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Scribus => Beginner Talk => Topic started by: drozzell on March 08, 2013, 03:42:37 PM

Title: Applying Template to Every Page in 1.4.2
Post by: drozzell on March 08, 2013, 03:42:37 PM
I'm new to Scribus and have been creating PDF's using the template option at startup.  How can I apply the same template to every page?
Title: Re: Applying Template to Every Page in 1.4.2
Post by: GarryP on March 08, 2013, 04:25:12 PM
drozzell, I don't think you can apply a Scribus template to new pages.

One way of thinking about a Scribus template is it's like a "starting point" document. They're there to get you started with a style of page but after that you can't do much with them, such as re-apply them.

However, good templates should be set-up with correctly formatted master pages. Master pages are like page templates (sort of), I like to think of them as "page backgrounds". You can apply a master page to any page.

Be warned though that not all templates, including some bundled with Scribus, have correctly formatted master pages that you can re-apply to other pages (the menu template is one example where the master page is blank).

Without knowing exactly what you're trying to do I'm not sure how best to advise, but here's a general overview of something you can try.

* Set-up one page as what you'd want from a "template".
* Go to "Page -> Convert to Master Page..." and give the new master page a name.
* Insert a new page and use "Page -> Apply Master Page..." to give this new page the same "style" as the first.

One important thing you can't do with master pages is have stuff on the master page which can then be edited on the actual page it's applied to. Anything on a master page will be the same on every page it's applied to. So you will have to manually copy something you want to change.

Using master pages can be a bit difficult to get your head round at first, possibly because they're called master pages rather than page templates or page backgrounds or something else, but once you've grasped the idea they become second nature. It just takes a little time, the same as with any other bit of useful software.
Title: Re: Applying Template to Every Page in 1.4.2
Post by: utnik on March 08, 2013, 05:46:49 PM
hi drozzell

as you can't edit the objects from masterpages on a single document page, sometimes it's the better way to create a page as a template and copy it ('page' ➞ 'copy' ➞ sett the number of copies and where they have to be placed...)
with 'page' ➞ 'import' you can import a page from another .sla file.
you could create a .sla file with a couple of page templates and import the needed layouts from there...

utnik
Title: Re: Applying Template to Every Page in 1.4.2
Post by: dave61430 on March 09, 2013, 12:11:54 AM
Master pages in Scribus leave a little to be desired.
1. Guide lines are reproduced, but can be moved or deleted on a publication page
2. Changing from one master page to another on a publication page doesn't remove guide lines set by the first master page.
3. Putting an image frame on a master page does not act as a place holder.

On the bright side of things, Scribus let's you change your mind as to which master page to apply to a given page, which saves having to work around by delete etc.

Another little wish to add to the list, I would like objects placed on the background board to stay there when page scrolling, the scrap book serves the same function.
Title: Re: Applying Template to Every Page in 1.4.2
Post by: pedrusco on March 21, 2013, 12:00:13 AM
Quote from: utnik on March 08, 2013, 05:46:49 PM
hi drozzell

as you can't edit the objects from masterpages on a single document page, sometimes it's the better way to create a page as a template and copy it ('page' ➞ 'copy' ➞ sett the number of copies and where they have to be placed...)
with 'page' ➞ 'import' you can import a page from another .sla file.
you could create a .sla file with a couple of page templates and import the needed layouts from there...

utnik

Thank you a lot for your answer! It took a lot of time to me to learn how to use Scribus, I need to use it to create a catalog with images and text frames alway in the same position. I tried use my first page as a master page, but when I applied it to the others pages, I couldnt edit the frames. I read some threads here in the forum and learned that applying master pages just copy thing as background elements and I would have to send each element of the page to the Scrapbook and then insert them in all the pages. Because of you now I can simply copy the page and edit all the frames.
Maybe I didnt understand the true purpose of the masterpages, but you are the first one who came with a solution that works. I will let the others know about this copying page feature, cause I am certainly not the only one who really need it.

Thank you again! And if someone could tell me the different about masterpage, template and this copying page feature, it would be great!
Title: Re: Applying Template to Every Page in 1.4.2
Post by: dave61430 on March 21, 2013, 07:39:51 PM
The difference is you apply a master page (generally) to a new page. You can select from as many master page setups as you need. In Scribus, if you pick the wrong master page you can simply replace with another. Since I have only used a limited number of competing products, I can't speak for them all, but the one I've previously used (Serif Page Plus) didn't seem to allow for this.
A template is usually a sample document with picture and text layout that you replace with your own stuff as needed. It's meant to be a suggestion for design challenged people such as myself.
For your situation, you can do quite well by setting up master pages with guide lines. With snap to guide set, you can easily draw image and text frames as needed. The downside in Scribus is those guidelines can be moved on other than the master page, something that somewhat defeats their purpose. I am in the process of making a 55 page document with recurring image and text layouts. I'm doing very well with a couple of master pages with different guide line layout and a normal blank page. I've found simply locking the guides serves me well with no need to unlock, but should that need arise it's couple of mouse clicks.
Scribus grows on you, it's not perfect but is constantly being improved and unlike commercial products you won't be nickeled and dimed to death in paying for upgrades.
Title: Re: Applying Template to Every Page in 1.4.2
Post by: Nermander on March 22, 2013, 07:50:07 AM
Use the scrapbook!

Try this.

Start a new document.

Place objects on the page where you want them.

Select all objects on the page.

Right click and choose Send to scrapbook (you probably only have one scrapbook called Main at the moment).

Name the object (for example "Page template 1")

Delete all objects from the page.

Open the Scrapbook (Windows -> Scrapbook)

Double click on Page template 1.

Voila! You can repeat on as many pages you like.
Title: Re: Applying Template to Every Page in 1.4.2
Post by: dave61430 on March 22, 2013, 04:17:29 PM
That's a great suggestion, easier than what I am doing. Since I'm less the 1/5th through my publication I can put it to good use.