.

We buy this stuff (apart from the pencil and paper) and never really learn it. These days that's a shame especially in the age of youtube and people posting up how to content for just about every software program under the sun. That's what I need to work on... Learning how to use what I have!

Onix · August 30, 2016, 05:48:33 AM

Quote from: J.L. Duncan;916138I'm learning Inkscape right now for vector graphics it's not as good as illustrator/Photoshop, but its totally free.

For some reason or another, I could never get Inkscape to launch. I've installed and uninstalled it a dozen times.

Warlord Ralts · August 30, 2016, 01:25:37 PM

Quote from: Krimson;916002Well I do have Campaign Cartographer so I'll probably use it for some maps. The city itself may be a challenge though since it's a modern city.

CC1 and CC2 both had modern city tiles.

I remember sneezing and smearing stoplights across half my map back when I was doing d20 Modern stuff.

Krimson · August 30, 2016, 03:14:41 PM

Quote from: Warlord Ralts;916223CC1 and CC2 both had modern city tiles.

I remember sneezing and smearing stoplights across half my map back when I was doing d20 Modern stuff.

It's challenging. I think the last time I tried I was cutting and pasting bits of Hong Kong and Singapore. I might try that again for scale and then maybe use Good ole Paint Shop Pro 7 to draw buildings in. The City Generator tool doesn't handle cities that size and I will kind of need some detail as it is pretty much the setting.

J.L. Duncan · August 31, 2016, 01:23:15 PM

Quote from: Onix;916157For some reason or another, I could never get Inkscape to launch. I've installed and uninstalled it a dozen times.

That sucks. It's not a bad program.

Warlord Ralts · August 31, 2016, 02:22:52 PM

Quote from: J.L. Duncan;916138InDesign is what I want.

They offer the older versions of Creative Suite for free. You could grab a perfectly functional CS2 or CS3 for free off the Adobe site.

estar · September 01, 2016, 09:41:13 AM

I used word for writing, and Indesign for layout but my secret weapon is a second (and recently a third) monitor in portrait mode.

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I use this monitor stand.

The portrait mode for writing a huge difference.

Also dual monitors are a huge productivity boost. Triple is ideal but four or more is overkill (and I tried this).

Note that the pictures show me using Corel DRAW when I was making the new CSIO map for Judges Guild.

Mark Plemmons · September 01, 2016, 12:42:54 PM

I use Word for writing, and QuarkXPress for layout. I have InDesign, but I've been using Quark professionally for over a decade, and when I want to do layout I want to do it 'right now'

, not have to learn as I go.

Krimson · September 01, 2016, 01:41:50 PM

@Estar I don't think I'll be getting a second or third monitor anytime soon. Though I've considered getting a Windows Tablet so I could run Fantasy Grounds and Hero Lab and use them for face to face games. If I got a big enough tablet with a decent keyboard then working in portrait mode would be easy enough.