On Fri, 16 Jun 2006, Jean-Pierre Chretien wrote: > I've been through this kind of problems: in sample files, you find two > kinds of information: > - instructions about how to use the class (various commands available), > often alternating piece of code and example of result; > - complements of instructions about layout (e.g. appearance of tables, > space around figures, etc.). > > The pieces of code are not needed in the LyX case if the layout > implements all particularities of the class: the sample can be > restricted to an illustration of the specific styles. So the > template/example (i.e. a template which is not empty, but filled with > examples of use) can be much simpler than the LaTeX equivalent.
My design philosophy for the thesis class was to keep to a standard LaTeX idiom. It is possible to force the user to use a particular layout by having the class place the text in the appropriate order etc. but this would probably break many packages etc. Also, "requirements" are often not rigid when strange situations are encountered, and having a rigid class would prevent some people from using it. Thus, the comments are required to give users the freedom to do what they need, but the information they need to meet with approval if everything is standard. > The complementary instructions are normally not needed as they are a > remaining of the time where publishers sent to authors the description > of the desired layout: if the class is correctly built, these layout > instructions should not exist anymore. However as the class can be > incomplete (e.g. for tables layout), parts of the LaTeX code can be > included in ERT to produce the explanations in screen or paper versions. I have only a vague idea about what ERT is and how it fits in with the typical LyX experience, nor how to put the required information in the layout/template files. Apart from generating a simple layout file, I have not found clear documentation about what needs to be done. I want to avoid having to maintain two sets of files: one for LaTeX users and one for LyX users. Ideally, I would like to be able to specify enough information in the .cls and example files that the appropriate LyX stuff could be extracted, but I don't want to make life ore difficult for LaTeX users by cluttering up the sample files with LyX specific commands. Is this possible, or do I essentially have to maintain two separate projects: a LaTeX project (.cls + sample.tex) and a separate LyX project (.layout + template)? If not, I will have to wait until a LyX guru wants to volunteer to maintain the latter project before I can offer LyX support for the thesis templates. Thanks, Michael.
