tkScenarist - screenwriting made simpler

# App by tabs

## 'Scenario' tab

## Summary

- Screenshot
- Introduction
- Usage
  - Scene browser
  - Scenario's text editor
    - Composition
    - Scenario elements
    - Elements chaining process
    - Character name detection
    - Editing features
  - Info frame zone
- Finally
- Quick nav

## Screenshot

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## Introduction

This app tab allows scenario script writing, which is the heart of this software.

It is composed of:

1. a scene browser, on left side;
2. a scenario text editor, at center;
3. an info frame zone, on right side.

All section panes are resizable: put mouse pointer between each pane, then click and drag sash to get desired size.

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## Usage

### Scene browser

Scene browser fills out automatically while scripting new scenes into the text editor.

Click on a list item to jump from scene to scene.

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### Scenario's text editor

#### Composition

The scenario text editor is composed of:

1. a scenario elements dropdown list;
2. an element chaining indicator display;
3. the actual text editor itself.

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#### Scenario elements

Scenario script writing follows many strict policies one may identify through Scenario Elements.

The present software has deliberately chosen to keep only the followings:

1. Scene: this element identifies the main step of script writing, something like a short chapter;
2. Action: this element identifies any action into a given scene, something like an usual paragraph;
3. Character: this element identifies the moment a character begins to talk; it is a dialogue starting point;
4. Parenthetical: this element identifies dialogue indications just before talking takes place;
5. Dialogue: this element identifies the talking itself into a dialogue process;
6. Transition: this element identifies a technical transition before or after the beginning of a new scene;

Notice: Transition element is not really recommended for professionally-oriented documents.

The scenario editor has a dropdown list one may use in some case to apply a given element to the text line where the insertion cursor resides at this moment.

Please, note it is highly recommended to better use the elements chaining process instead of this.

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#### Elements chaining process

Scenario editor has a dynamic indicator display showing how to use elements chaining process efficiently.

This indicator shows what will happen if you press one of `<Tab>`, `<Return>` or `<Ctrl-Return>` chaining keys on your keyboard.

When the insertion cursor is into an EMPTY line, this empty line will SWITCH to the element indicated by the display.

When the insertion cursor is into a NON-EMPTY line, it will CREATE a new following line with the element indicated by the display.

Please, note when there is nothing indicated for a given keystroke, this means nothing will happen if you hit this key at this moment.

People willing to customize scenario elements chaining process or elements paragraph look'n'feel may consider using the Scenario Elements Editor (SEE).

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#### Character name detection

The scenario editor comes with a character name detection algorithm which even recognizes long composed names e.g. 'PIERRE-HENRI DE MORTE-FONTAINE CHÂTEAUROUX'.

You have nothing to do more than simply type your text the way you like. If the algorithm detects in your words something like a registered character name, it will pop down an autocompletion list allowing you to choose between all matching names.

Autocompletion feature is a real time-spare feature in some cases.

Use arrow keys to select desired character name into the completion list and then press `<Return>` (or `<Tab>`) key to insert it into your text script.

Press `<Escape>` key if you don't want to bother with this feature or simply go on writing without taking care more than this.

Character names are always inserted in uppercase: this is a script writing policy.

Feel free to use another name detection feature: when typing a new unregistered character name into a `Character` element line i.e. while starting a dialogue, the software will automagically register this new name into the character names database.

All name detection features show up detected character name's history log on right side, each time THERE IS something to display, of course.

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#### Editing features

The scenario text editor is somehow a specific plain text editor, but for major things, it acts exactly the same way as generic plain text editors.

This object allows multiple line editing with carriage return, undo/redo stack and many other features.

Pressing on the carriage return key will insert a new paragraph.

Double-clicking on a word will select this word only.

Triple-clicking on a word will select the whole paragraph.

You may select all text (in paragraph only) by using `Edit > Select all` menu option or with `<Ctrl-A>` keyboard shortcut.

Any selection band is likely to be replaced by the next keystroke on the keyboard.

To undo last operation, either use `Edit > Undo` menu option or try `<Ctrl-Z>` keyboard shortcut.

To redo last cancelled operation, either use `Edit > Redo` menu option or try `<Ctrl-Shift-Z>` keyboard shortcut.

Please, note undo/redo features are NOT guaranteed to work in all case.

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### Info frame zone

The information frame zone displays automatic hints, detected character name's history log and few stats data.

Please, note these data are only estimations, they do NOT reflect any reality.

You will find more accurate data while exporting your project into some PDF® documents.

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## Finally

IMPORTANT: don't forget to save your project regularly, either with `Project > Save` menu option or with `<Ctrl-S>` keyboard shortcut.

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#### Quick nav

- App by tabs
  - 'Title/Data' tab
  - 'Draft/Notes' tab
  - 'Pitch/Concept' tab
  - 'Characters' tab
  - 'Scenario' tab
  - 'Storyboard' tab
  - 'Resources' tab
- Extra tools
  - Name database
  - Story/pitch templates
  - Scenario Elements Editor (SEE)

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