SHARDS Hub - Gallery MODULE

An advanced Gallery Module for Ren'Py Visual Novels featuring unlimited chapter organization, 4-category tag filtering per scenes (Characters, Actions, Location, Mood). 

Persistentent unlock system with story progress integration, and responsive thumbnail grids. Includes Favorites (this is separate built-in, and made for Gallery Core only, not the Favorites Module) integration, advanced filter grid with auto-wrapping, smooth hover effects, and comprehensive scene management. 

Supports any Ren'Py-compatible image format with customizable UI colors and developer-friendly configuration.

Highlights of SHARDS Hub - Gallery Core

• Multi‑Chapter Gallery with unlimited Chapters,.
• Custom Tabs and Custom Backgrounds for your categories. 
• Scenes TAG filters like Characters, Actions, Location and Mood.
• Persistent unlocks synced to story progress.
• Favorites Tab special made for Gallery Module.
• Seamless integration with SHARDS Hub
  

FAQ

Q - How do I make a CG gallery in Ren'Py?

default shards_gallery_scenes = {
    ## CHAPTER 1 SCENES ##
    "chapter1": {
        "demo_velanthe": {
            "title": "Velanthe's Poem",
            "label": "DEMO_VelanthePoem",
            "thumbnail": "SHARDS_Hub/Thumbnails/demo_velanthe_active.png",
            "unlocked": True,
            "tags": {
                "characters": ["Velanthe"],
                "actions": ["Poem", "Monologue", "Reflection"],
                "location": ["Lake of Whispers"],
                "mood": ["Sadness", "Nostalgia", "Melancholy"]
            }
        },
        "demo_aevia": {
            "title": "Dragon's Echo", 
            "label": "DEMO_AeviaDragon",
            "thumbnail": "SHARDS_Hub/Thumbnails/demo_aevia_active.png",
            "unlocked": True,
            "tags": {
                "characters": ["Aevia"],
                "actions": ["Reflection", "Monologue", "Magic"],
                "location": ["Dragon's Retreat"],
                "mood": ["Contemplative", "Mysterious", "Ethereal"]
            }
        }
    },

This is just an example how scenes are structured in the SHARDS_Demo.rpy file, you can either use that or create a new .rpy file holding your scenes. 

As you can see, you have everything you need there to set up your scene, tags, and the Chapter / ACT / Episode whatever you choose in your Visual Novel game. If you do not wish to use Actions or Mood tags, you can just comment them out. 

Q - How do I unlock scenes in the actual game for players or make decisions based on them either locked/unlocked for different mechanics. 

To unlock a scene use something like this 

$ shards_gallery_unlock_scene("chapter1", "demo_velanthe")

The Chapter / ACT / Episode goes first, then the name of the scene you set up. 

And in your actual gameplay scenes like this. 

label ch1_velanthe:
    # Unlock the scene for gallery replay
    $ shards_gallery_unlock_scene("chapter1", "demo_velanthe")
    # Continue story...
    return

Reaching this point will unlock the scene in Gallery for users to watch over and over. Or the check in case they already have the scene unlocked and you want to do something for them. 

label ch1_velanthe: 
    ## Actual gameplay and writting
    if shards_gallery_is_unlocked("chapter1", "scene_morning"):
        
        # Do something or pass
    else:
        scene IMG with dissolve
        ## Gameplay and writing

This is of course an example, you just go crazy with the options, it's up to you. 

Q - How do I set custom backgrounds for Favorites / Chapter 1 etc... 

This is actually simple, in the main screen of the Gallery you will see something like this, first define your images then add them into the python block. 

Define your images like this or just pass the path into the gallery_bg, up to you. 

define SHARDSGallery_ChapterI = ("SHARDS_Hub/UI/SHARDS_GalleryCH1_Background.jpg")

And your python should look like this. 

python:
    shards_gallery_update_unlocked_status()
    ## SET BACKGROUND FOR FAVORITES ##
    if shards_gallery_current_act == "favorites":
        gallery_bg = SHARDSGalleryBackground
        gallery_frame = SHARDSFrameOverlay
    ## SET BACKGROUND FOR CHAPTERS ##
    elif shards_gallery_current_act == "chapter1":
        gallery_bg = SHARDSGallery_ChapterI
        gallery_frame = SHARDSFrameOverlay
    elif shards_gallery_current_act == "chapter2":
        gallery_bg = SHARDSGallery_ChapterII
        gallery_frame = SHARDSFrameOverlay
    ## THIS IS FALLBACK IN CASE YOUR BG's ARE NOT SET OR FOUND
    else:             
        gallery_bg = SHARDSGalleryBackground
        gallery_frame = SHARDSFrameOverlay

As you can see, you can set the background and frame for each one of them, or add more, it's up to you!

🔗 Related Modules

SHARDS Hub - Harmony Module

SHARDS Hub - Favorites Module

SHARDS Hub - Achievements Module

SHARDS Hub - Ren'Py Visual Novel Framework

SHARDS Hub - Official Documentation & Guides

For full implementation and guides, please check out SHARDS_Hub_Documentation.html