tkScenarist - screenwriting made simpler

# Extra tool: 'Scenario Elements Editor'

## Summary

- Screenshot
- Introduction
- Usage
  - Settings tabs
    - 'Global settings' tab
    - 'Project settings' tab
  - Elements chaining process
    - 'Element' pane
    - 'Actions' pane
  - Element styling
    - 'Look'n'feel' pane
    - 'Preview' pane
  - Dialog buttons
    - 'OK' button
    - 'Reset to defaults' button
    - 'Cancel' button
- Finally
- Quick nav

## Screenshot

Return to summary.

## Introduction

This tool allows to refine scenario elements' chaining process and look'n'feel.

It is composed of stacked panes:

1. 'Element' pane, on top stack;
2. 'Actions' pane, just underneath;
3. 'Look'n'feel' pane;
4. and 'Preview' one.

Extra tool panes are NOT resizable.

CAUTION: one may read carefully 'Scenario' tab documentation page before trying to tune up scenario editor settings.

Our team does NOT provide any support for eventual misuses of this extra tool.

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## Usage

### Settings tabs

#### 'Global settings' tab

Select this tab before setting up preferences globally to any future new project file.

Please, note `Project settings` always override `Global settings` into an open project file.

To see your global settings take in effect, first save current project file and then ask for a new one with `Project > New` option menu or with `<Ctrl-N>` keyboard shortcut.

People willing to reset all their settings should refer to 'Reset to defaults' button page section below.

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#### 'Project settings' tab

Select this tab before setting up preferences only for the current open project file.

Please, note `Project settings` always override `Global settings` into an open project file.

Each time you save your project file, you also save its `Project settings` within it. Don't get fooled by this.

People willing to reset all their current project settings should refer to 'Reset to defaults' button page section below.

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### Elements chaining process

Please, refer to 'Scenario' tab documentation for more detail on scenario elements chaining process.

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#### 'Element' pane

By default, the dropdown list shows off current selected scenario element.

To select another element to edit, simply click on the arrowed button on the right side of the list and select an item into the dropped down list.

One may also select a new element through the 'Preview' pane.

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#### 'Actions' pane

Select into each dropdown list of this 'Actions' pane the element you wish to get on chaining process for the current selected element in 'Element' pane.

Let's say, for example, current selected element is `Dialogue` (see screenshot).

What user will get on his scenario text editor?

If insertion cursor is into an EMPTY line:

- pressing down on `<Tab>` key will switch current empty line from `Dialogue` to `Parenthetical`;
- pressing down on `<Return>` key will do nothing, as nothing is mentioned into dropdown list at this place;
- idem for `<Ctrl-Return>` shortcut, nothing will happen.

If insertion cursor is into a NON-EMPTY line:

- pressing down on `<Tab>` key will create a new line of `Action` element;
- pressing down on `<Return>` key will create a new line of `Character` element;
- using `<Ctrl-Return>` shortcut will create a new line of `Scene` element.

And so on. Try combinations by yourself and see what's best for you.

People willing to reset hazardous settings should refer to 'Reset to defaults' button page section below.

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### Element styling

#### 'Look'n'feel' pane

Play with each choice list and see what you get into 'Preview' pane.

This is the best way to understand how all of this works.

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#### 'Preview' pane

The 'Preview' pane reflects immediately any look'n'feel change to help you see what you get when playing with choice lists in 'Look'n'feel' pane.

One may also select a new scenario element to edit by simply clicking on the line illustrating the given element.

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### Dialog buttons

#### 'OK' button

This dialog tool button definitely validates your new settings into software's memory.

Please, note:

- global settings are really saved on disk only when quitting app; if an error occurs during this time, settings are NOT warrantied to be correctly saved;

- project settings are really saved only when you decide to save your project file on disk, as these settings are saved within your project file; it's up to you to save regularly your work.

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#### 'Reset to defaults' button

Using `Reset to defaults` button depends on selected tab at this moment:

- with 'Global settings' tab selected, global settings will be reset to factory defaults (app defaults) and will be available next time you restart software or next time you ask for a new project i.e. with `Project > New` menu option or with `<Ctrl-N>` keyboard shortcut;

- with 'Project settings' tab selected, project settings will be reset to current global settings, no matter if they are correct or not.

Please, note to get out from a trap, the best way still remains to first reset global settings and then reset project settings, validate dialog tool, save project file, close app and finally restart app (for cleaner situation).

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#### 'Cancel' button

This button revokes all new settings made before quitting this dialog tool.

All changes will then be definitely LOST.

You can also cancel this dialog tool by pressing down `<Escape>` key.

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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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