Scribus (linked above) seems pretty good. If you have some text and then put a picture or heading in, the text will automatically wrap around it, so you can move around pictures and side-boxes easily.

Quote from: Narf the Mouse;271665Do you mean the options under the Format menu for styles?

In fact, you have to use the windows name "Styles and Formats" (should be named something like that). You can summon it in the Format menu or simply by pressing F11. This way, you can modify the style, changing everything linked to it (meaning, if you change the paragraph style "standard", all the "standard" text will reflect the changes). Otherwise, the modification you make will only apply to the current selection.

Quote from: Narf the Mouse;271665Because I don't really see that much flexibility there.

Open Office is not a complete layout software. Heck, it's not even a layout software. But you've looked at the D&D 3rd mockup? I think it's enough for all your basic layout needs. And maybe a little more. How much more flexibility would you ask for, giving it's a word processor?

I meant 'that much flexibility compared to a scripting languge'.

Thanks.

Quote from: Scaredy Squirrel;270868About fancy borders and background images in Open Office, I use the footnotes to integrate them. Basically, I add an image tied to the footnote and resize it to occupy the whole background. Since it's tied to the footnote, it will be reproduced on all pages of the same type. I use this technique because if you just add a background image to the page, it will only fit inside the margin of the page. Also, this way, by defining different types of pages, you can do colored backgrounds for different chapters and everything.

If some of you are interested, I will try to post an example document here.

By the way, this thread is pure gold. Thanks to everyone who shared!

PS : Some terms, like footnotes, may not be the exact tems used in Open Office. You see, I use the french version, so...

Ok, now how do I access the text afterward? :confused:

Also, how do I change the page style of only one page? Seems to want to change them all.

Quote from: Narf the Mouse;272302Ok, now how do I access the text afterward?

I'm guessing the image is before the text? Just go into the image properties and tell it to go behind the text. Also, if you inadvertently select the image instead of the text, you'll have to click outside the page to de-selct the image in order to be able to select the text again. If it bothers you to much, add the image after the text is laid out.

Quote from: Narf the Mouse;272302Also, how do I change the page style of only one page? Seems to want to change them all.

That's because all your pages have the same style, which is probably "standard". To change your page style, you have force it with a "page jump". Again, since I'm using a french version, I don't know the exact english term. You'll find this in the Insert menu. It should be something like manual jump... Then you select the new page style in the list and all the page from this point on will be of the new style. In the page style options, you can set what the style of the page following a certain style will be. Example : let's say you create a style which is called left page. You'll probably want the following page to be a right page. Using this option, it's easy. The page style will alternate until you break the chain by changing the style to something else.

Also, remember that page styles govern the footnotes. That is, if you set the footnotes to be used in left page, it will not reflect in the right page style. They'll be independants. This is how you can design a layout with facing background pages, like the one I did for my D&D mockup.

I don't know if I'm clear enough, but you should have everything you need to design something great in Open Office. Ask if you have any questions!

I think Basic Fantasy Role Play used OO for the game's layout.

It's a nice looking retro-clone of D&D.

Thanks.

Nope, that's not working. I click outside the page and the image is still selected.

Is there any way to do a sidebar, outside of putting a frame on every page?

Quote from: Narf the Mouse;272567Nope, that's not working. I click outside the page and the image is still selected.

About that, two things :

• If you click inside the margins of the page, OO will (or should) not select the image, but the text. It's only when you click outside the margins that the image will be selected.
• Make a SHIFT-CLICK outside the page to return to the text. Sorry, I was not clear about that before.

Quote from: Narf the Mouse;272567Is there any way to do a sidebar, outside of putting a frame on every page?

You mean like in the GURPS 3rd ed. books? No. Not to my knowledge. You could mimic the layout by creating 2 disproportionate columns, but your main text will flow inside the small "sidebar" nonetheless... Best way is to add a text frame, like you did. But, once you've created you text frame, anchor it to the page, not the paragraph. Then, when it's positionned to your satisfaction, copy it. Go tho the next page of the same style where you want to add a sidebar and paste it. It should fit exactly where it fitted on the other page. That way, it's fast to add it to numerous pages.

I would also recommend ajusting the margins of the page to clear a space for the sidebar. That is, if you plan to add one to every page.

Finally, don't forget to always use styles to modify elements that will be recurrent in the document. Manual formatting should only be used when the modification is unique. Working with styles will save you time and headaches. That means using the Header 1, 2, 3, etc. to format the structure of your document. That way, you'll be able to generate a table of content AND OO will generate bookmarks for the PDF (the TOC that appears in the sidebar in PDF readers, you know).

Thanks again.

I do use tables of content.

I just started fooling around with my copy of pageplus x3.

Pretty good stuff, it's part photoshop, part vector drawing, and desktop publishing for about $80. Looks like it could be the best all around software for DP that you can get for less than $200.

I will let you know how it works as I fool with it.

Quote from: Mcrow;272794I just started fooling around with my copy of pageplus x3.

Pretty good stuff, it's part photoshop, part vector drawing, and desktop publishing for about $80. Looks like it could be the best all around software for DP that you can get for less than $200.

I will let you know how it works as I fool with it.

I agree. It's a terrific piece of software for the price.

-clash