OBS Magic: The Gathering Layout Generator

Creates OBS streaming layouts and card grids for Magic: The Gathering. Used by Clock Spinning Podcast.

Quick Start

Run the script and choose a mode:

./download_images.py

Three modes available:

• SCRY: Fetch cards from Scryfall search query
• BOOST: Generate a random booster pack
• CUSTOM: Use your own images

SCRY Mode

Fetch cards from Scryfall and create layouts.

./download_images.py

1. Choose SCRYFALL mode
2. Enter search query (e.g., set:neo, type:creature cmc:3)
3. Enter grid arrangement (e.g., 8x0, 9x0)

See Scryfall syntax for search queries.

Example queries:

• set:neo - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty cards
• type:creature cmc:3 - 3-mana creatures
• c:red type:instant - Red instants
• rarity:mythic - Mythic rares

BOOST Mode

Generate a random booster pack for any set.

./download_images.py

1. Choose BOOSTER mode
2. Enter set code (e.g., NEO, ONS, TSP)

The script handles set-specific booster structures automatically:

• Historical sets (Arabian Nights, The Dark, etc.)
• Pre-mythic era (11/3/1 structure)
• Modern sets (mythic rarity, 1/8 chance)
• Special cards (Time Spiral timeshifted)

Grid arrangement is determined automatically.

CUSTOM Mode

Use your own images instead of MTG cards.

./download_images.py

1. Choose CUSTOM mode
2. Enter grid arrangement (e.g., 8x0, 9x0)

Image requirements:

Create a /custom/ directory with paired images:

• Each pair needs a vertical (portrait) and horizontal (landscape) image
• Naming format: {number}v.{ext} and {number}h.{ext}
• Supported formats: png, jpg, jpeg, gif

Example:

custom/
  1v.png    # First vertical image
  1h.jpg    # First horizontal image
  2v.png    # Second vertical image
  2h.gif    # Second horizontal image
  3v.jpg    # Third vertical image
  3h.png    # Third horizontal image

Both images in each pair are required. Numbers can be non-sequential but must match.

Output

All modes produce:

• Individual layouts: images_export_final/ - Each image on marble background with frame and transparency
• Card grid: grid.png - Montage of all images on title background

Hero Image (Optional)

Add a custom image to first and last title slides:

1. Add hero.jpg, hero.png, hero.jpeg, or hero.gif to /resources/
2. Answer y when prompted for hero image

The hero image is resized (max 850×1250px) and centered on title slides.

Grid Arrangements

Format: {width}x{height}

Examples:

• 8x0 - 8 wide, auto height
• 9x0 - 9 wide, auto height
• 4x4 - 4×4 grid (16 images)
• 5x3 - 5 wide, 3 tall (15 images)

Use 0 for auto-calculated dimension.

Cleanup

Remove generated files:

./cleanup.py

Requirements

• Python 3
• ImageMagick: brew install imagemagick
• wget: brew install wget

Standalone Booster Builder

View booster composition without generating images:

./booster_builder.py

Enter a set code to see card composition and rarity breakdown.

File Structure

obs-layouts/
├── booster_builder.py          # Booster composition tool
├── cleanup.py                  # Cleanup utility
├── download_images.py          # Main script
├── scry                        # Scryfall API client
├── resources/                  # Background assets
└── legacy_bash_scripts/        # Original bash implementations

The Python scripts replaced brittle bash implementations. Bash versions preserved in legacy_bash_scripts/ for reference.

Troubleshooting

"Command not found": Install missing dependencies (ImageMagick, wget, Python 3)

Custom directory validation errors: Ensure all numbered pairs have both v and h images with matching numbers

License

Code: MIT License (Copyright 2025 Austin Schaefer). See LICENSE.

Assets in /resources/: All rights reserved. May not be copied, modified, or distributed without permission.

Bundles scrycall (MIT licensed) for convenience.