What a character is
Lives in: characters/<id>/
A character is a folder whose name is the id (hana). The script uses that id for speakers (HANA:) and stage directions ([hana left]). Folders and file names: Pictures, sound, and folders.
The simple path
characters/hana/
hana.png
hana_happy.png
[hana left fade 0.4]
[hana happy left]
[hana hide]
HANA [happy]:
Good morning.
| Rule | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Folder name | Character id (case-insensitive in the script) |
hana.png / hana_default.png | Default look |
hana_happy.png | Expression happy |
| No JSON required | Enough for a first game |
HANA [happy]: both speaks and stages that expression. Bracket lines show, move, or hide without a line of dialogue — Stage directions.
What comes next in this part
| Page | When you need it |
|---|---|
| Expressions and packs | Layered art, pack root / ui, char_pack, tint / shader / bind |
| Expression fades | Soft swaps between looks (vs show/hide fade) |
| Talking and focus | Mouths, silent lines, focus / choice drive |
| Places on stage | Slots, layouts, above/behind the dialogue box |
| Motion and frames | Flipbook layers; idle / 3D still early |
Props and backgrounds are not characters — The stage.
Usually you need
| Want | Do |
|---|---|
| Add a person | Folder + default PNG |
| Show them | [hana left] |
| Change look | hana_happy.png + HANA [happy]: or [hana happy left] |