Argo Bubbles

From The Official Visionaire Studio: Adventure Game Engine Wiki
Name Type By
Argo Bubbles - Dynamic stylized speech bubbles Definition The Argonauts

This script allows you to turn texts spoken by characters into speech bubbles.


The "Argo Bubbles" script is based on the "Advanced Speechbubble Script" by Sebastian aka turbomodus.


Instructions

Argo Bubbles - Example.png

1. Add the main script to the Visionaire Studio Script Editor and set the script as a definition script.

2. Create the bubble graphics and add them to your project folder or any subfolder. Basic graphics are included in the demo project which can be downloaded from the resources section.

3. Adjust the settings at the top of the script (between "DEFINE YOUR SETTINGS HERE" and "USUALLY NO NEED TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE").


Description

The script is extensively commented, giving you all the information you need to make use of its features. A detailed description of the settings can be found on this page.


How the Argo Bubbles are created

  • Display of the regular character text is prevented. The text is stored internally to get integrated in the speech bubble. The font used in the bubble will stay the same though - it is the regular font defined in the editor for a specific character. Choose a font for the character that fits your speech bubble design. Any text formatting or text effects are preserved.
  • The main bubble graphic is cut into nine pieces which are individually stretched and then reassembled to match the calculated size of the bubble (see the graphic below). This "ninerect" technique ensures that the corners don't get distorted, but leads to limitations to what the speech bubbles can look like. It is not possible with this script to have elliptical or fancy-shaped bubbles. They need to be more or less rectangular.
  • You usually want to have a pointer attached to the bubble, pointing at the character who is currently speaking. Depending on your alignment settings and on the direction the character is facing, the script selects one of up to four pointer graphics you can provide and places it accordingly. Pointers are optional though.
  • You have the option to add an additional image to the bubble. It is intended for a portrait picture of the character, but you can choose any image you like, of course.


Argo Bubbles - How the bubbles are created.png


Settings

General settings

  • enable_shader_viewport_adjustments: If set to true, the script will take viewport manipulations by Visionaire's Shader Toolkit into account. If you don't make use of the Shader Toolkit, you can set this option to false.


Default bubble style

  • align_h: The horizontal alignment of the bubble in relation to the character. Possible values are (center|left|right|char_facing). The "char_facing" value results in a left/right aligned bubble, respectively, depending on the character's facing direction.
  • align_v: The vertical alignment of the bubble in relation to the character. Possible values are (top|bottom). This setting also defines the vertical positioning of the bubble pointer: it is attached to the bottom of the bubble, if the bubble is top-aligned, and vice versa.
  • flip_v_align_on_edge: If set to true, a top-aligned bubble will automatically turn into a bottom-aligned bubble (and vice versa) when the character gets too close to the top (bottom) edge of the screen.
  • bubble_offset_x: The horizontal offset of the bubble from the initial position centered above the character's head. Positive values move the bubble in the character's facing direction.
  • bubble_top_offset_y: The vertical offset of the bubble for top-aligned bubbles. Positive values move the bubble up.
  • bubble_bottom_offset_y: The vertical offset of the bubble for bottom-aligned bubbles. Positive values move the bubble down.
  • adjust_v_offset_to_char_scale: If set to true, the current character scaling is taken into account when applying the vertical bubble offset. The offset (as defined in "bubble_top_offset_y" or "bubble_bottom_offset_y") will be reduced/increased according to the character scale.
  • color: Color tint for the bubble (and pointer). Please note that this option takes the color in hexadecimal BGR notation (instead of RGB), prepended with "0x". The default value of 0xffffff (white) results in no tint.
  • text_align_h: The horizontal text alignment inside the bubble. Possible values are (center|left|right). This option has a visible effect only if it's multiline text and/or if the bubble has a fixed width.
  • text_align_v: The vertical text alignment inside the bubble. Possible values are (center|top|bottom). This option has a visible effect only if the bubble has a fixed height.
  • padding: The distance between the text block and the outer edge of the bubble, defined in a table {"top", "right", "bottom", "left"}.
  • fixed_width: The fixed width of the bubble. Set the value to 0 to not set a fixed width. Be aware that the width of the bubble does currently not affect line breaks.
  • fixed_height: The fixed height of the bubble. Set the value to 0 to not set a fixed height.
  • fixed_pos: A fixed position on the screen to show the bubble at, defined in a table {"x", "y"}. That position will serve as the root point of the position calculation (it substitutes the character's position), so it depends on your alignment settings where the bubble will be placed. Don't set "align_h" to "char_facing" when using the fixed position, because the bubble position would change depending on the character's facing direction.
  • expand_fixed_dims: If set to true, a fixed bubble width/height will expand if the text doesn't fit in the fix-sized bubble. The fixed width/height will act like a min-width/min-height setting.
  • file_bubble: The path to the main bubble graphic. The graphic needs to be suited for the "ninerect" technique. The filepath must be relative to the project root folder and be prepended with "vispath:".
  • ninerect: The measurements used to cut the "ninerect" bubble graphic, defined in a table {"x", "y", "width, "height"}. The x/y values define the width/height of the top left tile of the "ninerect", the width/height values define the width/height of the center tile (see the graphic below).
  • file_portrait: The path to a portrait image. The filepath must be relative to the project root folder and be prepended with "vispath:". Set the value to "" (empty string) for a bubble without a portrait image.
  • portrait_align_h: The horizontal alignment of the portrait image in the bubble. Possible values are (left|right). There will be no padding between the portrait and the edge of the bubble; the padding setting only applies to the text. Add transparent areas to your portrait image to adjust the position (see the graphic below).
  • portrait_align_v: The vertical alignment of the portrait image in the bubble. Possible values are (top|center|bottom). There will be no padding between the portrait and the edge of the bubble; the padding setting only applies to the text. Add transparent areas to your portrait image to adjust the position (see the graphic below).
  • file_pointer_bottom_right: The path to the down-right-pointing pointer graphic. The filepath must be relative to the project root folder and be prepended with "vispath:". Set the value to "" (empty string) for a bubble without a pointer.
  • file_pointer_bottom_left: The path to the down-left-pointing pointer graphic. The filepath must be relative to the project root folder and be prepended with "vispath:". Set the value to "" (empty string) for a bubble without a pointer.
  • pointer_bottom_right_offset_x: The horizontal offset of the down-right-pointing pointer. Positive values move the pointer in the character's facing direction.
  • pointer_bottom_left_offset_x: The horizontal offset of the down-left-pointing pointer. Positive values move the pointer in the character's facing direction.
  • pointer_bottom_offset_y: The vertical offset of the down-pointing pointer. Positive values move the pointer inwards.
  • file_pointer_top_right: The path to the up-right-pointing pointer graphic. The filepath must be relative to the project root folder and be prepended with "vispath:". Set the value to "" (empty string) for a bubble without a pointer.
  • file_pointer_top_left: The path to the up-left-pointing pointer graphic. The filepath must be relative to the project root folder and be prepended with "vispath:". Set the value to "" (empty string) for a bubble without a pointer.
  • pointer_top_right_offset_x: The horizontal offset of the up-right-pointing pointer. Positive values move the pointer in the character's facing direction.
  • pointer_top_left_offset_x: The horizontal offset of the up-left-pointing pointer. Positive values move the pointer in the character's facing direction.
  • pointer_top_offset_y: The vertical offset of the up-pointing pointer. Positive values move the pointer inwards.
  • pointer_min_distance: The minimum distance a pointer has to keep from the edge of the bubble (see the graphic below).
  • min_distance: The minimum distance the bubble has to keep from the edge of the screen.


Argo Bubbles - Style settings.png


Custom bubble styles

A main feature of the "Argo Bubbles" script is the ability to define multiple bubble styles. You could have a different bubble color/design for each character, for example. Or depending on where an NPC stands, that character might need a different positioning of the bubble than the default one. You can even define multiple styles for the same character and switch between them during the game.

The default bubble style is defined in the "default_style" table. If you would like to add more styles:

  • Add custom bubble styles to the custom_styles table. You can override all properties of the default style. Undefined properties will fallback to the default values.
  • Each custom bubble style is defined for a specific character. Add the name of the character as an additional char property.


-- Example
local custom_styles = {
  {
    char = "Hero",
    align_h = "left",
    align_v = "bottom",
    bubble_offset_x = 40,
    bubble_top_offset_y = 35,
    file_pointer_top_right = "vispath:gui/bubble_pointer_tr.png",
    pointer_top_offset_y = 10
  },
  {
    char = "Villain",
    file_bubble = "vispath:gui/bubble_black.png"
  },
  {
    -- next style definition here ...
  }
}
  • If a character is meant to use only a single style throughout the game (either the default style or a custom one), you don't have to do anything else.
  • If you want the character to switch styles during the game, add a Visionaire value called "argo_bubble" to the character. By changing that value you can select the style to be active. A value of 0 selects the default style. A value of 1 selects the first custom style defined for that character, a value of 2 the second custom style for that character etc. You can define as many custom styles per character as you like - just add them to the "custom_styles" table.


Advanced settings

  • ab_bind_to_handler: You can define the "textStopped" event handler only once in your game project. If you want to do that in another script, set this variable to false. You'll then have to call "destroy_argo_bubble(text)" in that other script.
  • ab_on_text_stopped(): You can define the "textStopped" event handler only once in your game project. If you want to do that here in the Argo Bubbles script, but have other functions you want to call from this handler, add these calls to this function. Only applicable if "ab_bind_to_handler" is set to true.


Kill the bubbles

Call the kill_argo_bubbles() function to immediately remove all current bubbles from the screen. You'll need this, for example, if the user can open the menu by pressing a key, because it would be possible to do that while a character is talking and thus a speech bubble is visible. By calling the kill function you prevent the bubble from appearing on the menu as well. A scene change does not automatically hide a bubble.


Tutorial

For a deeper understanding of how the speech bubbles are created and how they replace the text displayed by Visionaire, please have a look at the tutorial; it is included in the .zip file. You don't have to read it, if you just want to use the script in your project.

Be aware that the tutorial was created for script version 2.1.2. The basic idea is still the same, but the code has changed a lot since then.


Main Script

--[[

Argo Bubbles
------------
This script turns character texts into speech bubbles. It allows defining differently styled bubbles for each character, or even different speech bubble styles for the same character to switch between during the game.

Authors:         The Argonauts
                 (with contributions by Mulewa and some lines of code
                 taken from the Visionaire Shader Toolkit by Simon Scheckel)
Version:         2.3.0
Date:            2024-01-05
Requirements:    Visionaire Studio 5.3 or higher
License:         MIT License (details at the bottom of the script)
Based on:        Advanced Speechbubble Script [v1.1] (10/13/2018), written by Sebastian/TURBOMODUS (with permission)
Instructions:    https://wiki.visionaire-tracker.net/wiki/Argo_Bubbles

Argonauts games: https://the-argonauts.itch.io/

]]



-------------------------------
-- DEFINE YOUR SETTINGS HERE --
-------------------------------

-- Detailed description of the settings:
-- https://wiki.visionaire-tracker.net/wiki/Argo_Bubbles#Settings
-- or in the "readme.txt" file coming with this script


-- GENERAL SETTINGS
local enable_shader_viewport_adjustments = true


-- DEFAULT BUBBLE STYLE
local default_style = {
  align_h = "center",
  align_v = "top",
  flip_v_align_on_edge = true,
  bubble_offset_x = 0,
  bubble_top_offset_y = 25,
  bubble_bottom_offset_y = 70,
  adjust_v_offset_to_char_scale = true,
  color = 0xffffff,
  text_align_h = "center",
  text_align_v = "center",
  padding = { top = 15, right = 20, bottom = 12, left = 20 },
  fixed_width = 0,
  fixed_height = 0,
  fixed_pos = false,
  expand_fixed_dims = true,
  file_bubble = "vispath:gui/bubble.png",
  ninerect = { x = 20, y = 15, width = 30, height = 20 },
  file_portrait = "",
  portrait_align_h = "left",
  portrait_align_v = "top",
  file_pointer_bottom_right = "vispath:gui/bubble_pointer_br.png",
  file_pointer_bottom_left = "vispath:gui/bubble_pointer_bl.png",
  pointer_bottom_right_offset_x = 20,
  pointer_bottom_left_offset_x = 0,
  pointer_bottom_offset_y = 3,
  file_pointer_top_right = "",
  file_pointer_top_left = "",
  pointer_top_right_offset_x = 0,
  pointer_top_left_offset_x = 0,
  pointer_top_offset_y = 0,
  pointer_min_distance = 15,
  min_distance = 15
}


-- CUSTOM BUBBLE STYLES
local custom_styles = {}


-- ADVANCED SETTINGS
local ab_bind_to_handler = true

function ab_on_text_stopped(text)
  -- add your functions here

end





--------------------------------------------------------
-- USUALLY NO NEED TO CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE --
--------------------------------------------------------


-- Build new custom styles table "c_styles" and fill up with default values
local c_styles = {}

if custom_styles ~= nil then
  for key, styles in pairs(custom_styles) do
    local num_char_styles = 1

    if c_styles[ styles["char"] ] ~= nil then
      num_char_styles = #c_styles[ styles["char"] ] + 1
      c_styles[ styles["char"] ][num_char_styles] = {}
    else
      c_styles[ styles["char"] ] = {{}}
    end

    for k, v in pairs(default_style) do
      c_styles[ styles["char"] ][num_char_styles][k] = v
    end

    for k, v in pairs(styles) do
      c_styles[ styles["char"] ][num_char_styles][k] = v
    end
  end
end



-- CALL FUNCTIONS

local bubbles = {}
local killed = {}

-- New mode: create bubbles in "textRender" function
function show_argo_bubble(text)
  if text.Owner.tableId == eCharacters then 
    -- Add current character text to the bubbles table, if not already there (and bubbles not killed early)
    if bubbles[text.id] == nil and killed[text.id] == nil then
      bubbles[text.id] = {
        Text = text.CurrentText,
        Owner = text.Owner.name,
        Background = text.Background,
        Object = text
      }
    end

    -- override the default text rendering
    return true
  end
  
  return false
end



function destroy_argo_bubble(text)
  -- Remove current text from bubbles table
  bubbles[text.id] = nil

  -- Call external functions that use the "textStopped" event handler
  if ab_on_text_stopped ~= nil then
    ab_on_text_stopped(text)
  end
end



-- Call this function to immediately destroy all bubbles
function kill_argo_bubbles()
  -- Since we use the render hook, the bubbles table gets quickly filled again;
  -- so we store the ids of texts to be killed in a separate table
  for key, val in pairs(bubbles) do
    killed[key] = key
  end
  
  bubbles = {}
end



-- Register hook function and bind to event handler
registerHookFunction("textRender", "show_argo_bubble")

if ab_bind_to_handler then
  registerEventHandler("textStopped","destroy_argo_bubble")
end





-- DRAW FUNCTIONS

-- Draw background texts from bubbles table below interfaces (and cursors)
function bubble_below_interface()
  for key, val in pairs(bubbles) do
    if val.Background then
      create_bubble(key, val)
    end
  end
end



-- Draw non-background texts from bubbles table above interfaces
function bubble_above_interface()
  for key, val in pairs(bubbles) do
    if not val.Background then
      create_bubble(key, val)
    end
  end
end



-- Main bubble function
function create_bubble(key, val)
  -- Get talking character
  local char = Characters[val.Owner]
  local pos = graphics.getCharacterTextPosition(char)

  -- Get bubble style
  local bubble_style = get_style(key, val, char)
  
  -- Get shader toolkit viewport adjustments
  local shader_adjusted_viewport = get_viewport_adjustments(bubble_style)

  -- Facing direction (if bubble alignment is set to "left" or "right", the actual facing direction is irrelevant)
  local char_facing = "right"
  
  if bubble_style.align_h == "left" then
    char_facing = "left"
  elseif bubble_style.align_h ~= "right" then
    if char.Direction > 90 and char.Direction < 270 then
      char_facing = "left"
    end
  end

  -- Get text and bubble dimensions
  local text_and_bubble_dims = get_text_and_dims(key, val, char, bubble_style)
  
  local text_dim = text_and_bubble_dims.text_dim
  local bubble_dim = text_and_bubble_dims.bubble_dim

   -- Get the bubble position
  pos = get_bubble_position(pos, bubble_style, bubble_dim, char, char_facing, shader_adjusted_viewport)

  -- Get bubble graphic and define ninerect geometry
  local bubble_sprite
  local dest_rect = { x = pos.x, y = pos.y, width = bubble_dim.x, height = bubble_dim.y }
  
  -- Take sprite from bubbles table, if cached
  if val.bubble_sprite ~= nil then
    bubble_sprite = val.bubble_sprite
  else
    bubble_sprite = graphics.loadFromFile(bubble_style.file_bubble)

    -- Cache bubble sprite
    bubbles[key].bubble_sprite = bubble_sprite
  end

  -- Draw the bubble
  graphics.drawSpriteWithNineRect(bubble_sprite, dest_rect, bubble_style.ninerect, bubble_style.color, 1.0)

  -- Get portrait graphic
  local portrait_sprite = nil

  -- Take sprite from bubbles table, if cached
  if val.portrait_sprite ~= nil then
    portrait_sprite = val.portrait_sprite
  elseif bubble_style.file_portrait ~= nil and bubble_style.file_portrait ~= "" then
    portrait_sprite = graphics.loadFromFile(bubble_style.file_portrait)
    
    -- Cache bubble sprite
    bubbles[key].portrait_sprite = portrait_sprite
  end
  
  -- Continue with portrait, if graphic has been defined
  if portrait_sprite ~= nil then
    -- Get position of portrait image
    portrait_sprite.position = get_portrait_position(pos, bubble_style, bubble_dim, portrait_sprite)

    -- Draw the portrait
    graphics.drawSprite(portrait_sprite, 1.0)
  end

  -- Get pointer graphic
  local pointer_sprite = nil
  local pointer_offset = 0

  if char_facing == "left" then
    -- right pointer when char facing left
    if (bubble_style.align_v_temp ~= nil and bubble_style.align_v_temp == "bottom") or (bubble_style.align_v_temp == nil and bubble_style.align_v == "bottom") then
      -- top pointer when bubble aligned to bottom
      if bubble_style.file_pointer_top_right ~= nil and bubble_style.file_pointer_top_right ~= "" then
        pointer_sprite = graphics.loadFromFile(bubble_style.file_pointer_top_right)
        pointer_offset = -bubble_style.pointer_top_right_offset_x
      end
    else
      -- bottom pointer when bubble aligned to top
      if bubble_style.file_pointer_bottom_right ~= nil and bubble_style.file_pointer_bottom_right ~= "" then
        pointer_sprite = graphics.loadFromFile(bubble_style.file_pointer_bottom_right)
        pointer_offset = -bubble_style.pointer_bottom_right_offset_x
      end
    end
  else
    -- left pointer when char facing right
    if (bubble_style.align_v_temp ~= nil and bubble_style.align_v_temp == "bottom") or (bubble_style.align_v_temp == nil and bubble_style.align_v == "bottom") then
      -- top pointer when bubble aligned to bottom
      if bubble_style.file_pointer_top_left ~= nil and bubble_style.file_pointer_top_left ~= "" then
        pointer_sprite = graphics.loadFromFile(bubble_style.file_pointer_top_left)
        pointer_offset = bubble_style.pointer_top_left_offset_x
      end
    else
      -- bottom pointer when bubble aligned to top
      if bubble_style.file_pointer_bottom_left ~= nil and bubble_style.file_pointer_bottom_left ~= "" then
        pointer_sprite = graphics.loadFromFile(bubble_style.file_pointer_bottom_left)
        pointer_offset = bubble_style.pointer_bottom_left_offset_x
      end
    end
  end

  -- Continue with pointer, if graphic has been defined
  if pointer_sprite ~= nil then
    -- Get position of pointer image
    pointer_sprite.position = get_pointer_position(pos, bubble_style, bubble_dim, pointer_offset, char, char_facing, shader_adjusted_viewport, pointer_sprite)

    -- Draw the pointer
    graphics.drawSprite(pointer_sprite, 1.0, bubble_style.color)
  end

  -- Draw the text
  -- Calculate vertical alignment of text inside bubble (only if fixed height and not at the top)
  local text_box_pos_y = pos.y + bubble_style.padding.top
    
  if bubble_style.fixed_height ~= nil then
    if bubble_style.text_align_v == "center" then
      text_box_pos_y = pos.y + bubble_style.padding.top + (bubble_dim.y - bubble_style.padding.top - bubble_style.padding.bottom - text_dim.y) / 2
    elseif bubble_style.text_align_v == "bottom" then
      text_box_pos_y = pos.y + bubble_dim.y - bubble_style.padding.bottom - text_dim.y
    end
  end

  -- Draw the text object
  local text_pos = {x = 0, y = text_box_pos_y}
  local alignment = 2
  
  if bubble_style.text_align_h == "left" then
    text_pos.x = pos.x + bubble_style.padding.left
    alignment = 0
  elseif bubble_style.text_align_h == "right" then
    text_pos.x = pos.x + bubble_dim.x - bubble_style.padding.right
    alignment = 1
  else -- center
    text_pos.x = pos.x + bubble_style.padding.left + (bubble_dim.x - bubble_style.padding.left - bubble_style.padding.right) / 2
  end

  graphics.drawTextObject(val.Object, text_pos.x, text_pos.y, alignment)
end



-- Get style for the current bubble
function get_style(key, val, char)
  local bubble_style = default_style
  
  -- Take style from bubbles table, if cached
  if val.style ~= nil then
    bubble_style = val.style
  else
    if c_styles ~= nil and c_styles[char.name] ~= nil then
      if Characters[char.name].Values["argo_bubble"] ~= nil then
        if c_styles[char.name][ Characters[char.name].Values["argo_bubble"].Int ] ~= nil then
          bubble_style = c_styles[char.name][ Characters[char.name].Values["argo_bubble"].Int ]
        end
      else
        bubble_style = c_styles[char.name][1]
      end
    end

    -- Cache style
    bubbles[key].style = bubble_style
  end

  return bubble_style
end



-- Get shader toolkit viewport adjustments (probably not fully supported yet)
function get_viewport_adjustments(bubble_style)
  local shader_adjusted_viewport = {x = 0, y = 0, scale = 1}
  
  if enable_shader_viewport_adjustments and shader_newViewport ~= nil and bubble_style.fixed_pos == false then
    if shader_viewportTransition > 0.0 and shader_viewportTransition < 1.0 then
      shader_adjusted_viewport.scale = (1.0 - shader_viewportTransition) * shader_oldViewport.scale + shader_viewportTransition * shader_newViewport.scale

      local startCenter = {
        x = shader_oldViewport.x + c_res.x / shader_oldViewport.scale * shader_interpolationPoint.x,
        y = shader_oldViewport.y + c_res.y / shader_oldViewport.scale * shader_interpolationPoint.y
      }

      local endCenter = {
        x = shader_newViewport.x + c_res.x / shader_newViewport.scale * shader_interpolationPoint.x,
        y = shader_newViewport.y + c_res.y / shader_newViewport.scale * shader_interpolationPoint.y
      }

      local interpolatedCenter = {
        x = startCenter.x * (1.0 - shader_viewportTransition) + endCenter.x * shader_viewportTransition,
        y = startCenter.y * (1.0 - shader_viewportTransition) + endCenter.y * shader_viewportTransition
      }

      shader_adjusted_viewport.x = interpolatedCenter.x - c_res.x / shader_scale * shader_interpolationPoint.x
      shader_adjusted_viewport.y = interpolatedCenter.y - c_res.y / shader_scale * shader_interpolationPoint.y
    else
      shader_adjusted_viewport = shader_newViewport
    end
  end

  return shader_adjusted_viewport
end



 -- Calculate text and bubble dimensions
function get_text_and_dims(key, val, char, bubble_style)
  local txt = ""
  local lines = {}
  local text_dim = {x = 0, y = 0}
  local bubble_dim = {x = 0, y = 0}

  graphics.font = char.Font

  -- Take from bubbles table, if cached
  if val.text_dim ~= nil then
    txt = val.txt
    lines = val.lines
    text_dim = val.text_dim
    bubble_dim = val.bubble_dim
  else
    txt = val.Text:gsub("<br/"..">", "\n")
    lines = graphics.performLinebreaks(txt)

    for k, line in ipairs(lines) do 
      local tempdim = graphics.fontDimension(line)
      
      if text_dim.x < tempdim.x then
        text_dim.x = tempdim.x
      end 
    end

    text_dim.y = #lines * (char.Font.Size + char.Font.VerticalLetterSpacing) - char.Font.VerticalLetterSpacing

    bubble_dim.x = text_dim.x + bubble_style.padding.right + bubble_style.padding.left
    bubble_dim.y = text_dim.y + bubble_style.padding.top + bubble_style.padding.bottom

    if bubble_style.fixed_width > 0 then
      if not bubble_style.expand_fixed_dims or bubble_style.fixed_width > bubble_dim.x then
        bubble_dim.x = bubble_style.fixed_width
      end
    end
   
    if bubble_style.fixed_height > 0 then
      if not bubble_style.expand_fixed_dims or bubble_style.fixed_height > bubble_dim.y then
        bubble_dim.y = bubble_style.fixed_height
      end
    end

    -- Cache dimensions
    bubbles[key].txt = txt
    bubbles[key].lines = lines
    bubbles[key].text_dim = text_dim
    bubbles[key].bubble_dim = bubble_dim
  end

  return { lines = lines, text_dim = text_dim, bubble_dim = bubble_dim }
end


  
-- Calculate the bubble position
function get_bubble_position(pos, bubble_style, bubble_dim, char, char_facing, shader_adjusted_viewport)
  -- Change reference point for bubble with fixed position
  if bubble_style.fixed_pos ~= false then
    pos.x = bubble_style.fixed_pos.x + game.ScrollPosition.x
    pos.y = bubble_style.fixed_pos.y + game.ScrollPosition.y
  end
  
  -- X position
  if bubble_style.align_h == "right" or (bubble_style.align_h == "char_facing" and char_facing == "right") then
    pos.x = (pos.x - game.ScrollPosition.x - shader_adjusted_viewport.x) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale
  elseif bubble_style.align_h == "left" or (bubble_style.align_h == "char_facing" and char_facing == "left") then
    pos.x = (pos.x - game.ScrollPosition.x - shader_adjusted_viewport.x) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale - bubble_dim.x
  else -- center
    pos.x = (pos.x - game.ScrollPosition.x - shader_adjusted_viewport.x) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale - bubble_dim.x / 2
  end

  if char_facing == "left" then
    pos.x = pos.x - bubble_style.bubble_offset_x
  else -- right
    pos.x = pos.x + bubble_style.bubble_offset_x
  end

  if pos.x < bubble_style.min_distance then
    pos.x = bubble_style.min_distance
  elseif pos.x > game.WindowResolution.x - bubble_dim.x - bubble_style.min_distance then
    pos.x = game.WindowResolution.x - bubble_dim.x - bubble_style.min_distance
  end

  -- Y position
  local temp_y = 0
  local char_scale = 1

  if bubble_style.adjust_v_offset_to_char_scale then
    char_scale = (char.ScaleFactor / 100) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale

    if char.Scale then
      char_scale = char_scale * (char.Size / 100)
    end
  end

  if bubble_style.align_v == "bottom" then
    temp_y = (pos.y - game.ScrollPosition.y - shader_adjusted_viewport.y) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale + math.floor(bubble_style.bubble_bottom_offset_y * char_scale)
  else -- top
    temp_y = (pos.y - game.ScrollPosition.y - shader_adjusted_viewport.y) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale - bubble_dim.y - math.floor(bubble_style.bubble_top_offset_y * char_scale)
  end

  if temp_y < bubble_style.min_distance then
    if bubble_style.flip_v_align_on_edge and bubble_style.fixed_pos == false then
      bubble_style.align_v_temp = "bottom"
      pos.y = (pos.y - game.ScrollPosition.y - shader_adjusted_viewport.y) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale + math.floor(bubble_style.bubble_bottom_offset_y * char_scale)
    else
      pos.y = bubble_style.min_distance
    end
  elseif temp_y > game.WindowResolution.y - bubble_dim.y - bubble_style.min_distance then
    if bubble_style.flip_v_align_on_edge and bubble_style.fixed_pos == false then
      bubble_style.align_v_temp = "top"
      pos.y = (pos.y - game.ScrollPosition.y - shader_adjusted_viewport.y) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale - bubble_dim.y - math.floor(bubble_style.bubble_top_offset_y * char_scale) 
    else
      pos.y = game.WindowResolution.y - bubble_dim.y - bubble_style.min_distance
    end
  else
    pos.y = temp_y
    bubble_style.align_v_temp = nil
  end

  return pos
end



-- Calculate position of portrait image
function get_portrait_position(pos, bubble_style, bubble_dim, portrait_sprite)
  local portrait_pos = { x = pos.x, y = pos.y }
  
  if bubble_style.portrait_align_h == "right" then
    portrait_pos.x = pos.x + bubble_dim.x - portrait_sprite.width
  end
  
  if bubble_style.portrait_align_v == "center" then
    portrait_pos.y = pos.y + (bubble_dim.y - portrait_sprite.height) / 2
  elseif bubble_style.portrait_align_v == "bottom" then
    portrait_pos.y = pos.y + bubble_dim.y - portrait_sprite.height
  end
  
  return portrait_pos
end



-- Calculate position of pointer image
function get_pointer_position(pos, bubble_style, bubble_dim, pointer_offset, char, char_facing, shader_adjusted_viewport, pointer_sprite)
  -- Calculate pointer position
  local pointer_pos = {x = 0, y = 0}

  if bubble_style.align_h == "right" or (bubble_style.align_h == "char_facing" and char_facing == "right") then
    -- if bubble is aligned right, pointer is positioned leftmost
    pointer_pos.x = pos.x + pointer_offset

    -- Adjust position, if bubble is too close to the edge
    if bubble_style.fixed_pos == false then
      if pointer_pos.x < (char.Position.x - game.ScrollPosition.x - shader_adjusted_viewport.x) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale + pointer_offset then
        pointer_pos.x =  (char.Position.x - game.ScrollPosition.x - shader_adjusted_viewport.x) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale + pointer_offset
      end
    end
  elseif bubble_style.align_h == "left" or (bubble_style.align_h == "char_facing" and char_facing == "left") then
    -- if bubble is aligned left, pointer is positioned rightmost
    pointer_pos.x = pos.x + bubble_dim.x - pointer_sprite.width + pointer_offset

    -- Adjust position, if bubble is too close to the edge
    if bubble_style.fixed_pos == false then
      if pointer_pos.x > (char.Position.x - game.ScrollPosition.x - shader_adjusted_viewport.x) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale + pointer_offset then
        pointer_pos.x =  (char.Position.x - game.ScrollPosition.x - shader_adjusted_viewport.x) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale + pointer_offset
      end
    end
  else -- center
    -- if bubble is aligned center, pointer is positioned at character
    if bubble_style.fixed_pos == false then
      pointer_pos.x = (char.Position.x - game.ScrollPosition.x - shader_adjusted_viewport.x) * shader_adjusted_viewport.scale + pointer_offset
    else
      pointer_pos.x = pos.x + bubble_dim.x / 2
    end
  end

  -- Adjust position, if character is too close to the edge
  if bubble_style.fixed_pos == false then
    if pointer_pos.x < pos.x - pointer_offset then
      pointer_pos.x = pos.x - pointer_offset
    elseif pointer_pos.x > pos.x + bubble_dim.x - pointer_sprite.width - pointer_offset then
      pointer_pos.x = pos.x + bubble_dim.x - pointer_sprite.width - pointer_offset
    end
    
    if pointer_pos.x < pos.x + bubble_style.pointer_min_distance then
      pointer_pos.x = pos.x + bubble_style.pointer_min_distance
    elseif pointer_pos.x > pos.x + bubble_dim.x - pointer_sprite.width - bubble_style.pointer_min_distance then
      pointer_pos.x = pos.x + bubble_dim.x - pointer_sprite.width - bubble_style.pointer_min_distance
    end
  end

  if (bubble_style.align_v_temp ~= nil and bubble_style.align_v_temp == "bottom") or (bubble_style.align_v_temp == nil and bubble_style.align_v == "bottom") then
    -- pointer on top when bubble aligned to bottom
    pointer_pos.y = pos.y - pointer_sprite.height + bubble_style.pointer_top_offset_y
  else
    -- pointer on bottom when bubble aligned to top
    pointer_pos.y = pos.y + bubble_dim.y - bubble_style.pointer_bottom_offset_y
  end

  return pointer_pos
end



-- ADD DRAW FUNCTIONS TO THE RENDERING
graphics.addDrawFunc("bubble_below_interface()", 0)
graphics.addDrawFunc("bubble_above_interface()", 1)



--[[

MIT License

Copyright 2024 The Argonauts

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.

]]


Resources

Name Description
argo_bubbles_2.3.0.zip A working example of the script in action. Visionaire Studio 5.3+ required to run the included .ved file(s).