Cypher Sheet Creator

A Python application that converts formatted character sheet text files into stylish, clean, and professional PDFs with an efficient modern layout.

Features

• Smart Parsing: Extracts all character information from structured text files
• Professional Layout: Creates beautiful, multi-section character sheets
• Modern Compact Design: Landscape layout with tight margins, two-column flow, and minimal wasted space
• Batch Processing: Convert multiple character sheets at once
• Customizable: Easy to extend with additional styling or sections

Project Structure

cypher_sheet_creator/
├── main.py              # Main entry point
├── requirements.txt     # Python dependencies
├── examples/            # Sample character sheet files
└── src/
    ├── __init__.py
    ├── parser.py        # Text file parsing logic
    └── pdf_generator.py # PDF generation and styling

Installation

1. Create a virtual environment:

python -m venv venv
venv\Scripts\activate  # Windows
source venv/bin/activate  # Linux/Mac

2. Install dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

python main.py

This processes all .txt files in the examples/ directory and writes PDFs to output/.

Choose a different input/output

You can point the tool at any folder of .txt files, or a single .txt file, and choose a custom output directory:

# Directory of sheets
python main.py --input /path/to/my_sheets

# Single file
python main.py --input /path/to/my_sheets/character.txt

# Custom output directory
python main.py --input /path/to/my_sheets --output /path/to/exports

# Optional pattern when input is a directory
python main.py --input /path/to/my_sheets --pattern "*_final.txt"

### Debug mode (optional)

By default, no debug assets are produced. To create PNG previews and whitespace metrics for layout tuning, enable debug mode:

```bash
python main.py --debug

When debug is enabled, PNGs are written to <output>/png_debug/ and temporary PDFs to <output>/_debug_pdf/.

### Layout notes

- Output is landscape Letter by default with compact margins (0.3").
- The top band includes the character name, a concise descriptor line, and a compact attributes row.
- Content flows in two columns (60/40 split) with denser spacing to reduce page count and empty areas.
- Section headers are understated; long sections wrap and split across columns/pages cleanly.

## Character Sheet Format

The application expects text files with the following structure:

[Name] is a [Descriptor] [Type] who/with [Focus] with a [Flavor] Flavor in a [World] world

[Attributes Section] Might: ______ Pool: 13 Edge: 1 Defense: Practiced ...

[Special Abilities] [Name] [Description]

[Skills] [Name] ([Level]) [Description]

[Attacks] [Name] [Description]

[Cyphers] [Name] (Level [X], [Type]) [Description]

[Equipment]

• [Item]

[Background] [Section] [Content]

[Notes] [Section] [Content]

## Dependencies

- **reportlab**: PDF generation
- **pillow**: Image handling

## License

MIT