The Storymap

The Storymap is where you build your narrative structure. The structure is composed of the following node types, which can be created using either the context menu (right-click) or with the floating Tools menu, which is located on the right-hand side of map canvas.

Screen_Shot_2022-10-26_at_11.59.27_AM.png

To select a node in the Storymap, click on it. To select multiple nodes, right-click and drag, or press Shift + left Click. You can also click-and-hold on different nodes to multi-select specific nodes.

The node types you will encounter are:

Sequences: Sequence nodes are your fundamental building blocks. Think of them as ‘units of narrative’. Double-clicking on them will open the floating script editor. Right-clicking on them and selecting ‘Edit’ will allow you to retitle them, and add additional descriptions.

Branches: Branch nodes are used to create points of divergence in the narrative chain. You can create Branch nodes directly off of Sequence nodes, or make them independently and connect them later. When you right-click on a branch node and select ‘Edit’, this will open the branch menu. In the ‘To Sequence…’ field, you can select existing Sequences or type the names of new ones. Upon updating, the branch connections will appear (if you have created new Sequences through the branch menu, they will appear as well).

Branch nodes also serve as ‘Cluster’ points. When you double-click on a Branch node, all connected nodes up until the next Branch node will collapse into a representative Cluster. Double-clicking again will un-cluster the content. This is purely a visualization tool, and does not affect the content or data model.

Portals: Portal nodes are used to create discrete, invisible connections between Sequence nodes both in the same container, and across different containers. Right-clicking on a Portal node and selecting ‘Edit’ will allow you to rename it, as well as set its destination. Choose which container and Sequence you would like the Portal to connect to, and click update. At the destination node, a counterpart Portal node will be automatically connected to it. Double-clicking on a connected Portal node will shift your view to its destination, and vice-versa.

Connections: Connections refer to the transitions between nodes on the Storymap. These are rendered as arrows, and additionally serve as the containers for any Condition objects that you may apply to the project.