Character Creation Panels Library

A comprehensive suite of panels for managing character creation, selection, and management within the Lilia framework.

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Overview

The character creation panel library provides all the necessary components for character management, from initial creation to ongoing character administration. These panels work together to create a seamless character creation flow, including biography input, faction selection, model selection, attribute distribution, and character management. All panels integrate with Lilia's character system and theming framework.

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liaCharacter

Purpose

Main panel of the character selection menu. Lists the player's characters with options to create, delete or load them.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Displaying the character selection menu - Managing existing characters - Providing character overview and selection - Handling character loading and deletion

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Example Usage

-- Character panel is automatically created by the framework
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the character system

-- Access programmatically if needed
local charPanel = lia.gui.character
if IsValid(charPanel) then
    -- Refresh character list
    charPanel:RefreshCharacters()
end

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liaCharacterCreation

Purpose

Parent panel that hosts each character creation step such as biography, faction and model. It provides navigation buttons and validates input before advancing.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Starting the character creation process - Managing multi-step character creation flow - Providing guided character setup experience - Handling complex character creation workflows

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Example Usage

-- Usually created by the framework during character creation
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the character system

-- Programmatic access for custom workflows
local creationPanel = lia.gui.characterCreation
if IsValid(creationPanel) then
    -- Navigate to specific step
    creationPanel:GoToStep("faction")
end

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liaCharacterCreateStep

Purpose

Scroll panel used as the foundation for each creation step. Provides helpers for saving user input and moving forward in the flow.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Creating individual steps in character creation - Building modular character creation interfaces - Implementing reusable creation step components - Managing step-by-step user input processes

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Example Usage

-- Usually created by the framework as part of character creation
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the character system

-- Create custom step for advanced workflows
local customStep = vgui.Create("liaCharacterCreateStep")
customStep:SetSize(400, 300)
customStep:SetupStep("Custom Step", function()
    -- Custom step validation logic
    return true
end)

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liaCharacterConfirm

Purpose

Confirmation dialog used for dangerous actions like deleting a character. Inherits from SemiTransparentDFrame for a consistent overlay look.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Confirming character deletion - Validating destructive character operations - Displaying confirmation dialogs for character actions - Providing safety checks for character management

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Example Usage

-- Usually created by the framework for confirmation dialogs
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the character system

-- Custom confirmation for advanced use cases
local confirmDialog = vgui.Create("liaCharacterConfirm")
confirmDialog:SetTitle("Delete Character")
confirmDialog:SetMessage("Are you sure you want to delete this character?")
confirmDialog:SetupButtons(function()
    print("Character deleted")
end, function()
    print("Deletion cancelled")
end)

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liaCharacterBiography

Purpose

Step where players input their character's name and optional backstory. These values are validated and stored for later steps.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Collecting character name and description - Gathering character backstory information - Validating character naming requirements - Managing character identity input

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Example Usage

-- Usually created as part of character creation flow
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the character system

-- Custom biography step for advanced character creation
local bioStep = vgui.Create("liaCharacterBiography")
bioStep:SetupFields({
    name = {
        label = "Character Name",
        maxLength = 32,
        required = true
    },
    description = {
        label = "Character Description",
        maxLength = 500,
        required = false
    }
})

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liaCharacterFaction

Purpose

Allows the player to choose from available factions. The selected faction updates the model panel and determines accessible classes.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Selecting character faction during creation - Displaying available faction options - Managing faction selection interface - Updating faction-dependent character options

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Example Usage

-- Usually created as part of character creation flow
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the character system

-- Custom faction selection for advanced workflows
local factionStep = vgui.Create("liaCharacterFaction")
factionStep:LoadFactions()
factionStep.OnFactionSelected = function(faction)
    print("Selected faction:", faction.name)
end

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liaCharacterModel

Purpose

Lets the player browse and select a player model appropriate for the chosen faction. Clicking an icon saves the choice and refreshes the preview.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Selecting character model during creation - Displaying model selection interface - Managing faction-appropriate model choices - Providing visual character customization

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Example Usage

-- Usually created as part of character creation flow
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the character system

-- Custom model selection for advanced character creation
local modelStep = vgui.Create("liaCharacterModel")
modelStep:LoadModelsForFaction(selectedFaction)
modelStep.OnModelSelected = function(model)
    print("Selected model:", model)
end

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liaCharBGMusic

Purpose

Small panel that plays ambient music when the main menu is open. It fades the track in and out as the menu is shown or closed.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Playing background music in menus - Managing audio ambiance for character screens - Providing atmospheric sound design - Creating immersive menu experiences

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Example Usage

-- Background music panel is automatically created by the framework
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the menu system

-- Custom music management for advanced audio control
local musicPanel = vgui.Create("liaCharBGMusic")
musicPanel:PlayTrack("character_creation_theme")
musicPanel:SetVolume(0.5)

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liaCharacterAttribs

Purpose

Character creation step panel for distributing attribute points across stats.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Distributing character attribute points - Managing character stat allocation - Providing attribute customization interface - Handling point-based character development

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Custom Functions

• updatePointsLeft() – refreshes the remaining points label.
• onDisplay() – loads saved attribute values into the rows.
• addAttribute(key, info) – creates a liaCharacterAttribsRow for the attribute.
• onPointChange(key, delta) – validates and applies a point change request.

Example Usage

-- Usually created as part of character creation flow
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the character system

-- Custom attribute distribution for advanced character creation
local attribPanel = vgui.Create("liaCharacterAttribs")
attribPanel:AddAttribute("strength", {
    name = "Strength",
    description = "Physical power and combat ability",
    max = 10,
    default = 5
})
attribPanel:UpdatePointsLeft()

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liaCharacterAttribsRow

Purpose

Represents a single attribute with its description and current points, including buttons for adjustment.

When Called

This panel is called when: - Displaying individual character attributes - Managing single attribute point allocation - Providing detailed attribute controls - Creating granular attribute management

Parameters

This panel does not require parameters during creation.

Returns

This panel does not return values.

Realm

Client.

Custom Functions

• setAttribute(key, info) – sets which attribute the row represents and updates its tooltip.
• delta(amount) – requests a point change of amount from the parent panel.
• addButton(symbol, delta) – internal helper that creates the increment/decrement buttons.
• updateQuantity() – refreshes the displayed point total.

Example Usage

-- Usually created by liaCharacterAttribs panel
-- No manual creation needed - it's part of the attribute system

-- Custom attribute row for advanced attribute management
local attribRow = vgui.Create("liaCharacterAttribsRow")
attribRow:SetAttribute("strength", {
    name = "Strength",
    description = "Physical power and combat ability",
    max = 10,
    min = 1
})

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