| name | format-export |
| wtfbId | wtfb:format-export |
| description | 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 delivery formats.
Use when: exporting screenplay to PDF, converting to Final Draft (FDX),
generating HTML preview, or preparing scripts for delivery.
|
Format Export Skill
Invocation Triggers
Apply this skill when:
- Exporting screenplay to PDF
- Converting to Final Draft (FDX)
- Generating HTML preview
- Preparing scripts for delivery
Recommended: Better Fountain Extension
The simplest export method uses the Better Fountain VS Code extension:
| Format | Command Palette Action |
|---|
| PDF | Fountain: Export to PDF |
| FDX | Fountain: Export to FDX |
| HTML | Fountain: Export to HTML |
Steps:
- Open
.fountain file in VS Code
- Press
Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS)
- Type the export command
- Choose output location
Extension: Better Fountain on VS Code Marketplace
Export Formats Overview
| Format | Extension | Purpose | Tools |
|---|
| PDF | .pdf | 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 |
PDF Export
Industry Standard Format
- Font: Courier 12pt
- Margins: 1.5" left, 1" right, 1" top/bottom
- Page Size: US Letter (8.5" x 11")
- Page Numbers: Top right, starting page 2
Better Fountain (Recommended)
In VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P → "Fountain: Export to PDF"
CLI: afterwriting (for automation)
npm install -g afterwriting
afterwriting --source screenplay.fountain --pdf
afterwriting --source screenplay.fountain --pdf --config pdf-config.json
afterwriting --source screenplay.fountain --pdf --output script.pdf
PDF Configuration (pdf-config.json)
{
"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
}
Highland (macOS)
- Open .fountain file in Highland
- File → Export → PDF
- Configure options in preferences
Wrap (macOS)
- Open .fountain file
- File → Export → PDF
FDX Export (Final Draft XML)
Purpose
- Import into Final Draft software
- Collaboration with Final Draft users
- Industry compatibility
Better Fountain (Recommended)
In VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P → "Fountain: Export to FDX"
CLI: screenplain (for automation)
pipx install screenplain
screenplain --format fdx screenplay.fountain output.fdx
Note: afterwriting does NOT support FDX export. Use Better Fountain, screenplain, or Highland.
Highland Export (macOS)
Highland 2 offers native FDX export:
- Open
.fountain file in Highland 2
- File → Export → Final Draft
Compatibility Notes
- Basic Fountain elements export cleanly
- Notes, sections, synopses may not transfer
- Review formatting after import to Final Draft
- Scene numbers transfer if present
HTML Export
Purpose
- Web-based reading
- Easy sharing via URL
- Print from browser
Better Fountain (Recommended)
In VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P → "Fountain: Export to HTML"
CLI: afterwriting (for automation)
afterwriting --source screenplay.fountain --html
HTML Configuration
{
"html_use_paper_size": true,
"html_scenes_numbers": "none",
"html_print_dialogue_numbers": false
}
Custom HTML Template
For custom styling, process Fountain to JSON then apply template:
afterwriting --source screenplay.fountain --fountain --output screenplay.json
Export Workflow
Pre-Export Checklist
Export Process
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
Post-Export Verification
Version Naming
Convention
[Title]_v[Major].[Minor]_[YYYYMMDD].[ext]
Examples
Seoul_Identity_v1.0_20251227.pdf
Seoul_Identity_v1.1_20251228.pdf
Seoul_Identity_v2.0_20260115.pdf
Seoul_Identity_v2.0_20260115.fdx
Major vs. Minor
- Major (1.0 → 2.0): Significant rewrite
- Minor (1.0 → 1.1): Polish, small changes
Platform-Specific Notes
macOS
- Highland: Best native Fountain support
- Wrap: Simple, clean interface
- Slugline: Also available
Windows/Linux
- afterwriting CLI: Cross-platform
- Trelby: Open source screenwriting
- WriterSolo: Online option
Online Tools
- afterwriting.com: Web-based export
- WriterSolo: Cloud-based option
Troubleshooting
PDF Issues
| 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 |
FDX Issues
| 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 |
HTML Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|
| Print looks wrong | Use paper size option |
| Styling off | Use default CSS or customize |
Export Scripts
Note: For manual exports, use the Better Fountain extension. The scripts below are for CI/CD automation.
Bash Export All Formats
#!/bin/bash
SCRIPT="screenplay.fountain"
NAME="Seoul_Identity"
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d)
VERSION="1.0"
afterwriting --source $SCRIPT --pdf --output "${NAME}_v${VERSION}_${DATE}.pdf"
screenplain --format fdx $SCRIPT "${NAME}_v${VERSION}_${DATE}.fdx"
afterwriting --source $SCRIPT --html --output "${NAME}_v${VERSION}_${DATE}.html"
echo "Export complete:"
ls -la ${NAME}_v${VERSION}_${DATE}.*
Export Checklist
PDF Delivery
FDX Delivery
Competition Submission
