the sick hack

[C.w.]

I've had this idea rolling about in my head a while now, and i've been a little sick the past few days, so i finally got a chance to play around with it.

I've noticed a lot of people who start comics don't really know much about html, and i got to thinking - most webcomic webpages are the same - why not just have a page to generate that basic html, and then choose a css file to use with it? It would make things pretty easy.

So, i present to you my stupid little Comic Genesis webpage creator.

I couldn't think of any decent designs in my state, so i hope Ping Teo doesn't mind that i converted her templates.

Note that it's still in beta, so you'll have to ignore the rough edges. There are probably more than a few bugs, and it's got a fairly small feature list. Eventually, i'll code up the section to make the pages you can link to - archive, gallery, links, ect.

Basically to use it you just fill out the form, then copy and paste the html. After that, you go to the CSS page, pick out a template, download it, and then upload the whole kit'n'kaboodle. You only need to input a title and if you want your navigation above the comic or below it (or both) - the rest is purely optional, and if you don't click it it's not added. As far as options go, i tried to keep it simple and still have the options that most webcomics implement.

I figure there must be a few people around who are handy with css - if you want to make a template go right ahead - just realize that you'll have to add code for the other pages eventually, although it shouldn't be too much of a problem. (edit - finished the other pages bit.)

[Rkolter]

... didn't work. Maybe it's me. I hate being the first poster.

[Swikan]

That's pretty snazzy! It worked for me.

I would like to have a preview button, tho!

[C.w.]

Are you using Internet Explorer? I just found a bug in IE. It seems to work fine in firefox and opera though. (edit - found said bug. Should be fixed as soon as ftp quits being silly.)

As for a preview, i'm not sure how to implement it, and i'm not sure you'd want it in the html generator part (first page). The naked HTML looks well, pretty awful. The css (second page) part has samples though.

[Kilre]

That's really cool! Wish you'd made this before I started out, then I wouldn't have had to stumble my way through Ping Teo's template.

I can see this as an invaluable first tool for those getting into their first pages and comics!

[Kirb]

That's a nifty little tool you've made there.
I'm sure it'll help a ton of the people who've just started out.
Good job, dood.

[PF27]

Very Nice. ;D

[Rkolter]

Are you using Internet Explorer? I just found a bug in IE. It seems to work fine in firefox and opera though. (edit - found said bug. Should be fixed as soon as ftp quits being silly.)

Yup, and cool.

[Garneta]

Well, I have Jim to help me with my html...but if I didn't, I'm sure I'd be more than glad to have that tool!

[Dracomax]

honestly, I'd really rather learn how to hand code css. First, of course, i need to master frames and divs, but...

Of course, I have the desire to use image-ready to create a graphical interface for the site eventually too. because that would be pretty.

[Phalanx]

I couldn't think of any decent designs in my state, so i hope Ping Teo doesn't mind that i converted her templates.

*Mystically de-lurks*

Nope, I don't mind at all. In fact, nice job! Always wanted to do something like that, but never had the time. Glad to see someone took it up!

ps: Hm... this does reminds me I had that Winterleaves template I never did finish making...

*wraps self back in a shroud of lurk*

[Rkolter]

I couldn't think of any decent designs in my state, so i hope Ping Teo doesn't mind that i converted her templates.

*Mystically de-lurks*

Nope, I don't mind at all. In fact, nice job! Always wanted to do something like that, but never had the time. Glad to see someone took it up!

ps: Hm... this does reminds me I had that Winterleaves template I never did finish making...

*wraps self back in a shroud of lurk*

Holy crap, PING SIGHTING!!!

Hi Phalanx!

Phalanx taught me how to draw slugs.

[C.w.]

honestly, I'd really rather learn how to hand code css. First, of course, i need to master frames and divs, but...

Actually, this would most likely be a pretty good way to learn CSS - you've got two example CSS files and a fairly well (if i do say so myself) marked up bunch of HTML. The beauty of CSS is that you can take one page and make it beautiful (aww) a hundred different ways.

With that i'll note that i was again sick today, so the html generator saw the final overhaul i think i'll do - the rest will most likely be bugfixes and writing a couple more CSS files. (edit - just added two more, (well, one is actually just a dark version of the other - i'm not sure how to deal with that - how many color schemes is too many?) they'll show up whenever the update goes through - it's always busy this time of day.)

Also, i wrote up a little intro page so people aren't confounded when they first go to it.

NEW STUFFS.

Questions, comments, thoughts and criticisims always appriciated (just remember it's in beta still.)

[Fennex]

I must say I really like this idea. A quick and easy way to prettify the basic template is the biggest missing feature on ComicGenesis. I'd love to see this grow into a mature page generator.

Would you mind if I ran with this idea. I think I know of a way to get that preview thing working. And I might even be able to figure out a more elegant way to handle different color schemes.

[C.w.]

Would you mind if I ran with this idea. I think I know of a way to get that preview thing working. And I might even be able to figure out a more elegant way to handle different color schemes.

Go right ahead - i don't really have a whole lot of time to work on it now that i'm better and back to work.

I didn't do HTML preview because it would have taken a lot of time, but also because it just looks silly. If you generate a page and load up the HTML in a browser without one of the CSS files it looks really really boring and doesn't really tell one anything they didn't know if they had simply looked at what they had checked.

The best way would be to implement the HTML preview would be in conjunction with the CSS preview, but i didn't really feel like it would help anyone all that much for how much work it would be.

The CSS colors thing was really just me being stupid - a dropdown box or something would be fairly simple, and with some simple JS one could even have custom color schemes - it would also mean that you couldn't just download the file, plus all the CSS would have to be reworked into usable JS.

The major thing thst needs work isn't really the generator, it's the layout and text within the generator - it should really read more like a tutorial with simple step by step instructions and easy to follow language, as the thing is generally targeted toward those who are less technically gifted.

Anyone who wants to can feel free to work on it, do bugfixes, whatever - i'd be more than happy to see it evolve into something easily usable by a neophyte - just beware the the code is sort of gangly. If you need help getting up to speed with the code just email or PM me and i'll help.

Even if you're not technical enough to write code you can still help if you want to. Feature requests, bug reports, even just saying how your experience was - it all helps.

[Prettysenshi]

Damn. That's some snazzy stuff right there, cw!! Awesome way to make your statement in the forums! I think you should copyright this though, cuz it's a really good idea. Before those "other" webcomic communities get there hands on it. lol.

awesome stuff. kudos.
Heck, I think I'm gonna use it on my site.
Someone link this page in the wiki.

[Fennex]

I'm being overly ambitious again and just started rewriting everything from scratch for greater flexibility.

This is mostly just a proof of concept for the style sheet selector. It lacks most of the options that were in cw's version, and those that are in there most likely don't work properly. Spelling, grammar and overall page layout are terrible at best.

Comicgenesis page generator version 0.0.0.1 BETA

[Swikan]

This is GREAT! I was just hunting this thread to recommend to someone in the help forum.

Like the updated one VERY much!

[Tynan]

Woooo hawtsome stuff!

[Fennex]

I said I would run with the idea, but after an early beta I just kind of moved on.

But now, after more than a year I finally have something workable. It even has download buttons for the files.
ComicGenesis website generator with live css preview.