How-to & FAQ

The reference manual describes what each part of Libretto is. This section answers the other question: "I want to do X — where do I start?" Each entry opens with a direct answer, gives you the short list of steps, flags the thing that usually trips people up, and points you to the reference page for the details.

If you are brand new, read Core concepts first for the mental model (Dialogue, Subdialogue, line, Instance, Stage), then come back here.

Start here

• Getting started — get two characters talking, test it instantly, and make it play in-game.

By situation

(Writing, Staging your scene, Perspective & control, Cameras, Generation, Animation & gestures, Voices, Runtime & sequencing, 2D interfaces, Data & logic, Living content, and Extensions & troubleshooting.)

The fastest path: no stage, gameplay camera

You do not need to set up a stage, cameras or a cinematic to get a working conversation. A dialogue with no stage plays in 3C mode — it keeps the game's normal camera (first- or third-person) and simply drives the animation, audio and subtitles of the characters already in your level. Set up a Stage only when you want to direct the scene (placed characters, framed shots). Start in 3C, add staging later.