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Guide:Tools for Drafting a VN

JonKeevy — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:30:13 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:30, 20 October 2026
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	{{guide\|Alaric and formatted by [[User:Ironforpistons\|Iron]]}}		{{guide\|Alaric and formatted by [[User:Ironforpistons\|Iron]]}}

	This guide is a list of tools/software ~~to use when~~ drafting (writing) a visual novel. ~~Several of them~~ are ~~specifically~~ designed ~~to handle~~ branching ~~narratives. You'll want software that is comfortable to use, syncs and/or backs up your data at regular intervals~~.		This guide is a list of tools/software useful for drafting (writing) a visual novel. Tools that are explicitly designed for interactive fiction and branching narrative can be found on the main [[Visual_novel_engine\|Narrative_engines_&_middleware]] page.

	~~Many writing softwares have some behaivors~~ that ~~are unhelpful~~ or ~~undesirable to visual novel writers:~~		You'll want software that is comfortable to use, and syncs and/or backs up your data at regular intervals.

	# Smart quotes, sometimes called curly quotes, cause problems when scripting and are generally a ~~nusiacne~~ to deal with, especially if you script in Visual Studio Code or a text editor afterwards, which do not support them		Many writing programmes have behaviours that are unhelpful or undesirable to visual novel writers:

			# Smart quotes, sometimes called curly quotes, cause problems when scripting and are generally a nuisance to deal with, especially if you script in Visual Studio Code or a text editor afterwards, which do not support them
	# Some software replaces triple periods (...) with a special ellipsis character (…). This doesn't look as good when VNs print text characters letter by letter.		# Some software replaces triple periods (...) with a special ellipsis character (…). This doesn't look as good when VNs print text characters letter by letter.

	== Writing Software ==		== Writing Software ==
			----
	=== Google Docs ===		=== Google Docs ===
	{{main\|Google Docs}}		{{main\|Google Docs}}
	Google Docs is free, allows easy collaboration, and has basic formatting and built-in sharing/~~commmenting~~ capabilities for co-writers, editors, and beta readers. Additionally, there's no need to worry about backups since it is all ~~automacially~~ synced on Google's servers for free.		Google Docs is free, allows easy collaboration, and has basic formatting and built-in sharing/commenting capabilities for co-writers, editors, and beta readers. Additionally, there's no need to worry about backups since it is all automatically synced on Google's servers for free.
	'''Tips:''' Disable smart quotes by going to Tools > Preferences > and selecting "use smart quotes". You can also use a browser extension that makes it into an unofficial "Dark Mode".
			'''Tips:'''
			* Disable smart quotes by going to Tools > Preferences > and selecting "use smart quotes". You can also use a browser extension that makes it into an unofficial "Dark Mode".

	The Google AI features can be disabled by going into Gmail, clicking on the gear on the top right corner, clicking "see all settings". Then, in the General tab you scroll down until you see "Smart Features" and untick "turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet". [https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-disable-the-gemini-ai-features-in-gmail-and-google-docs/ Here's a WIRED article with more information.]		The Google AI features can be disabled by going into Gmail, clicking on the gear on the top right corner, clicking "see all settings". Then, in the General tab you scroll down until you see "Smart Features" and untick "turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet". [https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-disable-the-gemini-ai-features-in-gmail-and-google-docs/ Here's a WIRED article with more information.]

	=== ~~Twine~~ ===		=== Obsidian ===
	[https://~~twinery~~.~~org~~/ Link to ~~Twine~~]		----
			[https://obsidian.md/ Link to Obsidian]

			'''Uses:'''
			* Knowledge management
			* Project management
			* Word-processing and editing

	~~Twine~~ is free and ~~lightweight~~ with ~~browser and desktop versions available~~. ~~Fantastic for visualizing choices, building flowcharts~~, and ~~even making interactive games. Low skill barrier~~, ~~you~~ can ~~make it~~ as ~~fancy or~~ as ~~simple as you want~~.		Obsidian is a primarily knowledge management system. It is free and extremely customisable with a vast catalogue of community-made plugins. Obsidian's standard free base stores everything locally. Syncing, publishing and collaborating are premium services, but can also be done with services like Github, Dropbox, etc. as well as some plugins.
	'~~''Tips:'''~~
			Obsidian's notes are built around markdown files with versatile linking between documents.

	~~===~~ Obsidian ~~===~~		Recommendations for Obsidian often bear the caveat: "Has a learning curve" which, while true, undersells the system's value. Obsidian's learning curve is infinite, the degree to which it is customisable is limited only by the user and the community.
	~~[https~~:~~//obsidian~~.~~md/ Link~~ to ~~Obsidian]~~

	~~Free version available~~. ~~Has~~ a ~~learning curve, but~~ can be ~~a powerful tool for worldbuilding, note taking, and even choice planning~~.		Most valuable tools:
	'''~~Tips:~~'''		* Local, background saving
			* Non-proprietary, open file formats
			* Knowledge mapping with flowchart and canvas tools
			* Direct file management
			* Extremely customisable
			* To Do and Kanbans
			[[File:Obsidian Knowledge Mapping example.png\|thumb]]
			==== Tips: ====
			* '''Use Obsidian as the project manager'''
			** Obsidian "vaults" are the highest level folder the user delegates to Obsidian.
			** A vault can contain the location of a game project.
			** This means that the project management can be directly linked to the project.
			* '''Essential Plugins'''
			** Custom file extensions
			*** Allows Obsidian to edit .rpy files directly.
			** Tasks, Task Reminder, and Kanban
			** Excalidraw
			** File Tree Alternative

	=== Scrivener ===		=== Scrivener ===
			----
	{{main\|Scrivener}}		{{main\|Scrivener}}

	Must be purchased, but has a generous 30 day trial and education pricing. Scrivener is a text editor with massive organizational capability and has a large foothold in the traditional publishing space. Small learning curve, but there is a free Scrivener [https://sapphicore.itch.io/visual-novel-scrivener-template visual novel ~~outling~~ template here] made by Jordan.		Must be purchased, but has a generous 30 day trial and education pricing. Scrivener is a text editor with massive organizational capability and has a large foothold in the traditional publishing space. Small learning curve, but there is a free Scrivener [https://sapphicore.itch.io/visual-novel-scrivener-template visual novel outline template here] made by Jordan.

	'''Tips:''' Disable smart quotes and change ellipses ~~behaivor~~ by going to File > Options > Corrections, and then unticking "use smart quotes" and "replace triple periods with ellipses (...)". It is highly ~~reccomended~~ to ONLY use Dropbox (free version is fine or certain cloud sync solutions for Scrivener, as Google Drive breaks the Scrivener file structure. [https://scrivener.tenderapp.com/help/kb/cloud-syncing/using-scrivener-with-cloud-sync-services See more info here.]		'''Tips:'''
			Disable smart quotes and change ellipses behaviour by going to File > Options > Corrections, and then unticking "use smart quotes" and "replace triple periods with ellipses (...)". It is highly recommended to ONLY use Dropbox (free version is fine or certain cloud sync solutions for Scrivener, as Google Drive breaks the Scrivener file structure. [https://scrivener.tenderapp.com/help/kb/cloud-syncing/using-scrivener-with-cloud-sync-services See more info here.]

	Scrivener does save to .rtf files, but in a certain structure. There is an iOS app and Mac app, but no Linux app or Android app.		Scrivener does save to .rtf files, but in a certain structure. There is an iOS app and Mac app, but no Linux app or Android app.

	~~== Other Tools To Help With Planning A Visual Novel ==~~

			== Tools for Planning a Visual Novel ==
			----
	=== Notion ===		=== Notion ===
	Free version is available, but is limited. Very powerful planning tool that can be shared with teams. Has a moderate learning curve, but can be used for project management and script planning alike.		Free version is available, but is limited. Very powerful planning tool that can be shared with teams. Has a moderate learning curve, but can be used for project management and script planning alike.

	=== Spreadsheets ===		=== Spreadsheets ===
	LibreOffice, Microsoft Excel, and Google Sheets are all popular spreadsheet ~~softwares~~. Branching choices can be planned with some effort by putting choices/scenes/etc. in cells. Works well for script comments for voice actor direction, and project planning as well.		LibreOffice, Microsoft Excel, and Google Sheets are all popular spreadsheet programmes. Branching choices can be planned with some effort by putting choices/scenes/etc. in cells. Works well for script comments for voice actor direction, and project planning as well.

	=== Pen and Paper ===		=== Pen and Paper ===
	Shout out to doing it old school! Sticky notes, notebooks, ~~corkboards—whatever~~ works best for your process can help with outlining and writing your complete script ~~alike~~.		Shout out to doing it old school! Sticky notes, notebooks, corkboards — whatever works best for your process can help with outlining and writing your complete script.

	[[Category:Narrative]]		[[Category:Narrative]]
	[[Category:Software used in visual novel development]]		[[Category:Software used in visual novel development]]

File:Obsidian Knowledge Mapping example.png

JonKeevy — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 09:20:25 GMT

JonKeevy uploaded File:Obsidian Knowledge Mapping example.png

New page

Obsidian's canvas feature can map relationships between project files by direct reference. In this example a core gameplay loop is illustrated and the relevant .rpy files are linked.

Guide:Naninovel Visual Novels on Steam

Robotortoise — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 04:13:19 GMT

This is a very basic article and it sucks but it is here. It will be filled out! YAYYYYYY

New page

{{guide|[[User:Robotortoise|Robotortoise]]}}
{{expand article|Explain all of this in-depth and provide examples and specific values of what the depots and settings should be configured to.}}

This guide is [[Guide:Ren'Py_visual_novels_on_Steam/Upload|based off of the guide on uploading Ren'py games to Steam.]] Naninovel is made in Unity, so it requires slightly different prepwork than Ren'Py.

The differences between Ren'Py and Steam uploading are the following:

# Steam Cloud Saves
# Discrete Windows, Linux, and (optionally, if Apple fee is paid) Mac builds and depots
# Achivements in Nainovel

==Steam Cloud Saves==
Here's how to set up Steam Cloud saves and the exact settings you need to use.

==Depot Builds & App Launcher Setup==
Here's how to set up the depot builds and the app launcher settings.

==Setting up Achievements==
Here's how to set up achievements:

You call the associated Steamworks API. To expose this to NaniScripts, use a custom command: https://naninovel.com/guide/custom-commands#adding-custom-command (or you can override the built-in @unlock command to make it also open a steam achievement)

Unity Github link is [https://github.com/rlabrecque/steamworks.net here]

Guide:Ren'Py visual novels on Steam/Store page

Robotortoise — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 03:55:38 GMT

Client Icon

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:55, 16 October 2026
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	Again, note that the Community Icon can be automatically generated from the [[#Client Icon\|Client Icon]], if you don’t want to generate it manually.		Again, note that the Community Icon can be automatically generated from the [[#Client Icon\|Client Icon]], if you don’t want to generate it manually.
	==Client Icon==		==Client Icon==

			[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8MZVvCIEc8 Note: This video is a good tutorial for setting up a high-quality .ico file using GIMP for your Ren'py executable as well as your Steam client.] This .ico file should be placed at the base of the Ren'py directory (with log.txt and project.json) as well as uploaded to Steam.

	You can generate the client icons (as well as the Community Icon in the [[#Community Images\|Community Images]] section) automatically from an ico file. However, note that the ico file you generated for your Ren’Py game will likely not work for this purpose, as it must be an ico file containing a 32x32px image, which is likely smaller than your existing ico file.		You can generate the client icons (as well as the Community Icon in the [[#Community Images\|Community Images]] section) automatically from an ico file. However, note that the ico file you generated for your Ren’Py game will likely not work for this purpose, as it must be an ico file containing a 32x32px image, which is likely smaller than your existing ico file.

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	You can also upload your icon.icns file from your game as the Mac icon.		You can also upload your icon.icns file from your game as the Mac icon.

	==Common Reviewer Complaints==		==Common Reviewer Complaints==
	The Steam review process is both thorough and haphazard. These are things you should watch out for that Steam will care about:		The Steam review process is both thorough and haphazard. These are things you should watch out for that Steam will care about:

Naming a game

Robotortoise — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 03:41:49 GMT

create redirect

New page

#REDIRECT [[Guide:Choosing_a_title]]

Guide:Tools for Drafting a VN

Robotortoise — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 03:31:53 GMT

I added a lot of data and tips. Please add more! Draw the rest of the owl!

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{guide|Alaric and formatted by [[User:Ironforpistons|Iron]]}}
-This guide is a list of tools/software to use when drafting (writing) a visual novel. Several of them are specifically designed to handle branching narratives.
+This guide is a list of tools/software to use when drafting (writing) a visual novel. Several of them are specifically designed to handle branching narratives. You'll want software that is comfortable to use, syncs and/or backs up your data at regular intervals.
-* [http://docs.google.com/ Google Docs] - Free. Easy to share for scripts, with basic formatting and built-in comment capabilities for co-writers, editors, and beta readers.
+Many writing softwares have some behaivors that are unhelpful or undesirable to visual novel writers:
-* [https://twinery.org/ Twine] - Free and lightweight, browser and desktop versions available. Fantastic for visualizing choices, building flowcharts, and even making interactive games. Low skill barrier, you can make it as fancy or as simple as you want.
-* [https://obsidian.md/ Obsidian] - Free version available. Has a learning curve, but can be a powerful tool for worldbuilding, note taking, and even choice planning.
+# Smart quotes, sometimes called curly quotes, cause problems when scripting and are generally a nusiacne to deal with, especially if you script in Visual Studio Code or a text editor afterwards, which do not support them
-* [https://notion.so/ Notion] - Free version is available, but is limited. Very powerful planning tool that can be shared with teams. Has a moderate learning curve, but can be used for project management and script planning alike.
+# Some software replaces triple periods (...) with a special ellipsis character (…). This doesn't look as good when VNs print text characters letter by letter.
-* [https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview Scrivener] - Must be bought. Coupons are commonly given as prizes for completing NaNoWriMo. Robust text editor with massive organizational capability. Small learning curve. Cannot be easily edited by others.
-* Spreadsheets - I use LibreOffice (a free and open source software) but Microsoft Excel is also popular. Branching choices can be planned with some effort by putting choices/scenes/etc. in cells. Works well for script comments for voice actor direction, and project planning as well.
+== Writing Software ==
-* Pen and Paper - Shout out to doing it old school. Sticky notes, notebooks, corkboards--whatever works best for your process can help with outlining and writing your complete script alike.
 [[Category:Narrative]]
 [[Category:Software used in visual novel development]]

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