The Character>Import menu command copies all of a character's attributes (name, gender, role, icon, characteristics, etc.) from a Dramatica Character File of your choice to a new character in the currently open project. You can import the deliberately stereotypical characters (Bully, Optimist, Screamer, etc.) that Dramatica supplies, or import from a character file created with the Character Export command.

A character can be imported into any currently open project document. You can import a character while in any area of Dramatica, such as the Desktop. To Import a character:

1.Open the Dramatica story file you want to import a character into.

2.Under the Character Menu, select Import. The Import Dramatica Character dialog box displays.

3.Double-click on the Dramatica Character File to import, e.g., Optimist.dcf. (If the Import Character's characteristics conflict with selections you've already made for other characters, you are prompted to make changes.)

4.Under the Character Menu, select Character List. The character you imported is now part of your cast of characters. Customize the character name, icon, description, etc. as desired.

You can also Import a Character by using the Open command:

1.Open the Dramatica story file you want to import a character into.

2.Under the File Menu, select Open. The Open Dramatica Story File dialog box displays.

3.In the Files of type pop-up menu, select All Files.

4.Double-click on the Dramatica Character File to import, e.g., Optimist.dcf. (If the Import Character's characteristics conflict with selections you've already made for other characters, you are prompted to make changes.) Dramatica displays a dialog box telling you that a character file has been imported.

5.Under the Character Menu, select Character List. The character you imported is now part of your cast of characters. Customize the character name, icon, description, etc. as desired.

Note: The Typecast feature is similar to Character Import, using the stereotype characters in the Character Files folder. The difference is that Typecast only adds the Characteristics (from the Character Elements Grid of Assign Characteristics window) of the character, and adds them to a selected character instead of creating a new character. Characteristic Notes are also transferred, and either add to or replace the existing Notes, depending on your Character Options settings (see Characteristic Notes).