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Scribus 1.5.0 released
by "Christoph Schäfer" 26 May '15

26 May '15

After many years of work and more than a thousand bugfixes and feature implementations, the Scribus Team is pleased to announce the release of Scribus 1.5.0. Scribus 1.5.0 is a preview of the next stable version 1.6.0 and has primarily been released for testing purposes, so more users can help us with identifying and fixing bugs. It is not stable enough for use in real production scenarios yet, but it can help users to become familiar with the new interface and the amount of new features, the number of which has almost doubled in comparison to the stable 1.4.x series. ==Most Important Technical Changes== - Scribus 1.5.0 uses Qt 5 as its UI toolkit. The minimum version to compile Scribus from source is Qt 5.4. - The file format has undergone significant changes and may change even further before the release of 1.6.0. Thus, files created or edited in 1.5.0 cannot be opened in earlier versions of Scribus. Potential changes to the file format on the road to 1.6.0 notwithstanding, the Scribus Team will work very hard to make sure that files created by 1.5.0 and the following technology previews can be opened reliably in the next stable release. - Unfortunately we cannot offer GraphicsMagick and Open Scene Graph support for all platforms yet, whereas on Linux (and probably *BSD), GM and and OSG have become new dependencies. - Scribus will detect an installed version of UniConvertor and use it to import some of the vector formats supported by this program into Scribus. ==Most Important New Features== ===General=== -The user interface has been overhauled and restructured in many places. For example, the context menu takes a lot less screen estate than before, and the Document Setup / Preferences dialog has been rewritten from scratch. The Scribus Team is aware of the remaining deficiencies and will work on resolving these issues before the release of 1.6.0. In some cases inconsistencies in the UI (e.g. the "Drop Shadow" tab in the Properties Palette) have been deliberately left in place to receive feedback from users as to which way they prefer. - Scribus can now store bitmap images within its native file format. Previously it was only possible to link to external images. - Scribus 1.5.0 now offers a "Symbol" or clone feature similar to Adobe Illustrator: If one master object (Symbol) has been modified, all of its copies (clones) are being modified as well. - With the new "Weld" feature, objects can be combined and moved without being "grouped", i.e., each object remains fully editable. ===Text / Typography=== Scribus 1.5.0 provides some of the most often requested text features, among them: - vertical scaling of text; - orphans and widows control; - foot and end notes; - text variables; - cross references. Moreover, Inline Objects in text frames are finally fully editable. ===Tables== In previous Scribus versions tables were nothing more than combined text frames. Scribus 1.5.0 finally introduces "real" tables that resemble table features in word processors and other DTP programs, including table styles. ===Graphics=== - A new feature-rich plug-in called 'Picture Browser' enables asset management for graphics files by tagging them or creating graphics collections. Graphics files can be dragged into a Scribus document from the Picture Browser. - Scribus 1.5.0 supports all advanced gradient types available in Adobe Illustrator and XARA Designer, including mesh gradients. - One of the most-requested features -- drop shadows -- is finally available, albeit still experimental. - For documents that comprise many large (in terms of file size) bitmap images, a configurable image cache has been added. It can buffer image files to the hard drive and free RAM, so Scribus can continue to run smoothly. ===File Import / Export=== Scribus 1.5.0 is being shipped with a huge number of new or rewritten import filters, although not all of them are of equal quality, and some are still experimental. ====DTP Files==== For the first time in its history, Scribus 1.5.0 can open / import files created by other DTP programs, namely: Adobe InDesign XML (IDML), Adobe InDesign Snippets (IDMS), Adobe PageMaker (P65, PMD), Apple iWorks PAGES, Microsoft Publisher (PUB), QuarkXPress Tags (XTG), VIVA Designer XML, and Xara Page & Layout Designer (XAR). Regarding DTP formats not yet supported, a workaround is sometimes to use an output format as an option. Accordingly, Scribus 1.5.0's PDF importer has been rewritten from scratch, and Scribus can now reliably open almost every PDF file directly with the original layout intact. For Windows users, Scribus 1.5.0 also comes with reliable import filters for Microsoft's PDF alternatives XPS (Windows Vista and 7) and OXPS (Windows 8 and later). ====Vector Drawings==== - The import filter for Adobe Illustrator files has been rewritten from scratch and Scribus's graphics capabilities have been expanded accordingly, so most AI files can be imported or opened flawlessly. Moreover, Scribus can now detect hybrid AI files and enables users to choose between the AI and the PDF version. - The import filter for OpenDocument graphics files has been rewritten from scratch and expanded, so Scribus can now open and import ODG drawings and ODP slide shows without issue. - "Layers" in SVG files are now supported if an SVG document is being opened (as opposed to being imported into an existing document). - Thanks to the libraries provided by the Document Liberation Project, Scribus can now import native MS Visio and CorelDraw files. - Other new import filters: Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM), Photoshop Custom Shapes (CSH), Micrografx Draw (DRW), Enhanced Metafile (EMF), StarView Metafile (SVM), WordPerfect Graphics (WPG), Xara Designer (XAR). ====Bitmap Files=== - Scribus 1.5.0 supports the open standard Open Raster (ORA) for complex bitmap files, including advanced features like layer effects or paths. - With GraphicsMagick installed, Scribus can import all bitmap files supported by this program, including GIMP's native XCF format. - Scribus 1.5.0 can import PGF bitmaps, an open alternative to JPEG 2000. ====3D==== With OpenSceneGraph installed, Scribus 1.5.0 can import 3D objects in all formats supported by OSG into a new frame type called "3D Annotation". Scribus also offers limited editing functions, such as setting the lighting source or the default display mode for a PDF-3D-capable PDF viewer. ====Colors and Fills==== Scribus 1.5.0 can use color palettes in the Adobe Color Swatch (ACO) and AutoCAD ColorBook (ACB) formats, as well as GIMP Gradients (GGR) and GIMP Patterns (PAT). The former color manager has been extended to a "colors and fills manager" to reflect Scribus's new capabilities. ===Output=== The most important new feature with respect to output is the support of PDF/X-4 in the PDF exporter. Another important addition, at least in some environments, is an exporter for Microsoft's XPS format. For a cursory overview of all new features, see: http://wiki.scribus.net/canvas/Scribus_1.5_Readme A data sheet is available here: http://wiki.scribus.net/canvas/File:Data_sheet-Scribus150.pdf (English) http://wiki.scribus.net/canvas/File:Datenblatt-Scribus150.pdf (Deutsch) The complete changelog is available here: http://bugs.scribus.net/changelog_page.php?version_id=60 ==New Website== Thanks to Carsten Liersch and Dennis Groenewegen van der Weijden, we're also pleased to present Scribus via a new and modern website to the world. ==Primary Download Locations== - Installation packages for Windows, Mac OS X and the source code are available here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/scribus/files/scribus-devel/1.5.0/ - Fedora and CentOS RPMs: http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/mrdocs - OpenSUSE, SLED, and SLES RPMs: http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/mrdocs - Packaging for *BSD, Solaris and OpenIndiana is beyond our influence. We recommend updating the respective repository data on a regular basis. ==Download Verification== Description File Name Sha1sum Source scribus-1.5.0.7z 7a8dbe7ae7790ecc194dbe9c6c23726bb3b226d7 Source scribus-1.5.0.tar.xz fdf451037073ee648f135669535508813d61ee7e OS X Mavericks or higher (DMG) scribus-1.5.0.dmg 55a1e0800b73f7b7b0b136b3ebc1eb6a03ef0b07 Windows 32/64 Bit scribus-1.5.0-windows.exe 9a0ce39350e77d6a907f8aae2b6d803ba6345ef7 Windows 64 Bit scribus-1.5.0-windows-x64.exe 42d489fe1098797772a14113ca2ac49244a4dbd2 ==Credits== The Scribus Team would like to thank Anduin.net and Modirum for their continued hosting of all of the Scribus websites. We are grateful to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and Linux New Media (Germany) for sponsoring. Special thanks go to Carsten Liersch/Bauwerk Design (Germany) and Dennis Groenewegen van der Weijden for the design of the new Scribus website. The Scribus Team is also honored to have Resene Colours (New Zealand), dtp studio oldenburg (Germany), GiveLife Color System (Spain), Scientific Illustration Services Corp. (USA), the Newspaper Association of America (USA) and Software Consulting Services (USA) as Special Supporters and donors of color palettes and other content since the 1.4.x release, just like we are grateful to the owner of Vector Portal for the permission to distribute some of his work as Scribus Templates. Porting Scribus to OS/2 and eComStation is being supported by Mensys BV (The Netherlands) and Serenity Systems (USA). Finally, the Scribus Team would like to thank the many end users, translators, testers and contributors who helped us with this release.

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RFC: Switch to Google Test framework
by Bryce Harrington 24 May '15

24 May '15

Hi all, At the hackfest today we discussed the Boost test suite vs. the Google test suite. Both options are very good and better than cxxtest that we use currently, and should be straightforward to move to. We tentatively decided on Google test. 2geom uses it, so many of us already have familiarity with it, and it will keep the two projects consistent. Boost's commands have prefixes which makes for a bit more typing, whereas Google test's are more brief. KK liked Google test's handling of templates better too. Does anyone have a strong differing option? We're hoping to have the decision finalized by the end of the week. Bryce

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New LPE Transform by two nodes-knots-
by Jabiertxo Arraiza Cenoz 24 May '15

24 May '15

Hi to all. Here are a video with my last LPE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLmYdWoXXIw Its based in a feature pointed by Ivan Louette. Here the branch to review: https://code.launchpad.net/~inkscape.dev/inkscape/transform_by_two_points Best regards, Jabier.

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Description of Livarot's boolops algorithm?
by Krzysztof Kosiński 24 May '15

24 May '15

Hello Can anyone provide a rough description of how livarot's boolops work? In my thesis, I want to compare it to my new implementation in 2Geom. The new implementation is almost complete, and handles all general cases on any combination of lines, Beziers and elliptical arcs. The only remaining thing is the handling of overlapping segments. Regards, Krzysztof

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Web IRC client - support troubles
by Bryce Harrington 24 May '15

24 May '15

It's come to my attention that our website IRC client, which provides a convenient means for users to ask a quick question, is causing a lot of frustration amongst our volunteers on the channel who are trying to provide support and manage the channel. There's three issues that I'm aware of: * Drive by's: Very often people will log in, shoot off a question that is easily answered, then depart before anyone has a chance to answer it. * Language: Often people will express questions in their native language. As our current support volunteers only include English speakers, this just isn't going to work out. * Anonyminity: The nice thing about the IRC client is since it doesn't require login credentials, it's quick and easy to use. The downside is we have no idea who the person is. This means no way to contact them out of band (e.g. shoot them an email with the answer to their question, or post it to their inkscape.org account), and no way to ban people who behave abusively (the channel op can kill the session, but the troll could just re-login.) There may well be other issues, but I think this is representative. Compounding the problem, I think the IRC support crew feel a bit disempowered: The web irc client is part of the website and thus maintained by the website maintainers. The easiest solution would be to switch off the irc client on the website, or for the IRC support staff to set /ignore (or worse) on "inkscaper*". But these don't really *solve* the problems, they just brush them under the rug. Are there other changes (maybe minor tweaks, maybe major re-thinks) that would address these problems while still helping users get answers to their questions, quickly and/or interactively? Bryce

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Fwd: Website Feedback
by Martin Owens 19 May '15

19 May '15

Forwarding on a request from intel: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Catalin Crisan <catalinx.crisan@...1100...> Date: 19 May 2015 at 07:39 Subject: Website Feedback To: Martin Owens <doctormo@...400...> Hello Inkscape team, My name is Catalin and I work within the Software & Services Group (SSG) at Intel, supporting successful application developers and publishers in different levels and would like to speak about a possible cooperation. I have just tested Inkscape and I think it's a wonderful app. So, congratulations for the great work! Seeing the good reviews and potential that “Inkscape” has, I wonder if you would be interested in working with us on optimizing the app for 2in1 Ultrabooks (PCs that transition from clamshell/laptop mode to tablet/touch mode). The idea is to have two slightly different UIs that adapt to the both usages, taking advantage of the hardware’s capabilities and offering a great experience in both cases. We mainly offer hardware, technical support and different co-marketing opportunities, but I would like to go further into details. Looking forward to hearing from you! Have great day! Catalin Crisan ISV Enabling Manager Skype: catalinc-intel Tel +44 01844340399 catalinx.crisan@...1100...

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PUBLISHER article on 0.91 available
by "Christoph Schäfer" 18 May '15

18 May '15

Hi, The article on Inkscape 0.91 is finally available in print and online: http://publisher.ch/dynpg/upload/imgfile6767.pdf Enjoy (or be upset). Christoph

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Do geometric contructions tool / general Inkscape UX discussions
by Ryan Lerch 18 May '15

18 May '15

HI all, I just noticed the new "Do Geometric constructions" tool in the inkscape trunk, and this got me thinking a few things about this new tool (and inkscape usability and UX in general). First up, this tool provides (among other things) two new ways to create a circle: "a circle by three points", and a "circle by center and radius". These are pretty neat additions, but my first question when I saw this was why is this in a completely separate tool, not as a sub-tool of the circle tool. I understand these are implemented as LPEs, but from a user point of view, if you want to create a circle, wouldn't you expect these options in the circle tool? If they were in the circle tool, there might even be the option to create a circle with the traditional mode of the circle tool, then fine-tune it with one of the other two "editing" modes, rather than it appear to the user to be three completely separate object types that can't be converted back and forth. Something similar is also in play with the (present in 0.91 "shape" option of the pen tool) the "shape" option only works when creating a new line with the pen tool, while other tools (such as the star/polygon tool) allow changes in the tools control bar to impact the currently selected object. I know this is kind of out of the blue, but i have been thinking a lot lately about some of the inconsistencies like this in the inkscape interface, and would love to try to help contribute to fixes / be involved with helping with the usability of new tools we create. Has there ever been anyone involved with doing usablity reviews / testing of this sort? (doctormon, i know you did some last year :) ) I know of plenty of UX people that use Inkscape that would probably be keen in contributing in this area. cheers, ryanlerch

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External funded development site
by Maren Hachmann 15 May '15

15 May '15

Hi everyone, yesterday, I stumbled about this (following a link from the elementaryOS website): https://www.bountysource.com/trackers/459306-inkscape Seems they do 'funded development' for Inkscape (and everyone else...) without us even knowing about it (or maybe someone does?). They pull the data from launchpad. They say they collect money for bug bounties, and reward that to the dev who closes the bug, with a 10% deduction if the dev asks for transfer of the money to his/her bank account/paypal account/etc. I don't know how (if?) they inform a developer about the bounty, when the project doesn't even have a representative registered on their website. To me, it sounded as if the developer must actively ask them to pay out the reward (please read their TOS/FAQ, I'm not a native speaker). They also allow projects to setup donation campaigns. Currently, there are no bounties for Inkscape on their site. Do we need to do anything about this? The options we have seem to be: - create an account and make sure that everything goes correctly, and use it actively - create an account and just keep an eye on it - ask them to not include Inkscape, or somehow make it clear that this is not endorsed by us (if it isn't) - officially decide that that thing can run in parallel with our own funded projects without problems and without us doing anything Regards, Maren

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Re: [Inkscape-devel] Educating users on Free Software (was: C++-11...)
by Bryce Harrington 13 May '15

13 May '15

On Fri, May 01, 2015 at 07:06:03PM -0400, Martin Owens wrote: > But the Free Software activist side of me thinks it's a worthwhile > investment if we can introduce a way to educate users about their > platforms and why a Free Software platform would be better for future > buying decisions. Well said Martin, and I totally agree. This is something I've wanted to pick your brain on, if you're willing to share thoughts on the subject? One of the things that burnt me out on doing release management for Inkscape years back was the realization we were accumulating tons of users on non-free platforms, and the better we were executing on those platforms the less reason we were giving for them to switch. IOW it felt like our release process and development momentum was getting bogged down fixing Windows bugs to improve Inkscape on Windows, making it easier for Windows users to have the benefits of being on Linux without having to be on Linux. This time around, one of the main reasons I'm gung-ho on the funded development stuff is to establish a paid way to provide Windows support and tap the Windows userbase to fund the work, so it is less impact on developers that don't care about Windows, and doesn't hold up the release process so much. I'm also personally less driven to see people switch to Linux specifically, after all the in-fighting, open source politics, and monetization of communities that's happened over the past several years. But I do still believe strongly in the overall ideals of Free Software and encouraging community, collaboration, deliberation, and sharing around collective works in common. Jon had made a good suggestion of writing up some of the defining principles of Inkscape, such as the idea that we don't draw a line of distinction between user and developer, but consider it a sliding scale and try to invite all users to contribute even in small ways. There's probably a handful or two of other ideas along those lines that define our development community, which would be valuable to disseminate more broadly. Do you have more ideas on how we could do this? Bryce

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