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This skill provides screenplay export procedures for PDF, FDX, and HTML. Covers Better Fountain VS Code extension, afterwriting CLI, and Highland for converting Fountain files to industry-standard...
Apply this skill when:
The simplest export method uses the Better Fountain VS Code extension:
| Format | Command Palette Action |
|---|---|
Fountain: Export to PDF |
|
| FDX | Fountain: Export to FDX |
| HTML | Fountain: Export to HTML |
Steps:
.fountain file in VS CodeCtrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS)| Format | Extension | Purpose | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry standard delivery | Better Fountain, afterwriting, Highland | ||
| FDX | .fdx | Final Draft import | Better Fountain, screenplain, Highland |
| HTML | .html | Web preview/sharing | Better Fountain, afterwriting |
| Plain Text | .txt | Accessibility, archival | direct copy |
In VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P -> "Fountain: Export to PDF"
# Install
npm install -g afterwriting
# Basic PDF export
afterwriting --source screenplay.fountain --pdf
# With configuration
afterwriting --source screenplay.fountain --pdf --config pdf-config.json
# Output to specific file
afterwriting --source screenplay.fountain --pdf --output script.pdf
{
"print_title_page": true,
"print_profile": "default",
"print_header": "",
"print_footer": "",
"print_watermark": "",
"print_dialogue_numbers": false,
"print_notes": false,
"print_sections": false,
"print_synopses": false,
"scenes_numbers": "none",
"each_scene_on_new_page": false
}
In VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P -> "Fountain: Export to FDX"
# One-time installation (requires Python 3.8+ and pipx)
pipx install screenplain
# Export to FDX
screenplain --format fdx screenplay.fountain output.fdx
In VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P -> "Fountain: Export to HTML"
afterwriting --source screenplay.fountain --html
1. Validate Fountain file
2. Run export command
3. Verify output file created
4. Open and review output
5. Check page count
6. Verify title page
7. Sample check formatting
8. Package for delivery
[Title]_v[Major].[Minor]_[YYYYMMDD].[ext]
Seoul_Identity_v1.0_20251227.pdf
Seoul_Identity_v1.1_20251228.pdf
Seoul_Identity_v2.0_20260115.pdf
Seoul_Identity_v2.0_20260115.fdx
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Wrong fonts | Check PDF config, ensure Courier |
| Bad margins | Verify config matches standards |
| Missing title page | Enable in config |
| Notes appearing | Disable print_notes |
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Elements misformatted | Review in Final Draft, adjust |
| Notes missing | Expected - FDX doesn't support all |
| Dual dialogue broken | May need manual fix in FD |
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Print looks wrong | Use paper size option |
| Styling off | Use default CSS or customize |
