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#1
Features / Re: Unequal/custom column widt...
Last post by a.l.e - September 18, 2026, 06:29:23 PMThis thread is not about the reasons why I'm cautious about the columns in the frames.
Anyway, the main reason relates to the effort and the complexity needed for replicating features that we already have at the items level (or that we should rather implement at that level and make available in other contexts).
That's why, I'd prefer that the features that get added to the columns provide a real benefit to the ones who use them because they perfectly fit their wworkflow.
And we don't add goodies just because we can.
Anyway, the main reason relates to the effort and the complexity needed for replicating features that we already have at the items level (or that we should rather implement at that level and make available in other contexts).
That's why, I'd prefer that the features that get added to the columns provide a real benefit to the ones who use them because they perfectly fit their wworkflow.
And we don't add goodies just because we can.
#2
Features / Re: Unequal/custom column widt...
Last post by buttar - September 18, 2026, 01:29:18 PM@a.l.e, I am kind of surprised at what you said in the first para. Imo, a continuous story that has to go in columns is better done as columns in the same frame rather than independent frames chained.
I am sure all who favoured the Custom Column (or whatever name you guys choose for it if/when it is implemented) feature would have their own use-cases. I usually need it for a three-column table-like spread:
Word | Transliteration | Meaning
At some point, the data item in any of them could be long/wide. Here, if it is just one word hanging into the next line (like the 'widow/orphan' thing for paragraphs), and could be solved by just increasing the width of the column a little, I would prefer that since tables are not that mature in Scribus yet.
If you try to achieve the same by using 3 independent text frames (chained or not), manually drawing them and equally spacing them is way more work/clicks than just using the custom columns feature: drawing guides/grid, drawing textframes, and spacing them. And when one of them still needs to change width at some point, the spacing and overall layout has to be adjusted.
Also, it would also help refine the layout when used in combination with the Span Column feature (when it is implemented). For one example, you have 3 columns in total and you want the title to only span 2 columns. Now the title should be two lines. But when you span the title to 2 columns, a word or two of the title gets into the 3rd line (the widow/orphan thing if you will), not visually pleasing. You wish that you could increase the columns' width only slightly that would make the title fit into two proper lines.
Here, the custom columns feature would work like the tracking/spacing in typography.
There are, of course, other use-cases that I don't even know about. I hope @utnik and others comment.
Also, is there a way to tag users with @ like we do it on the bugsite? (I used @ before a.l.e's name anyway as a test)
I am sure all who favoured the Custom Column (or whatever name you guys choose for it if/when it is implemented) feature would have their own use-cases. I usually need it for a three-column table-like spread:
Word | Transliteration | Meaning
At some point, the data item in any of them could be long/wide. Here, if it is just one word hanging into the next line (like the 'widow/orphan' thing for paragraphs), and could be solved by just increasing the width of the column a little, I would prefer that since tables are not that mature in Scribus yet.
If you try to achieve the same by using 3 independent text frames (chained or not), manually drawing them and equally spacing them is way more work/clicks than just using the custom columns feature: drawing guides/grid, drawing textframes, and spacing them. And when one of them still needs to change width at some point, the spacing and overall layout has to be adjusted.
Also, it would also help refine the layout when used in combination with the Span Column feature (when it is implemented). For one example, you have 3 columns in total and you want the title to only span 2 columns. Now the title should be two lines. But when you span the title to 2 columns, a word or two of the title gets into the 3rd line (the widow/orphan thing if you will), not visually pleasing. You wish that you could increase the columns' width only slightly that would make the title fit into two proper lines.
Here, the custom columns feature would work like the tracking/spacing in typography.
There are, of course, other use-cases that I don't even know about. I hope @utnik and others comment.
Also, is there a way to tag users with @ like we do it on the bugsite? (I used @ before a.l.e's name anyway as a test)
#3
General Discussion / Re: End of M$ publisher...
Last post by a.l.e - September 18, 2026, 07:26:50 AMA now deleted post was asking:
Do you think the app could auto‑detect new fonts without a restart, or is it just a bug that forces a full reload?
Answer:
As far as I know, Scribus currently does add fonts without requiring a restart.
I haven't checked it, and I've probably rarely done it, but Scribus should be able to load the fonts you attach to the document you have collected for output.
Do you think the app could auto‑detect new fonts without a restart, or is it just a bug that forces a full reload?
Answer:
As far as I know, Scribus currently does add fonts without requiring a restart.
I haven't checked it, and I've probably rarely done it, but Scribus should be able to load the fonts you attach to the document you have collected for output.
#4
Features / Re: Unequal/custom column widt...
Last post by a.l.e - September 17, 2026, 02:15:24 PMAs I wrote to buttar, I'm not fond of the idea of having columns inside of text frames.
(The main reason: creating real columns with text frames (and guides) is in most cases just as easy and way more flexible)
Adding a way for customizing their widths brings even more complexity in the UI and in the code.
This having been said, I recall that, in the past, other (power) users have expressed some interest in the feature.
If I recall correctly, mostly for speeding up "repetitive" workflows.
Now, before thinking of integrating the changes proposed by buttar, it would be useful if the user who plan to use this feature have a look at the screencast he uploaded and check if this is what they need to get the job done.
And if it's close to what you dream of, propose changes...
(The main reason: creating real columns with text frames (and guides) is in most cases just as easy and way more flexible)
Adding a way for customizing their widths brings even more complexity in the UI and in the code.
This having been said, I recall that, in the past, other (power) users have expressed some interest in the feature.
If I recall correctly, mostly for speeding up "repetitive" workflows.
Now, before thinking of integrating the changes proposed by buttar, it would be useful if the user who plan to use this feature have a look at the screencast he uploaded and check if this is what they need to get the job done.
And if it's close to what you dream of, propose changes...
#5
Features / Re: Unequal/custom column widt...
Last post by buttar - September 16, 2026, 07:05:08 AMHere is another link to the short demo clip if you cannot view it at the above one: click here.
#6
Features / Unequal/custom column width fe...
Last post by buttar - September 16, 2026, 06:46:53 AMI requested the same in the past and then recently I found this old ticket on the bugsite. I think there would be more that would like to have this feature for their regular/occasional workflow.
I took a shot at it and here is a clip in Matrix chat demonstrating the feature in action.
Kindly, comment you opinion on the same.
I took a shot at it and here is a clip in Matrix chat demonstrating the feature in action.
Kindly, comment you opinion on the same.
#7
General Discussion / Re: Is it allowed to use the S...
Last post by matthijs - September 12, 2026, 08:37:30 PMThanks!
#8
General Discussion / Re: Is it allowed to use the S...
Last post by MrB - September 11, 2026, 10:14:50 PMYes go ahead, thanks for asking.
#9
General Discussion / Is it allowed to use the Scrib...
Last post by matthijs - September 11, 2026, 09:42:58 PMHello Scribus Forum,
I review Scribus on my website gratissoftwaresite.nl
Excellent software by the way!
My question is: is it permitted to use the logo of Scribus on my website in the review and software listing?
best regards,
Matthijs, gratissoftwaresite.nl
I review Scribus on my website gratissoftwaresite.nl
Excellent software by the way!
My question is: is it permitted to use the logo of Scribus on my website in the review and software listing?
best regards,
Matthijs, gratissoftwaresite.nl
#10
Text and Typography / Re: Adding ↻ and ↺ in Scribus
Last post by juff - September 11, 2026, 02:37:34 AMThanks