Version 0.3.0 is the first release focused on a complete, reliable card-creation workflow.
In this version I wanted to make it easy to create cards, reuse artwork, manage your creations over time, and export finished cards — all directly in your browser, with no account required.
🃏 Create HeroQuest-Style Cards
Create cards using a growing set of classic-style templates, including:
- Hero cards
- Monster cards (with icons)
- Small and large artwork cards (treasure-style layouts)
- Card backs
Each card updates live as you edit, so you always see exactly what you’re creating.
🖼 Manage Your Artwork
Upload your artwork once and reuse it across as many cards as you like.
- Keep all your images in a shared artwork library
- Search assets by name
- Remove artwork you no longer need
No re-uploading the same image over and over.
📚 Save & Re-Edit Cards
Save cards into a personal library and come back to them later.
- Browse saved cards with thumbnails
- Search by name or card type
- Open any saved card back into the editor
- Update existing cards or save new versions
Your cards are no longer one-off creations.
📤 Export Print-Ready Cards
Export finished cards as high(ish)-resolution PNG images:
- Ideal for printing or sharing
- Filenames are automatically based on your card titles
💾 Backup & Restore Everything
Back up your entire library — cards, artwork, and editor state — into a single file.
- Restore your collection on another browser or computer
- Safe, explicit import with clear warnings
- Supports older backup formats as well
Your work stays portable and future-proof.
🌐 Works Anywhere
- Runs entirely in your browser
- No account, login, or server required
- Optional downloadable bundle for offline or self-hosted use
🎯 Why This Matters
- You can come back to your work
- You can organise it
- You can export it cleanly
- You can back it up
This lays the foundation for larger libraries, more templates, and more powerful features in future releases.
🔍 Current Limitations
HeroQuest Card Creator is an evolving tool, built with a strong focus on real-world usability, reliable workflows, and a solid foundation before expansion. This version is not with out its limitations many of which are intentional design choices, not technical blockers.
🌍 Language & Internationalisation
- The interface currently appears in English only.
- Internationalisation is implemented under the hood, but is temporarily disabled.
Support for additional languages was paused to focus on:
- Finalising template layouts
- Ensuring card content fits correctly within visual constraints
Some translated card text can exceed available space, particularly within card templates.
When internationalisation is revisited, this will likely require:
- Smarter text fitting or scaling
- Carefully curated translations
- Possibly allowing users to provide their own translation files
- Or community-assisted translations
Language support is planned, but will be approached thoughtfully rather than rushed.
🃏 Templates & Scope
The current template set reflects the cards I actively use:
- Character cards
- Monster cards
- Spells and treasure-style cards
- Card backs
- Additional templates are not required for my own play right now.
The template system has been designed so new templates can be added in the future, but expanding the template library was not the priority for this version.
The focus has been on:
- Building a complete, cohesive workflow
- Ensuring saving, loading, exporting, and backups all work reliably
More templates may be added when it makes sense — not simply to chase completeness.
📚 Card Organisation & Bulk Actions
- Cards are currently managed individually.
- There is no concept of collections, decks, or grouped card sets yet.
- Cards must be exported one at a time.
This is a known friction point — and also one of the next areas of interest.
Before introducing collections and bulk export, the app needed:
- A stable card library
- Reliable asset management
- Safe backup and restore
Those foundations are now in place.
📤 Export Options
- Cards can currently be exported as PNG images only.
- Each card is exported individually.
- PDF, SVG, or bundled exports are not available yet.
Future export improvements (including bulk export and additional formats) are being considered, but were intentionally deferred until the core workflow felt complete.
🖼 Asset Size & Storage
- Artwork is stored locally in the browser.
- Backup files include all assets at their original size.
While this ensures fidelity, large images can increase backup size.
Possible future improvements may include:
- Optional image resizing or optimisation
- User-controlled asset compression
This requires careful consideration to avoid degrading card quality.
🎨 Advanced Customisation
- Templates are structured rather than fully free-form.
- There is no generic “blank” or fully modular card template yet.
- Some visual elements are fixed per template.
This is intentional — the goal is to keep the editor focused and calm, rather than overwhelming.
More flexible or modular templates may be explored in the future if they align with how the app is actually being used.
⚙️ Game Mechanics & Rules
- The editor focuses on classic HeroQuest-style card presentation.
- Advanced or highly custom rules systems are not a current priority.
The app supports the way I play and homebrew with my family.
Anything beyond that will only be added if it feels genuinely useful or interesting.
🔌 Accounts & Sync
- There are no user accounts.
- All data lives locally in your browser.
- There is no cloud sync between devices.
Backup and restore are the intended ways to move your work between machines.
🧭 Design Philosophy
HeroQuest Card Creator is built:
- For personal use first
- With expansion in mind, but not at the cost of stability
- To feel calm, predictable, and trustworthy
If you have ideas or feedback, they are always welcome — just keep in mind that some limitations may remain even as the app grows and that’s intentional. Not every suggestion will align with the long-term design goals of the app.