[scribus] Drop Caps

[a.l.e]

hi greg,
hi david,

> > hi david,
> > hi greg
> >
> >> On 04/05/2010 03:48 PM, David Butt wrote:
> >>> Is it possible to create a drop cap using styles on a paragraph
> >>> and apply a different style to the rest on the the paragraph. At
> >>> the moment the same style gets applied to the whole paragraph
> >>> including drop cap (this happens both ways). I'm using version
> >>> 1.3.5. Let me try and explain what I'm trying to do. Trying to
> >>> create a Q&A page with the letters Q&   A as drop caps in red and
> >>> blue. the style has been set up for this. the main text then is
> >>> just one other style but, when I try to set the drop cap style
> >>> (after only highlighting the drop cap) the other text takes on
> >>> the drop cap style, and when I highlight the other text and apply
> >>> the text style the it gets applied to the drop cap as well even
> >>> thoght it was no highlighted. I don't want to go down the route
> >>> of creating a separate text-box just for the drop caps not if
> >>> there is an easier way.
> >>>
> >> The problem comes from the fact that drop caps are a feature of
> >> paragraph styles but not character styles.
> >> You can apply a paragraph style with the drop cap, then a different
> >> character style for the rest, but the problem is that the baseline
> >> of the rest of the first line drops down to the bottom of the drop
> >> cap, so you get the drop cap sticking up -- might or might not be
> >> Ok for your purpose.
> >>
> >> In the end I think the separate frame for the drop cap is going to
> >> be your easiest way to deal with this.
> >
> > what about checking "drop cap" in the paragraph style and then
> > manually applying a character style to each drop cap?
> 
> As I said, drop caps are a feature of paragraph styles only, and 
> therefore are not available in character styles and not something you 
> can set in Properties. You can, of course, make that initial letter 
> larger, drop it down below the baseline, but then you have to deal
> with the text on the next line. The only situation this might work
> would be with a hanging indent.
> 
> As David noted, a paragraph style, when applied, will apply to the
> whole paragraph.

that's why i suggest david to use a character style to apply specific formatting to the drop cap (which is defined in the paragraph style).

so, if i understand correctly his problem:


a/ he has to define a paragraph style with drop cap enabled, but with the normal formatting for the paragraph

b/ define a character style with the formatting for the drop cap

b/ apply the paragraph style where he wants the drop cap

c/ apply the character style to the letter of the drop cap

http://imagebin.ca/view/Conn4xgh.html

still, scribus drop caps only support one single character... so no chance to put "Q&A" in the drop cap.

but this last issue will featured in our bug tracker very soon :-)

no, it's already there:
http://bugs.scribus.net/view.php?id=7587

ciao
a.l.e