[scribus] alignment of text frames after inserting a new page

[John Culleton]

On Saturday 06 March 2010 08:17:23 Peter Nermander wrote:
> > Yes and no. Depends on how the book is structured. For instance, as is
> > often the case, chapters start on a right page.
>
> I think it is very inappropriate to make such an assumption. I just
> looked through a few books here and many of them start new chapters on
> a left page.
>
> >      - Additional note: and the total pagination of the book must
> > always be considered when you add or remove pages. A book of 301 pages
> > doesn?t exist
> >      in a printer?s reality.
>
> No problem at all, in almost all books I have seen there is a padding
> with empty pages at the end if the number of pages does not match what
> is needed in the imposition. I don't think any author writes a book
> trying to target a multiple of 16 or 32 pages (which as far as I know
> are the most common impositions used for books).
>
> > Just as a parenthesis in this discussion, allow me to doubt that a
> > word processor would do a better job in this particular case. End of
> > parenthesis!
>
> Well, at least MS Word handles inside and outside margins correctly
> when you chose pacing pages. Also if I put a text frame in the margin
> I can set the position according to "book layout" and it will stay for
> example in the outer margin no matter if it is a left page or a right
> page. I just tried it to be sure.
>
> > As for TeX, even if it is true (and I cannot be sure as I don?t know
> > enough TeX), the idea of finding a way of solving the situation
> > *within Scribus? capacities* is important too. If someone has started
> > to layout a book of 300 pages in Scribus and finds himself in front of
> > such an issue, we can help by finding Scribus ways of solving the
> > issue.
>
> Well, the logic for aligning the main text frame is easy, as far as I
> see it: positioning relative margins (not the page edge). In this case
> if would be "0 from left margin". In MS Word you can chose absolute
> (which has the page edges as reference) and relative (where it can be
> relative margin or column for horisontal and relative margin or
> paragraph för vertical).
>
> As for a margin note, we also need conditional formatting and that is
> one step further. Maybe for a facing layout be able to set the
> reference relative "inside margin" or "outside margin".
>
> Of course if we can have formulas in the position fields it can be
> solved that way, but I think most users will prefer radio buttons and
> dropdown selections for the most common things.
>
> /Peter
>
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MSWord and TeX share one characteristic, they both lay out pages on the fly. 
Thus it is easier to handle inserts of text.  Most DTP programs are however 
page oriented, InDesign and Quark as well as Scribus. Given this page 
orientation inserts of text and of whole pages aren't going to be as smooth 
as they are in MSWord and TeX. 

I view Scribus as the optimum application for book covers and brochures, 
advertisements, newsletters etc. For book length documents with or without 
footnotes, bibiliography, indexes etc. TeX is still king around here. 

MSWord has many limitations, including no CMYK, no hanging punctuation, few 
choices for PDF output,  and no paragraph at a time layout. IMO it is a 
poor choice for anything more demanding than a term paper or an office memo. 
Scribus has the first three covered  will have the third via a TeX exit and 
return. 

Scribus  is not likely to be my choice for book length work. But I wouldn't 
start a cover without it.   I even wrote an e-book on the subject....
-- 
John Culleton
"Create Book Covers with Scribus"
Printable E-book 38 pages $5.95
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24676863/
http://www.booklocker.com/books/4055.html