August 7th, 2009
Romantic drama 101
Anime Relations: D.C.: Da Capo, Shuffle!, Air, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, Lamune, Kanon (2006), True Tears, Clannad, School Days, ef: A Tale of Memories., H2O: Footprints in the Sand, D.C.II S.S.: Da Capo II Second Season, Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka, D.C.if: Da Capo if
Started as a review for a shitty show, I realized I've been listing the points of what it's not to the point that it became easier to collect what it should be. This should give you an overview of your general romantic drama show, and a few things to look out when judging one.
Structure
As many things in life, romantic dramas have their structure, in most cases simply divided into two main sections: introduction/comedy/lightheartedness (Romance) and conflict/emotional struggle/resolution (Drama). The latter not always follows the first one, they can mix, switch back and forth and intervene.
Romantic comedy?
Romantic dramas sometimes get mixed up with romantic comedies, but there are several key differences. Most important, that in rom. dramas the balance between the lighthearted and drama parts can't be over 50-50. Even that 1:1 ratio is more common with harems, with 3 girls or less, the drama parts are usually very dominant.
In the case of romcoms, a dramatic turn only appears 1 or 2 eps before the final ep and it's usually an external conflict, unlike what we'll see with romantic dramas.
Another important thing that romcoms are generally episodic, while romantic dramas are more or less continues and/or work in arcs.
Last, different rules apply to the ending of romcoms and rom.dramas, but more on that later.
Note: in every blue moon a hybrid might appear and it usually sucks
I. Romance/Comedy/Introduction
Usually the first introduction section where we get to know the basic premise, relationship between the characters, also character archetypes and basic backgrounds.
In case of 3 or less girls this is usually no longer than 1 or 2 episodes, but could be as short as the first few minutes of episode 1. We get to know who's interested in who, people might even start dating, but it's more goofing around as they are still inexperienced and nervous. In a different approach, the first several episodes might get the main characters get along (if they did not from the premise) as an introduction arc before the later character arcs.
In case of harems, we usually get a longer lighthearted, comedy-filled period as we need time to get to know all the girls, their basic characterizations and backgrounds. This is the section where the one-guy-friend/comedic relief character can shine. Can take as long as 1/4 - 1/2 of the entire show.
II./1. The Transition
As the name suggests this is the transition between the comedy and drama parts. In several cases it can't be separated from the other parts but I still gave it its own big section.
This is the part where we slowly begin to notice that something is odd and off before we get to know the actual conflict. The only time we'll notice this part if the transition is too abrupt or too dragged out.
The first can be the bane of harems if we always jump to the next arc as soon as one is finished. Or regardless to the number of girls, after we have the winning (main) girl selected and everything smells like daisies, it turns out she's terminally ill without any previous signs.
Dragging out the transition is more common with 3 or less girls, when it takes so long to get to the conflict that we loose interest in it.
II./2. Handling the arcs
This a unique and harem-specific problem that I don't know where to put, but I still feel it needs to be mentioned. I already wrote about quick switches between arcs in the transition part, but I did not mention optimal handling.
In my personal opinion, the best case if the arcs are intervened, mixing and multi-layered, and none of them get completely solved too early, otherwise we only see that specific girl as long as her arc lasts (with a possible future cameo) or she's degraded into a side-character to root for the remaining team, which is imo the role of the one-guy-friend and the other side-characters.
Note that this is a matter of personal taste and a small detail compared to the following cases.
III./1. The Conflict
Unlike in the case of romcoms that have external conflicts ("I got kidnapped"), rom. dramas have internal conflicts ("I'm dying","We are blood-related", "I'm dying and we are blood-related").
What conflict needs is to be properly built up (see The Transition), and be solid, reasonable and logical from both a general and the character's stand point. If any of this fails, the drama backfires and with it, the show fails.
The characterization of the introduction section has a huge part in this, as a conflict might be reasonable, but not something that particular character would worry about or it doesn't go well with her/his background.
Harems mostly consist of several "local" character conflicts, and one final/main conflict. The main conflict can be a final point to choose between the girls or if one winning/main girl is already chosen, her arc conflict or a specific reason why they can't be together.
In 3 or less girls usually there is only a single complex conflict or one with new revolutions as the story progresses and most of the entire show evolves around it.
Note: just because we get to know a character and her background doesn't necessarily mean the start of her arc, or there can be multiple levels to it.
III./2. Depth of drama = depth of characters * depth of conflict?
Basically: yes. You need a solid and acceptable conflict that matches the character, and enough characterization to make you care, and this is where the results of the introduction and some of the transition part show once more. After that you can cry meh a river.
You can even hate a certain character, but if you don't understand her motives or don't care, no bucket of tears will get to you, even if it's Celion Dion is singing in the back.
If you have a proper character but she's in angst because of the stupidest things ever, the more she cries, the more ridiculous the show will get.
If there are paper thin characters crying over stupid shit, then you picked the wrong show.
III./3. Resolution
Everything comes to an end and angst is no different. However if we survived the transition, the conflict and all the crying in pain, the show might still fall to its face when it needs to resolve said conflict.
Local conflicts get solved by each of the characters with the support of the main lead, while the final conflict concerns and effects the main lead just as much and requires some level of character development and deciding on his part.
The Resolution, especially the final one, needs to have its own build up and logic, either with inner monologues or whatever way they see fit. If it has holes or they just pull something out of the hat, they might as well just roll over and die.
III./4. Ending
As mentioned at the start, endings are different for dramas as romcoms, reset endings and no-endings are very rare. Dramas instead have the general happy or sad ending, plus what I like to call half-assed happy ending.
While the first two is self-explanatory, half-assed happy ending when the creators like to do one more twist at the end, and we get shit like main girl dies, but years later she returns as a spirit. Or they reincarnate and meet in another life. Or something similar that might be natural in Buddhism, but I consider bullshit. It can be executed in a decent way, but it usually takes away more than it adds.
IV. So, who wins?
As hard it is to reinvent the genre every time, romantic dramas are more about the journey than the destination. However, we still like to know who wins the games as well as root to our favorite harem inmates. With that in mind, here are the 3 rules of romantic dramas:
I did not use wikipedia or anything to write this, only my fairly large experience with pieces of the genre, plus I admit at some points it is highly subjective. Please consider this before raging. Thx
Structure
As many things in life, romantic dramas have their structure, in most cases simply divided into two main sections: introduction/comedy/lightheartedness (Romance) and conflict/emotional struggle/resolution (Drama). The latter not always follows the first one, they can mix, switch back and forth and intervene.
Romantic comedy?
Romantic dramas sometimes get mixed up with romantic comedies, but there are several key differences. Most important, that in rom. dramas the balance between the lighthearted and drama parts can't be over 50-50. Even that 1:1 ratio is more common with harems, with 3 girls or less, the drama parts are usually very dominant.
In the case of romcoms, a dramatic turn only appears 1 or 2 eps before the final ep and it's usually an external conflict, unlike what we'll see with romantic dramas.
Another important thing that romcoms are generally episodic, while romantic dramas are more or less continues and/or work in arcs.
Last, different rules apply to the ending of romcoms and rom.dramas, but more on that later.
Note: in every blue moon a hybrid might appear and it usually sucks
I. Romance/Comedy/Introduction
Usually the first introduction section where we get to know the basic premise, relationship between the characters, also character archetypes and basic backgrounds.
In case of 3 or less girls this is usually no longer than 1 or 2 episodes, but could be as short as the first few minutes of episode 1. We get to know who's interested in who, people might even start dating, but it's more goofing around as they are still inexperienced and nervous. In a different approach, the first several episodes might get the main characters get along (if they did not from the premise) as an introduction arc before the later character arcs.
In case of harems, we usually get a longer lighthearted, comedy-filled period as we need time to get to know all the girls, their basic characterizations and backgrounds. This is the section where the one-guy-friend/comedic relief character can shine. Can take as long as 1/4 - 1/2 of the entire show.
II./1. The Transition
As the name suggests this is the transition between the comedy and drama parts. In several cases it can't be separated from the other parts but I still gave it its own big section.
This is the part where we slowly begin to notice that something is odd and off before we get to know the actual conflict. The only time we'll notice this part if the transition is too abrupt or too dragged out.
The first can be the bane of harems if we always jump to the next arc as soon as one is finished. Or regardless to the number of girls, after we have the winning (main) girl selected and everything smells like daisies, it turns out she's terminally ill without any previous signs.
Dragging out the transition is more common with 3 or less girls, when it takes so long to get to the conflict that we loose interest in it.
II./2. Handling the arcs
This a unique and harem-specific problem that I don't know where to put, but I still feel it needs to be mentioned. I already wrote about quick switches between arcs in the transition part, but I did not mention optimal handling.
In my personal opinion, the best case if the arcs are intervened, mixing and multi-layered, and none of them get completely solved too early, otherwise we only see that specific girl as long as her arc lasts (with a possible future cameo) or she's degraded into a side-character to root for the remaining team, which is imo the role of the one-guy-friend and the other side-characters.
Note that this is a matter of personal taste and a small detail compared to the following cases.
III./1. The Conflict
Unlike in the case of romcoms that have external conflicts ("I got kidnapped"), rom. dramas have internal conflicts ("I'm dying","We are blood-related", "I'm dying and we are blood-related").
What conflict needs is to be properly built up (see The Transition), and be solid, reasonable and logical from both a general and the character's stand point. If any of this fails, the drama backfires and with it, the show fails.
The characterization of the introduction section has a huge part in this, as a conflict might be reasonable, but not something that particular character would worry about or it doesn't go well with her/his background.
Harems mostly consist of several "local" character conflicts, and one final/main conflict. The main conflict can be a final point to choose between the girls or if one winning/main girl is already chosen, her arc conflict or a specific reason why they can't be together.
In 3 or less girls usually there is only a single complex conflict or one with new revolutions as the story progresses and most of the entire show evolves around it.
Note: just because we get to know a character and her background doesn't necessarily mean the start of her arc, or there can be multiple levels to it.
III./2. Depth of drama = depth of characters * depth of conflict?
Basically: yes. You need a solid and acceptable conflict that matches the character, and enough characterization to make you care, and this is where the results of the introduction and some of the transition part show once more. After that you can cry meh a river.
You can even hate a certain character, but if you don't understand her motives or don't care, no bucket of tears will get to you, even if it's Celion Dion is singing in the back.
If you have a proper character but she's in angst because of the stupidest things ever, the more she cries, the more ridiculous the show will get.
If there are paper thin characters crying over stupid shit, then you picked the wrong show.
III./3. Resolution
Everything comes to an end and angst is no different. However if we survived the transition, the conflict and all the crying in pain, the show might still fall to its face when it needs to resolve said conflict.
Local conflicts get solved by each of the characters with the support of the main lead, while the final conflict concerns and effects the main lead just as much and requires some level of character development and deciding on his part.
The Resolution, especially the final one, needs to have its own build up and logic, either with inner monologues or whatever way they see fit. If it has holes or they just pull something out of the hat, they might as well just roll over and die.
III./4. Ending
As mentioned at the start, endings are different for dramas as romcoms, reset endings and no-endings are very rare. Dramas instead have the general happy or sad ending, plus what I like to call half-assed happy ending.
While the first two is self-explanatory, half-assed happy ending when the creators like to do one more twist at the end, and we get shit like main girl dies, but years later she returns as a spirit. Or they reincarnate and meet in another life. Or something similar that might be natural in Buddhism, but I consider bullshit. It can be executed in a decent way, but it usually takes away more than it adds.
IV. So, who wins?
As hard it is to reinvent the genre every time, romantic dramas are more about the journey than the destination. However, we still like to know who wins the games as well as root to our favorite harem inmates. With that in mind, here are the 3 rules of romantic dramas:
I did not use wikipedia or anything to write this, only my fairly large experience with pieces of the genre, plus I admit at some points it is highly subjective. Please consider this before raging. Thx
Posted by Kvakond | Aug 7, 2009 9:04 AM | 0 comments
August 3rd, 2009
Previous profiles
Ghost in the Shell
Gunslinger Girl
Gunslinger Girl
Posted by Kvakond | Aug 3, 2009 8:06 AM | 2 comments
Private Entry
March 17th, 2009
Scoring
Instead of studying, watching some show or doing something creative I'll hereby do the most useless thing in modern existence: I'll blog.
Not covertly inspired by noteDhero's entries, here is: Scoring.
- First off, I mainly rate according to the level of entertainment, thus my ratings are screwed up and pretty inconsistent. Shows with low rating can have some good aspects, while highly rated shows have huge faults. The overall experience is what counts.
- Second, I never change ratings later even if I did something in the heat of the moment that I later regret.
- Third, sometimes I try to be objective. So even though what was stated in the first point, the ratings not always show how much I care about a series.
- And last, while emotional attachment can add an extra point or two, disappointment will cost a lot. I hate to be disappointed.
1 - Unwatchable (Unknown depths of hell)
I have yet to see anything that deserved the ultimate mark of epic fail. Here belongs the visual representation of the Anti-Christ that lacks any and all positive aspects beyond the point of annoyance and closer to disgust. I'm thinking of watching Mars of Destruction as many say that it gives you an idea and context on what a 1/10 should look like.
2 - Horrible (Considered torture in some countries)
Something downright terrible or might as well called annoyingly bad, but it probably has something faintly positive that takes away the edge to call it unwatchable. The only show so far that received this score was Amaenaide yo! and its specials. The ridiculous excuse for a story that makes Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan look like Shakespeare, the terrible repeated scenes and situations, the ugly character art combined with excessive amounts of pointless ecchi, and the fact that they managed to ruin a cast filled with stereotypes all proves that the bare existence of this show is a criminal act against mankind.
3 - Very bad (You are a shame to all that is anime)
Let it be a terrible show with some momentary improvement (Amaenaideyo Katsu), a failed attempt to create something artistic and unique (Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora) or several shots at making me laugh over exaggerated fan service, but ended up making me feel disgusted (Eiken, He is my master), these series are nothing but disgrace to the media of anime. They had moments when I reconsidered hating them, but those thoughts never lasted longer than a few seconds.
4 - Bad (Let's act like it never happened, shall we?)
General bad shows that had enough light of hope that ranting about them is actually worth the effort. Shows that could have been average but failed at almost everything they tried (Blassreiter, Ninomiya-kun) or simply approached certain themes and the overall message in ways that pissed me off big time (Elfen Lied) - all of these will probably end up here. At the end of the day, I most likely would have been better off without sitting through the ride.
5 - Mediocre (Don't call me, I'll call you)
Okay, so you did your thing, I watched it through, might have enjoyed it at certain moments, but in the end I wasn't impressed. You might have been completely unoriginal (Genesis of Aquarion, Lamune) or had a fair chance to be good but you wasted your resources either because you didn't decide what you want to be (Burst Angel, Kurogane no Linebarrels) or you tried to be something you're not (Zero no Tsukaima - Princess no Rondo). There is also the slight chance that you did most of your things correct, but it just took me too long to realize that I wasn't interested (Mahou Sensei Negima!, Kyou no Go no Ni).
6 - Decent (You wasn't a waste of my time)
It's generally the experience when I don't regret that I watched a certain anime, but nothing more. These are the shows that had that little extra to put them above mediocre (Love Hina, Kamen no Maid Guy) or had something pretty good going on, but sooner or later they started to show their flaws to the point where the positive aspects could no longer compensate (Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka, Appleseeds). This is also the graveyard for shallow sequels to once great series (GunslingerGirl - Il Teatrino, Da Capo SS).
7 - Good (You actually made me care)
There is a big leap as we reach 7: these are the anime that I liked, enjoyed and was interested in what will happen next, but after they were over they didn't leave much of an impact (Eureka 7, Special A). Comedies can climb up here if I decide to go easy on them after a few good laughs (Macademi Wasshoi) or land here after the fall if they disappoint (To Love-Ru). This is also the spot for all the mindless ecchi shows that I actually like but try to be somewhat objective to hold on to the mask of credibility (Ikkitousen, Sekirei, Kanokon). Plus I myself am fully aware of their flaws.
Also, extras, specials and re-cuts will end up here if they're good but doesn't add much to the whole experience (Shana movie, Shuffle Memories).
8 - Great (Good job there! Congratulations!)
Solid shows that for some period of time got me really excited, but the rest of the experience was pleasant, but not flawless or anything too special. Let it be any genre; a great start (To Aru Majutsu no Index, Excel Saga), an exciting middle section (Fate/Stay Night, Hyakko) or an overall solid work that could use a bit of improvement (Zero no Tsukaima, True Tears) can get an 8, if it can reach me at some point.
9 - Excellent (I'll cherish these wonderful memories you gave me)
Getting closer to my favorites; these are amazing shows that managed to get some kind of strong response out of me, but most likely lacked that little extra push or had some small, but annoying flaw, so they didn't deserve the 10. It could have been a strong emotional reaction (Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, Da Capo), excitement over the story and the action scenes (Shana, Vandread), the combination of all of these (Gunslinger Girl) or their ability to make me laugh my lounges out during almost every episode (Hayate no Gotoku, Kannagi, Girls Bravo, Magikano). In general, if a show can make me think about it for several days after I finished watching than it most likely will get a 9.
In special cases the strong attachment can compensate for the flaws (Kiddy Grade).
10 - Masterpiece (You are a piece of art in the purest meaning of the word. Let's get married!)
If I have to stop the player several times for a few seconds to say: "okay.. seriously? ..this is f*ckin' amazing!!" (Ghost in the Shell, Full Metal Panic, Black Lagoon) or months later a tear comes to my eye if I hear the OST or I unawares start to smile if I remember a scene (Shuffle, Seto no Hanayome).. then you deserve nothing less than a diamond ring and the big question. Plus there's a good chance it will earn you a spot in my top 5.
Not covertly inspired by noteDhero's entries, here is: Scoring.
- First off, I mainly rate according to the level of entertainment, thus my ratings are screwed up and pretty inconsistent. Shows with low rating can have some good aspects, while highly rated shows have huge faults. The overall experience is what counts.
- Second, I never change ratings later even if I did something in the heat of the moment that I later regret.
- Third, sometimes I try to be objective. So even though what was stated in the first point, the ratings not always show how much I care about a series.
- And last, while emotional attachment can add an extra point or two, disappointment will cost a lot. I hate to be disappointed.
1 - Unwatchable (Unknown depths of hell)
I have yet to see anything that deserved the ultimate mark of epic fail. Here belongs the visual representation of the Anti-Christ that lacks any and all positive aspects beyond the point of annoyance and closer to disgust. I'm thinking of watching Mars of Destruction as many say that it gives you an idea and context on what a 1/10 should look like.
2 - Horrible (Considered torture in some countries)
Something downright terrible or might as well called annoyingly bad, but it probably has something faintly positive that takes away the edge to call it unwatchable. The only show so far that received this score was Amaenaide yo! and its specials. The ridiculous excuse for a story that makes Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan look like Shakespeare, the terrible repeated scenes and situations, the ugly character art combined with excessive amounts of pointless ecchi, and the fact that they managed to ruin a cast filled with stereotypes all proves that the bare existence of this show is a criminal act against mankind.
3 - Very bad (You are a shame to all that is anime)
Let it be a terrible show with some momentary improvement (Amaenaideyo Katsu), a failed attempt to create something artistic and unique (Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora) or several shots at making me laugh over exaggerated fan service, but ended up making me feel disgusted (Eiken, He is my master), these series are nothing but disgrace to the media of anime. They had moments when I reconsidered hating them, but those thoughts never lasted longer than a few seconds.
4 - Bad (Let's act like it never happened, shall we?)
General bad shows that had enough light of hope that ranting about them is actually worth the effort. Shows that could have been average but failed at almost everything they tried (Blassreiter, Ninomiya-kun) or simply approached certain themes and the overall message in ways that pissed me off big time (Elfen Lied) - all of these will probably end up here. At the end of the day, I most likely would have been better off without sitting through the ride.
5 - Mediocre (Don't call me, I'll call you)
Okay, so you did your thing, I watched it through, might have enjoyed it at certain moments, but in the end I wasn't impressed. You might have been completely unoriginal (Genesis of Aquarion, Lamune) or had a fair chance to be good but you wasted your resources either because you didn't decide what you want to be (Burst Angel, Kurogane no Linebarrels) or you tried to be something you're not (Zero no Tsukaima - Princess no Rondo). There is also the slight chance that you did most of your things correct, but it just took me too long to realize that I wasn't interested (Mahou Sensei Negima!, Kyou no Go no Ni).
6 - Decent (You wasn't a waste of my time)
It's generally the experience when I don't regret that I watched a certain anime, but nothing more. These are the shows that had that little extra to put them above mediocre (Love Hina, Kamen no Maid Guy) or had something pretty good going on, but sooner or later they started to show their flaws to the point where the positive aspects could no longer compensate (Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka, Appleseeds). This is also the graveyard for shallow sequels to once great series (GunslingerGirl - Il Teatrino, Da Capo SS).
7 - Good (You actually made me care)
There is a big leap as we reach 7: these are the anime that I liked, enjoyed and was interested in what will happen next, but after they were over they didn't leave much of an impact (Eureka 7, Special A). Comedies can climb up here if I decide to go easy on them after a few good laughs (Macademi Wasshoi) or land here after the fall if they disappoint (To Love-Ru). This is also the spot for all the mindless ecchi shows that I actually like but try to be somewhat objective to hold on to the mask of credibility (Ikkitousen, Sekirei, Kanokon). Plus I myself am fully aware of their flaws.
Also, extras, specials and re-cuts will end up here if they're good but doesn't add much to the whole experience (Shana movie, Shuffle Memories).
8 - Great (Good job there! Congratulations!)
Solid shows that for some period of time got me really excited, but the rest of the experience was pleasant, but not flawless or anything too special. Let it be any genre; a great start (To Aru Majutsu no Index, Excel Saga), an exciting middle section (Fate/Stay Night, Hyakko) or an overall solid work that could use a bit of improvement (Zero no Tsukaima, True Tears) can get an 8, if it can reach me at some point.
9 - Excellent (I'll cherish these wonderful memories you gave me)
Getting closer to my favorites; these are amazing shows that managed to get some kind of strong response out of me, but most likely lacked that little extra push or had some small, but annoying flaw, so they didn't deserve the 10. It could have been a strong emotional reaction (Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, Da Capo), excitement over the story and the action scenes (Shana, Vandread), the combination of all of these (Gunslinger Girl) or their ability to make me laugh my lounges out during almost every episode (Hayate no Gotoku, Kannagi, Girls Bravo, Magikano). In general, if a show can make me think about it for several days after I finished watching than it most likely will get a 9.
In special cases the strong attachment can compensate for the flaws (Kiddy Grade).
10 - Masterpiece (You are a piece of art in the purest meaning of the word. Let's get married!)
If I have to stop the player several times for a few seconds to say: "okay.. seriously? ..this is f*ckin' amazing!!" (Ghost in the Shell, Full Metal Panic, Black Lagoon) or months later a tear comes to my eye if I hear the OST or I unawares start to smile if I remember a scene (Shuffle, Seto no Hanayome).. then you deserve nothing less than a diamond ring and the big question. Plus there's a good chance it will earn you a spot in my top 5.
Posted by Kvakond | Mar 17, 2009 4:35 AM | 0 comments
March 15th, 2009
AboutMe.
Posted by Kvakond | Mar 15, 2009 11:41 AM | 1 comments
February 14th, 2009
Justify text in PHP
Yes you can! With this: Download
The package contains 2+2 mindblowingly awesome functions for your pleasure only! Download now and you get 20% extra code plus a chance to win a life-time membership!
Furthermore, the first 15 downloaders get 2 high-quality font files - totally free!
Justify.class.php:
2 support functions:
- 'calculateTextBox' takes any given string, "puts a box around it", and gives back the parameters of the box. Basically you can get the width, height, etc. of the string in pixels.
Pretty useful if you want to align text for example.
- 'wrap_limit' takes a string, tries to "put it in a box" that has a given width. It returns the number of characters that fit inside that box - basically it calculates a number that can be used with the 'wordwrap' function, so you can have an optimal text wrapping.
2 main functions:
- 'JustifyTextOnImage' takes the text string and an image, wraps the text using 'wrap_limit' (unless the $wraplimit parameter is set manually), and returns the image with the justified text on it. The $image must be created beforehand and its width must to be added manually with $image_width!
- 'JustifyTextOnImageFile' is basically the same thing, but instead of the actual image, the path to the imagefile must be added with $image_path. This function creates the image itself and it has an extra parameter to set whether or not keep alpha transparency on the image.
justify_example.php:
A short script to show how you can use the two main functions.
blackbox.jpg
verdana.ttf
journal.ttf
Important note: I don't know s**t about PHP, this was my first time writing anything on my own in PHP. I mean it's not even in a class, I just call the file class for fun and giggles. Because of this the code is far from elegant, optimized or bug-proof! But it works.. as far as I know. If you have any problems please let me know! If you know anything about PHP and you find bugs or ways to make the script better please let me know! That is all.
Introducing Kvakond's Justify Text On Image v.0.9
The package contains 2+2 mindblowingly awesome functions for your pleasure only! Download now and you get 20% extra code plus a chance to win a life-time membership!
Furthermore, the first 15 downloaders get 2 high-quality font files - totally free!
Justify.class.php:
2 support functions:
- 'calculateTextBox' takes any given string, "puts a box around it", and gives back the parameters of the box. Basically you can get the width, height, etc. of the string in pixels.
Pretty useful if you want to align text for example.
- 'wrap_limit' takes a string, tries to "put it in a box" that has a given width. It returns the number of characters that fit inside that box - basically it calculates a number that can be used with the 'wordwrap' function, so you can have an optimal text wrapping.
2 main functions:
- 'JustifyTextOnImage' takes the text string and an image, wraps the text using 'wrap_limit' (unless the $wraplimit parameter is set manually), and returns the image with the justified text on it. The $image must be created beforehand and its width must to be added manually with $image_width!
- 'JustifyTextOnImageFile' is basically the same thing, but instead of the actual image, the path to the imagefile must be added with $image_path. This function creates the image itself and it has an extra parameter to set whether or not keep alpha transparency on the image.
justify_example.php:
A short script to show how you can use the two main functions.
blackbox.jpg
verdana.ttf
journal.ttf
Important note: I don't know s**t about PHP, this was my first time writing anything on my own in PHP. I mean it's not even in a class, I just call the file class for fun and giggles. Because of this the code is far from elegant, optimized or bug-proof! But it works.. as far as I know. If you have any problems please let me know! If you know anything about PHP and you find bugs or ways to make the script better please let me know! That is all.
Posted by Kvakond | Feb 14, 2009 10:31 AM | 1 comments