Scribus · Practical exercise · Using scrapbook with text frames

In this exercise we propose to draw a text frame with big letter font, for example, Arial Black (write some text inside). Fill inside with red color and rounded corners (see figure):

Using Scribus scrapbook with shapes

Once the frame text has been created, select it with the right mouse button and select "Send to Scrapbook" option in the menu. This action saves this object in a Scribus "black box". You will be able to use it again in several documents. If you want to load one object from scrapbook using Scribus, you must use the "Window/Scrapbook" option in the menu.

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Scribus · Practical exercise · Using kerning in text frames

Kerning is the space between font letters and sometimes can be used to reduce blank spaces between words in justified paragraphs. If you want to change kerning in Scribus select text frame and hit "F2" to view properties window. Select "Text" tab and open "Advanced Settings". You can see kerning option arrowed in the figure:


Changing kerning value in a text frame using Scribus.

You can change the kerning value using the little black arrows in order to reduce or enlarge it. If you reduce a lot, it will be very dififcult to read the text. You can see in the next figure an example. This is a word with differente kerning values (image from Wikipedia).


Different kerning values aplied to a single word using Scribus.

As a practical exercise, select a sample text frame and reduce kerning to -25%. Take a look at the results. Modify the kerning value increasing to 50%. Take a look at the final results. Once finished, leave the kerning value to initial 0%.

Take a look at this Linux journal article about Scribus leading, kerning and tracking
Learn more, take a look to Wikipedia

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