Marshal Lake wrote: > I am currently working on a book-type project. In the end I want to > have > three digital versions ... one in plain text, one in HTML format, and > the > third in PDF format. I am nearing completion of the plain text > version. > I have many images to include in the project which will not be part of > the > plain text version but will be part of the HTML and PDF versions. > > I have experience in HTML but I have never created anything in PDF > format > before. I have yet to use Scribus for a project but I have a little > experience in desktop publishing having worked with PageStream (I > believe > it was called) on the Atari some 15 to 18 years ago. :) > > I was thinking that I would create the HTML version of the project > next, > and then the PDF version using Scribus. But it occurred to me that > possibly an HTML version can be automagically created from Scribus. Is > this possible? It seems to me that saving a project in HTML out of > Scribus would not be too difficult. If it's not possible now, is it in > the works? > > I'm open to any and all comments and/or suggestions concerning my > project > and how to proceed. (It's a big project ... the plain text version > being > a little under 5 MB currently.)
I recommend LyX, which has a Word-like frontend and uses LaTeX as backend. Pros: * LaTeX handles really large file including page references, indices and bibliography * LyX / LaTeX can split the document into several files, allowing smooth editing * LyX produces PDF, PS, HTML, Text and any other format you have a commandline converter for. This m eans you can choose the LaTeX -> HTML converter which suits you best * LyX allows inserting and previewing images inside the gui; it also has controls to scale and rotate images * the LyX gui is much faster than Scribus * if you need math formulas, LyX is your friend * Font choice is somewhat limited by default but with some tweaking you can use any Type1 / TTF font. You probably do not want to use the standard LaTeX Computer Modern font (too wide spread), but Palatino and Computer Modern Bright would be two alternatives. Cons: * LaTeX has some build in resource limits which are sometimes triggered in complex projects. AFAIK these do *not* relate to plain text, though, since LaTeX always sets one page at a time. * if you need a fancy page layout, you need to find a suitable LaTeX document class (a kind of template) first. The more conservative book styles arre well supported (one or two columns, regular typearea, footnotes, margin notes, displayed tables / formulae / images, floating tables / diagrams, TOC, index, bibliography). * the following features are not supported by LaTeX: complex multicolumn layout, complex flows of text around images, WordArt tricks, layered layout. Don't get me wrong: all this *is* possible with LaTeX, but it's difficult and not recommended if you are new to LaTeX. So, what kind of document layout did you have in mind? Book-like could be anything from Harry Potter VIII to reference manuals or art journals. /Andreas
