SillyBubble/Generator.md

SillyBubble Image Generator - Design Document

Component Architecture

The SillyBubble image generator creates comic-style chat visualizations with a modular component system. The final image has a 5:1 width-to-height ratio, composed of layered elements.

Core Components

1. Background Layer

   • Full 5:1 ratio base image for setting style/mood
   • Can be themed (e.g., fantasy, sci-fi, cozy, etc.)
   • Provides consistent canvas for all other elements

2. Character Layer (Chibi)

   • Positioned on the left side of the image
   • Various character images with different expressions/poses
   • Takes approximately 20% of the total width
   • Named by character (e.g., "bianca.png", "ruby.png")

3. Bubble Layer

   • Semi-transparent speech bubble
   • Positioned to the right of the character
   • Includes a pointer/tail connecting to the character
   • Takes approximately 70% of the total width
   • Various styles (rounded, square, cloud, thought, etc.)

4. Text Layer

   • Dynamically rendered text content
   • Positioned within the bubble boundaries
   • Supports word-wrapping and styling
   • Font options compatible with the overall theme

Implementation Approach

File Structure and Naming Convention

/characters/                            - Main directory for all characters
  /Example/                             - Example character (fallback)
    background.png                      - Background image
    character.png                       - Character image
    speech.png                          - Speech bubble
    thought.png                         - Thought bubble
  /Bianca/                              - Another character
    background.png                      - Background image
    character.png                       - Character image 
    speech.png                          - Speech bubble
    thought.png                         - Thought bubble
/fonts/*.ttf                            - Font files

Each character has their own directory containing all assets. If a specific character's asset is missing, the system will fall back to the Example character's corresponding asset.

Image Dimensions

• Total Image: 2000×400px (5:1 ratio)
• Background: Full 2000×400px canvas
• Character: ~400×400px (20% of width)
• Bubble: ~1400×300px (70% of width)
• Text Area: ~1300×250px (inside bubble)
• Remaining 10% (200px width) for margins and spacing

Parameter System

The enhanced image.php will accept:

• q: Text content (required)
• character: Character to use (e.g., "bianca") - if not provided, defaults to "Example"
• bubble_type: "speech" or "thought" (defaults to "speech")
• style: Legacy parameter, can be used instead of character parameter

Backward Compatibility:

• If only style is provided (no character), the script will use the style value as the character name
• This ensures the SillyTavern extension doesn't need modification

Image Composition Process

1. Load or create background layer (full canvas)
2. Check if character exists and overlay on left side
3. Position and overlay appropriate bubble template
4. Calculate text boundaries within bubble
5. Render text with proper wrapping and styling
6. Output final composed image

Dynamic Bubble Generation

• If no bubble template exists, dynamically draw a bubble
• Support both template-based and on-the-fly bubble generation
• Ensure proper connection between character and bubble

Visual Representation

FINAL COMPOSITION (5:1 ratio):
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                                      |
|  +--------+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+      |
|  |        |    |                                                              |      |
|  |  CHIBI |<---+                       TEXT CONTENT                           |      |
|  |        |    |                                                              |      |
|  +--------+    +--------------------------------------------------------------+      |
|                                                                                      |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Feature Roadmap

1. Basic Implementation

   • Support for character-based styling
   • Simple bubble positioning
   • Proper text wrapping

2. Enhanced Features

   • Multiple character positions (left/right)
   • Various bubble styles
   • Expression selection for characters

3. Advanced Features

   • Multiple characters in one image
   • Animated GIF output option
   • Theme-based text styling