This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Using the Corkboard in Split Screen
In Chapter 4, “Writing in the Editor,” you learned how to use Split Screen mode to divide the Editor window into two separate panes. If you’re a planner who likes knowing what’s coming next while working in a document, keeping the Corkboard visible in Split Screen mode, as shown in Figure 6.6, can help.
)
Figure 6.6This split screen allows you to view the Corkboard in the top pane while working on a document in the lower pane.
To split the screen in Corkboard view:
- Open a container in Corkboard view, if you don’t already have one open on the screen.
- Click the Split View toggle in the Header bar of the Corkboard. The Corkboard appears in both panes.
- Click in the pane in which you want to work in the Editor. The Header bar turns blue to indicate this is the active pane.
Choose one of the following options to open a file in the Editor:
- Select a file in the Binder.
- Select an item in the Binder or Corkboard and choose Documents, Open from the menu, then select the desired Editor from the submenu.
- Click the Item Icon button in the Header bar, then select Go To and choose a file from the submenu.
- Right-click on an index card in the Corkboard, then select Open and choose the Editor in which the document should open.
If you are currently in Document view in the Editor and want to split the screen and add a Corkboard to one pane, you can do this, as well. Split the screen and then open a container in one pane and choose Corkboard view from the toolbar or menu.
TIP
You may need to adjust the Corkboard options to position your index cards exactly as you want in the smaller real estate of the Split Screen pane. You can also adjust the amount of space allocated to each pane by sliding the divider bar between panes.
In step 4 above, you had the option of using the Corkboard to control the Editor. You can automate this by clicking the Auto-load button in the Footer bar of the Corkboard. On the Mac, the icon turns blue to signify the feature is enabled. In Windows, the button appears depressed. Whenever you select an index card in the Corkboard, the document opens in the other Editor pane.
CAUTION
If you are clicking around in the Corkboard, it’s easy to lose track of which document is open in the other Editor. If you have the Auto-load option enabled, get into the habit of looking at the Header bar before typing in your document to ensure you are in the correct document.
Putting Split Screen to Work
You can combine your knowledge of several Scrivener options and commands to build a custom layout. Figure 6.7 shows my usual writing layout when drafting a project. This layout works well on a widescreen display because it makes use of the extra horizontal space while showing as much text in the document as possible.
)
Figure 6.7 Using multiple settings in conjunction with each other allows you to create a unique workspace.
This is how it works:
- The screen is split vertically. Press the Option key while clicking the Split View toggle to change the orientation of the split on the Mac. In Windows, click the Vertical Split button.
- The Corkboard is loaded into the left pane. The width of the Corkboard pane has been adjusted to fit one index card across, and the Corkboard options have been adjusted to change the size and ratio of the index cards to suit the space.
- The Binder Affects (View, Binder Affects) option has been set to Left Editor, so anything selected in the Binder opens in the left Editor pane.
- The Auto-load option in the Footer bar of the Corkboard has been enabled, so any item selected in the Corkboard automatically opens in the right Editor pane.
- If you want to move items in the Binder without affecting the Corkboard, use the Lock in Place option (View, Editor, Lock in Place). This can be toggled as needed.
- To maximize screen real estate, you can hide the Binder completely (View, Layout, Hide Binder on the Mac or deselect View, Layout, Show Binder in Windows). You can also hide the toolbar (View, Hide Toolbar on the Mac or deselect View, Toolbar in Windows).
Your mileage may vary. Each of the options I set to suit my needs can be set differently to match yours. This is merely one example of how to work in Scrivener.
NOTE
As an example of how Scrivener’s features can work together, this figure also shows customized Appearance preferences and the application of the Label field to the color of the icons in the Corkboard and Binder and the background of the index cards. See Chapter 2 to learn how to customize colors and Chapter 12 to discover how to use the label color in various elements.
CAUTION
Don’t forget to save your layout and preferences settings when you get things arranged as you like!
Using Images to Your Advantage
If you add images to your synopsis in the Inspector (explained in Chapter 11), you can use the Corkboard as a reference tool of a different sort. Figure 6.8 shows a container from the Research folder in Corkboard view in the top pane and an open document in the bottom pane. The images aid in describing the objects in the document. If you need to access the content of the research document, right-click the index card and choose Open, As QuickReference from the context menu.
)
Figure 6.8Using multiple settings in conjunction with each other allows you to create a unique workspace.
NOTE
Windows users, Scrivener for Windows does not provide QuickReference panels, but you can opt to open the document in either Editor window from the same Open submenu.
You can apply images to any item, not just Research documents. If you add images representing different characters or the action in your story to key scenes, you can view the Corkboard as a visual storyboard.
TIP
Looking for images to use in your project? Use your Internet browser to do a web search for the object or theme you seek, and then select the Images link. Because you are downloading these images strictly for your personal reference and not to distribute as part of your completed project, you don’t need to worry about licensing or rights issues.