Cross-references, number variables, list of contents, etc.?

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gctwnl

Now that I have found out that Scribus can pass-through my vector images to the final PDF without turning them into bitmaps, I wonder if I can migrate my InDesign project (which depends on that) to Scribus. Having looked at the documentation, I am under the impression that Scribus does not (yet) support:

  • number variables (e.g. for chapter heading styles, or view caption styles)
  • cross references (e.g. referring to "View 4 on page 56") where view number and page number are calculated automatically
  • automated tables of contents etc.
Am I correct? Because that would make it very difficult to use Scribus for a large book, like my own (currently created in InDesign): http://masteringarchimate.com/mastering-archimate-edition-i/

I would like to drop Adobe because of the leasing arrangement of CC. Having to pay perpetually (with unknown future prices and deals) to keep access to my own work is an unacceptable risk. I can keep using InDesign CS6, but it performs hideously on HiDPI displays like the MacBook Pro Retina.

In another (two years old, so it might be out of date) thread I read:
Quote from: Meho R. on September 03, 2011, 01:54:51 PM
So, my recommendations are:
1. For long texts, books, complex material which needs easy and automatic creation of, e.g., TOC, Index, Lists of Tables and Images, organizing cross-references, advanced bibliography features, etc., definitely LaTeX.
2. For magazines, newspapers, brochures and other material for which freedom to move things around freely is a must, Scribus is tool for the job.

And for the combination? My book project (see above link) needs both (currently in InDesign, which I would like to say goodbye to).

Thanks

GarryP

Unfortunately Scribus currently - as of 1.4.3 - can't do number variables or cross references. There are some fudges that work in some cases but they're nasty and should be avoided, in my opinion. Scribus can do simple TOCs but the functionality is limited.

However, and here's the good news - if you can wait - there are some very good additions coming to Scribus in version 1.5. These include variables, footnotes, and other reference functions. I don't know if there are any TOC improvements.

The last time I looked at 1.5.0svn - the "beta" of the next version - these features were coming on quite well - apart from various UI issues which will probably be sorted before the production version. (Unfortunately my copy of 1.5.0svn doesn't load anymore so I can't give you more details, but that's probably because of something I upgraded/changed and not a problem with Scribus itself.)

I've no idea if there are any 1.5.0svn installation builds available but if you are okay compiling your own code you can download the source and take it from there.

I also have no idea when 1.5 will be available as the stable version but the wait might be worth it. Maybe another forum member has more inside info?

It's worth noting that if you get a 1.5.0svn installation it will probably work fine but be aware that documents saved by it might not load in future releases if they use features that are discontinued or changed. And 1.4.3 can't load 1.5.0 documents either so you can't revert back to the last stable version. But it might be worth having a look anyway to see if it will do what you want when it comes out.

Having said all of that, lots of people have created long/complex publications using Scribus so you could have a look at the Success Stories section of the Wiki for some inspiration. See http://wiki.scribus.net/canvas/Success_stories_2013 and the links on the right of that page for more.

P.S. Your book looks great by the way.

gctwnl

Thanks Garry (also for the compliment).

I'll finish my next edition in ID CS6 and then have a look at Scribus again as soon as 1.5 is out.