Bible Plugin

for OBS Studio

  Overview

Learn how to set up the Coffee Version using the File method. This guide covers how to set up the Bible plugin from scratch.

Important Notes:

  • The File method only uses the Generator program. The Server program is not used.
  • For more information on alternative methods of setting up the Coffee Version and the pros and cons of each approach, please refer to the Coffee Version setup page.

  Before You Begin

If you already have the free online version set up in OBS Studio, you will need to remove it first. The Coffee Version and the Online Version are not compatible with each other; mixing both versions will likely cause issues and result in confusion.

  Available Files to Download

After purchasing the Coffee Version, you will receive an email with a unique download link. If you click the link, you will see a number of files you can download.

For example, here are the files that were available in v1.4.4 of the Bible Plugin:

OBS.Studio.Bible.Plugin.Generator-win32-x64-1.4.4.zip
Generator program for 64-bit Windows.
OBS.Studio.Bible.Plugin.Generator-win32-ia32-1.4.4.zip
Generator program for 32-bit Windows.
OBS.Studio.Bible.Plugin.Generator-linux-x64-1.4.4.zip
Generator program for 64-bit Linux.
OBS.Studio.Bible.Plugin.Generator-darwin-x64-1.4.4.zip
Generator program for 64-bit Mac.
Bible.Plugin.for.OBS.Studio.Server-win32-x64-1.0.0.zip
Server program for 64-bit Windows.
Bible.Plugin.for.OBS.Studio.Server-win32-ia32-1.0.0.zip
Server program for 32-bit Windows.
Bible.Plugin.for.OBS.Studio.Server-linux-x64-1.0.0.zip
Server program for 64-bit Linux.
Bible.Plugin.for.OBS.Studio.Server-mac-x64-1.0.0.zip
Server program for 64-bit Mac.

For File Setup, you only need the Generator program for your operating system. The Server program is not required.

  About the Generator

Generator program user interface
The Generator program

What is the Generator program? It is a portable executable that allows you to use your own Bibles with the Bible Plugin. It works by using a blank version of the Bible Plugin and filling it with the Bibles you have selected. It then copies the plugin to a folder of your choice.

Using the Generator has the following advantages:

  • Customizable: choose which Bible translations you want.
  • Offline access: you do not need an Internet connection to use the plugin.
  • Self-contained: the generated plugin is contained in one folder.

Here are some things you should be aware of:

  • The Generator program includes some common public domain Bibles but can also read other Bibles. If you plan to use other Bibles not already included, please keep in mind that the Generator program can only read OpenLP Bibles. For this case, OpenLP should already be installed on the same computer and should already have the Bibles that you want to use inside it. Please note that not every OpenLP Bible is supported; for more information on supported Bibles, please refer to this FAQ.
  • File setup, while mostly the same as the Online Version, is slightly more complex for the generated plugin. This is because you will be using your own local files instead of an Internet website.

Please refer to the following FAQ questions for other relevant information:

  Using the Generator

List of available Bibles
Available Bibles (subject to change)

When you launch the program, you will be presented with all the Bible translations that the Generator has detected. Check the Bibles that you would like to include.

Bible edit screen
The Bible Edit Screen

If you click the Edit icon to the right of a Bible, you will enter the Bible editor. From here, you can customize the following:

Name
The name of the Bible translation. All selected Bibles must have unique names.
Abbreviation
The abbreviation of the Bible translation. This is usually all-caps and three to five letters long. The program will try to guess the abbreviation from the Bible name, but there may be times when you will have to manually set this.
Copyright
Bible copyright information.
Books
Select which books of the Bible you would like to include. For example, some Bibles include books from the Apocrypha, which you may not want.

When you are done, you can click Cancel to discard your changes or Save to apply them.

Output folder in the user interface
Output Folder

Remember to select which folder the plugin should be written to. Inside your chosen folder, a new folder named obs-bible-plugin will be created with all plugin files inside.

Successful plugin generation
Plugin Generation

When all the settings are to your liking, click the Generate button. A dialog should appear informing you that plugin generation was successful.

The generator will then tell you how to setup the plugin in OBS Studio. It is very similar to the instructions for the online version, but there are a few differences.

  Plugin Setup

Output Folder

To make it easier to follow this tutorial, you can enter the same output folder you set in the Generator here.

Platform:

Locations

These are the locations you need to enter in OBS Studio. Click on a link to copy.

Browser URL:

Dock URL:

Browser Source Setup

At the bottom of OBS Studio, there are two sections: 'Scenes' and 'Sources'. The cursor is hovered over the 'Add' button at the bottom of 'Sources'.
1. Adding a Browser Source

An OBS Studio Browser Source needs to be added in order for verses to be displayed. In the Sources panel at the bottom of OBS Studio, click the + icon.

A popup menu appears. The cursor is hovering over the 'Browser' option.
2. Choosing the Browser Option

In the popup menu, choose the Browser option.

A new dialog appears. The 'Create new' option is selected and the word 'Bible' has been typed into it.
3. Creating a New Browser Source

Choose Create New and enter a name. We recommend Bible or Bible Browser to keep things simple.

A new dialog window appears. It has many options to customize the source.
4. The New Browser Source Dialog

Click OK. A new dialog window should appear.

5. Using the Plugin Files
5. Using the Plugin Files

Make sure that the Local file option is not checked. Then, in the URL field, enter

6. Width and Height
6. Width and Height

Set the width and height according to your preferences. You can always change this setting later.

7. Save Changes
7. Save Changes

Click OK to save all changes and close the dialog.

A red rectange appears at the top of the OBS Studio preview.
8. Red Rectangle

You should see a red rectangle on the screen with nothing inside. This is where Bible verses will appear.

The red rectangle has been moved to the bottom of the OBS Studio preview.
9. Setting the Browser Source Location

If you like, you can drag the red rectangle to a location of your preference.

The popup menu after right-clicking the Bible in the Sources List of OBS Studio.
10. Readjusting the Width / Height

If the width/height is not to your liking, you can right-click the Bible browser source, click on Properties, and change them. Browser source setup is now complete.

Dock Setup

1. Adding a Custom Browser Dock
1. Adding a Custom Browser Dock

Adding the Bible dock allows us to control what is shown in the Bible Browser Source. In the OBS Studio toolbar, click

Docks → Custom Browser Docks… (OBS Studio v27.2.0+)
View → Docks → Custom Browser Docks… (OBS Studio pre-v27.2.0)

In a new dialog window, there are a Dock Name and URL to fill.
2. Setting a Dock Name

A dialog window should appear. Enter a Dock Name. We recommend Bible or Bible Dock to keep things simple.

3. Setting the Dock URL
3. Setting the Dock URL

Set the URL field to

After clicking Apply, a new dock window appears. The earlier dialog is still open.
4. Applying Changes

Click Apply. The Bible dock should open.

5. Closing the Custom Browser Docks Dialog
5. Closing the Custom Browser Docks Dialog

Close the Custom Browser Docks… dialog.

The newer Bible dock is being dragged to the right side of OBS Studio.
6. Setting the Dock Location

Drag the newly opened Bible dock to a location of your preference. The left or right sides of OBS Studio are good options.

The cursor is on the left edge of the dock. It can be dragged to change its size.
7. Resizing the Dock

If the dock is too small, resize it by dragging its side to a size of your preference. Setup for the dock is now complete.

Conclusion

You are now ready to use the plugin! Choose a Bible, enter a reference, and hit Submit. Click on any resulting verse and it should show up automatically on the browser source. Click it again to hide.

If you have any further questions, please refer to our guides or send us a message on our contact page.