Scene Editor
Work in Progress
This documentation is still being expanded and refined. Features, screenshots, and descriptions may change until Talescape's public release. If something is unclear or you need help, please ask on the official Talescape Discord. We're happy to clarify or update pages as needed.
The Scene Editor is where you build the visual and interactive layout of each scene. Here you can add and arrange elements such as text, images, triggers, and items - everything the player sees or interacts with. All changes are saved automatically and synced with your story’s cloud data.
1. Scene Settings
Each scene has its own settings, which define its overall appearance and behavior.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Background | The main image or video displayed behind all elements. |
| Title | The scene’s name, used internally and in navigation. |
| Dimensions | Available only for inline scenes; defines overlay size. |
| Music | Background track that starts when the scene is loaded. |
| Ambience | Ambient audio loop (e.g., wind, rain, crowd). |
Scene settings apply globally to all elements inside that scene.
2. Element Overview
Scenes are composed of elements, each representing a visible or interactive object. You can add, move, resize, or delete elements freely. All elements share the same base properties:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Type | The element’s category (Image, Item, Trigger, or Text). Cannot be changed after creation. |
| Name | Internal name for referencing or identifying the element. |
| Group | Optional tag for organizing and filtering elements inside the editor. |
| Dimensions | Width and height of the element. |
| Position | X and Y coordinates within the scene. |
| Conditions | Rules determining when the element is visible. Default is always visible. |
Elements can be positioned manually or via drag and drop. Resizing corners appear automatically when an element is selected.
3. Image Elements
Image elements display static or animated visuals within a scene.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Image | The image or animation to display (from your media library). |
Typical uses:
- Background layers or overlays
- Character portraits
- Environmental details
Images maintain aspect ratio by default but can be resized freely. Visibility can be controlled through conditions (for example, only show after a certain event).
4. Item Elements
Item elements are used to display collectible or interactive objects.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Item | The linked item from your story’s item list. |
| Amount | Number of items to give or display when interacted with. |
| Image | Optional override image to represent the item visually. |
Item elements can be combined with triggers to create actions like picking up or using an item. When the player interacts with an item element, it can modify variables, trigger actions, or update inventory state.
5. Trigger Elements
Trigger elements define interactive hotspots or logic points inside the scene. They can be invisible or combined with images and text.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Conditions | Rules determining when the trigger becomes active. |
| Actions | The operations to perform when the trigger is activated (e.g., change scene, give item, set variable). |
Triggers are the core of scene interactivity. They can react to clicks, timed events, or scene-level conditions. Triggers support multiple actions executed in sequence.
6. Text Elements
Text elements display dialogue, narration, or interface text. They include rich formatting options for font, color, and alignment.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Text | The text to display. |
| Font Size / Line Height | Controls readability and spacing. |
| Font Family / Style | Choose from available fonts; supports bold, italic, underline. |
| Text Color | Pick any color using the color field. |
| Horizontal / Vertical Alignment | Adjust placement inside the text box. |
Typical uses:
- Scene titles or narration text
- Labels for objects or UI overlays
- Floating or timed messages
7. Working with Elements
You can:
- Drag & Drop elements anywhere in the scene.
- Resize elements using corner handles.
- Duplicate elements for consistent layouts.
- Delete elements at any time.
The editor automatically tracks changes and saves them in real time. Scene layout and element order are preserved when syncing with the cloud.
8. Testing and Preview
Use the Scene Preview mode to test individual scenes. This lets you verify element positions, trigger conditions, and visual composition before running the full story preview.