Card Layout Script

Card Layout Script (CLS) is a language for designing cards. Cards are described as layouts that get rendered by the CLS Renderer, available below.

Use CLS to make cards and tokens for print-n-play games, prototype board games, video games, or just to jazz up your favorite TTRPG.

CLS was made because the two main card programs I used both felt lacking. The venerable nanDECK can do most anything, but the opaque syntax and the clinical documentation make it a hard to learn. The WYSIWYG CardMaker is easy to use, but it's limitations felt stifling at times.  So I made a program that did what I wanted it to, and added some other handy features along the way. Current features

• Data is pulled from CSV files, either as exported from something like Excel or LibreOffice or even written directly, and combined with layouts to make multiple cards with the same look but different text and images.
•  Powerful placement system allowing you to locate an item from any edge, easily center things, and position things relative to another, all of which is rotation aware
• Units for numbers are built into the syntax, as well as fractions, allowing you to use things like 1/3in and the renderer knows what you mean
• Rich text in the form of HTML, so you can bold, italicize, and even include images
• Image and SVG support, the latter allowing you to specify items by id instead of the whole document
• A system of macros that allow you to change any property on any part of a card on a per card basis, with functions for math, string manipulation, and conditions among others
• Cards can be exported to PDF for home printing, textures for Table Top Simulator, or individual images
• Everything is thoroughly documented, and if something isn't clear enough just ask and I'll gladly clarify

Documentation for getting started with CSL can be found here.

CLS isn't an editor, it's just a programming language and a Renderer, there is however a plugin for VS Code to provide syntax highlighting, that you can look at here. Templates for The Game Crafter are also provided, and can help you get started.

CLS is a continuous work in progress and I'm always thinking of what else I can put into it. Feel free to drop a feature request in the forum below