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Made another pass of editing of the entire documentation

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Veronica K. B. Olsen
2020-08-07 23:06:35 +02:00
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docs/source/structure.rst
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@@ -6,9 +6,8 @@ Novel Structure
This section covers the structure of a novel project.
.. note::
This section concerns files under the Novel type root folder only. There are some restrictions
and features that only applies to these type of files.
This section concerns files under the Novel type root folder only. There are some restrictions
and features that only applies to these type of files.
.. _a_struct_heads:
@@ -17,37 +16,39 @@ Importance of Headings
======================
Subfolders under root folders have no impact on the structure of the novel itself. The structure is
instead dictated by the heading level of the headers within the text files. Four levels of headings
are supported, signified by the number of hashes preceding the title. See also the :ref:`a_ui_md`
section.
instead dictated by the heading level of the headers within the document files.
Four levels of headings are supported, signified by the number of hashes preceding the title. See
also the :ref:`a_ui_md` section for more details about the markdown syntax.
.. note::
The header levels are not only important when generating the exported novel file, but they are
also used by the indexer when building the outline tree in the :guilabel:`Outline` tab. Each
heading also starts a new region where new references to tags can be set.
The header levels are not only important when generating the exported novel file, they are also
used by the indexer when building the outline tree in the :guilabel:`Outline` tab. Each heading
also starts a new region where new references to tags can be set.
The different header levels are interpreted as specific section types of the novel in the following
way:
``# Header1``
Header level 1 signifies that the text refers to either the novel title or the name of a top
Header level one signifies that the text refers to either the novel title or the name of a top
level partition when you want to split the manuscript up into books, parts, or acts.
``## Header2``
Header level 2 signifies a chapter level partition. Each time you want to start a new chapter,
you must add such a heading. If you chose to split your manuscript up into one file per scene,
Header level two signifies a chapter level partition. Each time you want to start a new chapter,
you must add such a heading. If you choose to split your manuscript up into one file per scene,
you need a single chapeter file with just the heading. You can of course also add a synopsis and
tags and references to the chapter file. If you want to open the chaper with a quote, this is
reference keywords to the chapter file. If you want to open the chaper with a quote, this is
also where you'd put the text for that.
``### Header3``
Header level 3 signifies a scene level partition. The title itself can be replaced with a scene
separator or just skipped entirely when you export your manuscript.
Header level three signifies a scene level partition. The title itself can be replaced with a
scene separator or just skipped entirely when you export your manuscript.
``#### Header4``
Header level 4 signifies a sub-scene level partition (section). These can be useful if you want
to change tag references mid-scene, like if you change the point of view character. You are free
to use sections as you wish, and can filter the titles out of the final manuscript just like with
Header level four signifies a sub-scene level partition, usually called just a section in the
documentation und user interface. These can be useful if you want to change tag references
mid-scene, like if you change the point-of-view character. You are free to use sections as you
wish also in novel files, and can filter the titles out of the final manuscript just like with
scene titles.
There are multiple options of how to process novel titles when exporting the manuscript. For
@@ -60,53 +61,53 @@ a draft manuscript. See the :ref:`a_export` page for more details.
Tag References
==============
Each partition, indicated by a heading, can contain references to tags set in the supporting files
of the project. The references are gathered by the indexer and used to generate the outline view on
the :guilabel:`Outline` tab of how the different parts of the novel are connected.
Each text section indicated by a heading of any level, can contain references to tags set in the
supporting files of the project. The references are gathered by the indexer and used to generate the
outline view on the :guilabel:`Outline` tab of how the different parts of the novel are connected.
References and tags are also clickable in the document editor and viewer, making it easy to navigate
reference notes while writing.
between reference notes while writing. Clicked links are always opened in the view panel.
References are set as keyword and a list of corresponding tags. The valid keywords are listed below.
The format of a meta line is ``@keyword: value1, [value2] ... [valueN]``. All keywords allow
multiple values.
References are set as a keyword and a list of corresponding tags. The valid keywords are listed
below. The format of a reference line is ``@keyword: value1, [value2] ... [valueN]``. All keywords
allow multiple values.
``@pov``
The point-of-view character for the current section. The target must be a note tag in the
character type root folder.
:guilabel:`Character` type root folder.
``@char``
Other characters in the current section. The target must be a note tag in a character type root
folder. This should not include the point-of-view character.
Other characters in the current section. The target must be a note tag in a :guilabel:`Character`
type root folder. This should not include the point-of-view character(s).
``@plot``
The plot or subplot touched by the current section. The target must be a note tag in a plot type
root folder.
The plot or subplot advanced in the current section. The target must be a note tag in a
:guilabel:`Plot` type root folder.
``@time``
The timelines touched by the current section. The target must be a note tag in a timeline type
root folder.
The timelines touched by the current section. The target must be a note tag in a
:guilabel:`Timeline` type root folder.
``@location``
The location the current section takes place in. The target must be a note tag in a locations
type root folder.
The location the current section takes place in. The target must be a note tag in a
:guilabel:`Locations` type root folder.
``@object``
Objects present in the current section. The target must be a note tag in a object type root
folder.
Objects present in the current section. The target must be a note tag in an :guilabel:`Object`
type root folder.
``@entity``
Entities present in the current section. The target must be a note tag in an entities type root
folder.
Entities present in the current section. The target must be a note tag in an :guilabel:`Entities`
type root folder.
``@custom``
Custom references in the current section. The target must be a note tag in a custom type root
folder.
Custom references in the current section. The target must be a note tag in a :guilabel:`Custom`
type root folder.
The syntax highlighter will alert the user that the tags and references are used correctly, and that
the tags referenced exist.
The highlighter may be mistake if the index of defined tags is out of date. If so, press :kbd:`F9`
The highlighter may be mistaken if the index of defined tags is out of date. If so, press :kbd:`F9`
to regenerate it, or select :guilabel:`Rebuild Index` from the :guilabel:`Tools` menu. In general,
the index for a file is regenerated when a file is saved, so this shouldn't normally be necessary.
@@ -122,18 +123,19 @@ and page breaks. The layout for each file is indicated as the last set of charac
:guilabel:`Flags` column of the project tree.
Not all layout types are actually treated differently, but they also help to indicate what each file
is for in your project. The "Book" layout is a generic novel file layout that in formatting is
identical to "Chapter" and "Scene", but may help to indicate what files do in your project.
is for in your project. The :guilabel:`Book` layout is a generic novel file layout that is formatted
identically to :guilabel:`Chapter` and :guilabel:`Scene` layout files, but may help to indicate what
files do in your project.
You can for instance lay out your project using Book files for each act, and then later split those
into chapter or scene files by using the :guilabel:`Split Document` tool. Scenes can also be
contained within chapter files, but you lose the drag and drop feature that comes with having them
in separate files if you organise them this way.
You can for instance lay out your project using :guilabel:`Book` files for each act, and then later
split those into chapter or scene files by using the :guilabel:`Split Document` tool. Scenes can
also be contained within :guilabel:`Chapter` type files, but you lose the drag and drop feature that
comes with having them in separate files if you organise them this way.
Some layouts *do* have implications on how the project is exported. Files with layout "Title" and
"Partition" have all headings and text centred, while the "Unnumbered" layout disables the automatic
chapter numbering feature for everything contained within it. The latter is convenient for Prologue
and Epilogue type chapters.
Some layouts *do* have implications on how the project is exported. Files with layout
:guilabel:`Title Page` and :guilabel:`Partition` have all headings and text centred, while the
:guilabel:`Unnumbered` layout disables the automatic chapter numbering feature for everything
contained within it. The latter is convenient for Prologue and Epilogue type chapters.
All of the above layout formats are only usable in the Novel root folder. Files that are not a part
of the novel itself should have the Note layout. These files are not getting any special formatting,
@@ -142,42 +144,55 @@ in the project, also in the Novel root folder.
Below is an overview of all available layout formats.
Title Page
The title page layout. The title should be formatted as a heading level one. All text is automatically centred on exports.
:guilabel:`Title Page`
The title page layout. The title should be formatted as a heading level one. All text is
automatically centred on exports.
Plain Page
A plain page layout useful for instance for front matter pages. Heading levels are ignored for this layout format, and so are
formatting options like Justify Text. The page is exported with a page break before it.
:guilabel:`Plain Page`
A plain page layout useful for instance for front matter pages. Heading levels are ignored for
this layout format, and so are formatting options like :guilabel:`Justify Text`. The page is
exported with a page break before it.
Book
This is the generic novel file format that in principle can be used for all novel files. Since the internal structure of the
novel is controlled by the heading levels, this file will produce the same result as a collection of Partition, Chapter and Scene
type files. However, it does not provide the functionality of the Unnumbered layout format.
:guilabel:`Book`
This is the generic novel file format that in principle can be used for all novel files. Since
the internal structure of the novel is controlled by the heading levels, this file will produce
the same result as a collection of :guilabel:`Partition`, :guilabel:`Chapter` and
:guilabel:`Scene` type files. However, it does not provide the functionality of the
:guilabel:`Unnumbered` layout format.
Partition
A partition can be used to split the novel into parts. Partition titles are indicated with a level one heading. You can also add
text and meta data to the page. The Partition file layout will in addition force a page break before the heading, and centre all
content on the page.
:guilabel:`Partition`
A partition can be used to split the novel into parts. Partition titles are indicated with a
level one heading. You can also add text and meta data to the page. The :guilabel:`Partition`
file layout will in addition force a page break before the heading, and centre all content on the
page.
Chapter
Signifies the start of a new chapter. If the text itself is contained in scene files, these files should only contain the title,
comments, synopsis, and tag references for characters, plot, etc. The heading for chapters should be level two. If you need an
opening text, like a quote or other leading text before the first scene, this is also where you'd want to add this text.
:guilabel:`Chapter`
Signifies the start of a new chapter. If the text itself is contained in scene files, these files
should only contain the title, comments, synopsis, and tag references for characters, plot, etc.
The heading for chapters should be level two. If you need an opening text, like a quote or other
leading text before the first scene, this is also where you'd want to add this text.
Unnumbered
Same as Chapter, but when exporting the files and automatic chapter numbering is enabled, this file will not receive a number.
This makes the layout suitable for Prologue and Epilogue type chapters.
:guilabel:`Unnumbered`
Same as :guilabel:`Chapter`, but when exporting the files and automatic chapter numbering is
enabled, this file will not increment the chapeter number. It also has a separate title
formatting setting. This makes the layout suitable for Prologue and Epilogue type chapters.
Scene
A scene file. This file should have a header of level three. Further sections can have headers of level four, but there are no
file layout specifically for sections.
:guilabel:`Scene`
A scene file. This file should have a header of level three. Further sections can have headers
of level four, but there are no file layout specifically for sections.
Note
A generic file that is optionally ignored when the novel is exported. Use these files for descriptions of content in the
supporting root folders. Note files can also be added to the Novel root folder if you need to insert notes there. Note file
headers receive no formatting when building the project. They are always exported as-is.
:guilabel:`Note`
A generic file that is optionally ignored when the novel is exported. Use these files for
descriptions of content in the supporting root folders. Note files can also be added to the Novel
root folder if you need to insert notes there. Note file headers receive no special formatting
when building the project. They are always exported as-is.
.. note::
The layout granularity is entirely optional. In principle, you can write the entire novel in a single file with layout "Book".
You can also have a single file per chapter if that suits you better. The :guilabel:`Outline` will show your structure of
chapters and scenes regardless of how your files are organised.
The layout granularity is entirely optional. In principle, you can write the entire novel in a
single file with layout :guilabel:`Book`. You can also have a single file per chapter if that
suits you better. The :guilabel:`Outline` will show your structure of chapters and scenes
regardless of how your files are organised.
.. tip::
You can always start writing with a coarse file layout with one or a few files, and then later
use the split tool to automatically split the files into chapter and scene files.