Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Professional or aspiring writers seeking a powerful , inexpensive covering for grow prose , scripts , or research papers should weigh Scrivener 1.03 first . It thoughtfully combines OS ten - native textual matter and lookup tools with cardinal features see to it in rival programs to create a cohesive and useful written material aid .
Scrivener mastermind each writing project , ordraft , as a series of booklet and files ; each project can include relevant keywords , note , and a brief precis . Outline and corkboard views provide drag - and - drop reordering of these elements , and the Edit Scrivenings button display selected documents , or the entire draught , as a single text file . It ’s easy to assign custom labels for chapters , concepts , character tabloid , and such , or define a status — first bill of exchange , rewrite , last draft — for item-by-item rough drawing item . But you ca n’t do so for multiple documents at once , which can establish plaguy .
A virtual corkboard let you sum up abstract for each chapter or scene , and rearrange them on the fly .
A virtual corkboard lets you add synopses for each chapter or scene, and rearrange them on the fly.
Scrivener lets you put in your research material — documents , images , HTML files or Web archives , and QuickTime clips — alongside your work in onward motion . you’re able to make custom subfolders for inquiry , and link research item to specific folder or files in your draft . Most types of enquiry file can be dragged and miss into Scrivener ; however , connection links must be entered manually , after which a written matter of the varlet is downloaded and stored — an admittedly underage trouble for an otherwise useful feature .
An efficient one - windowpane interface helps users easily carry off their projects . Folders and file come out in a pane on the left . An optional Inspector pane on the right video display the selected file or folder ’s keywords , synopsis , notes , or enquiry links .
The central pane display the take document ; you may split up this window to view two documents — a chapter in progression and a relevant vane Thomas Nelson Page , for exemplar — simultaneously . copyist offers basic footnoting and annotating capability , plus multiple highlighter colors for marking up your schoolbook . Powerful glare - based searching rule words or phrases within your project in seconds — even in a 100,000 - word manuscript .
Scrivener can display two documents simultaneously, and easily formats professional-looking screenplays.
The programme keep your progress automatically after a user - specified unused time period . A cleversnapshotsystem let you bewitch premature versions of your draft , then reelect to them if necessary . you’re able to also set a quarry tidings tally for each document , and then track your performance with a progress bar .
Though the program ’s assist files stress that Scrivener is n’t designed to replace consecrate screenwriting programs , it does offer introductory screenplay format . Once you get comfortable using the Tab and Enter keys to motorcycle between the basic elements of a screenplay — description , theatrical role , dialogue — you could flex out professionally initialize scripts with ease .
Scrivener can display two document simultaneously , and easily formats professional - looking screenplays .
Need to block all distractions ? The Full Screen button at the top of the app window lets you see only the current text ( in much the same manner as HogBay Software ’s WriteRoom app ) . Nearly every ingredient can be custom-make , though I care I could designate a different baptistery for full - concealment mode .
Still , that ’s about the only matter youcan’ttweak in Scrivener . The extreme customization options are n’t always helpful , though . For object lesson , when export your conscription , Scrivener mechanically applies entirely unlike data formatting . you may customize this mark format as well , but unless you uncheck this option before gain a quick printout or PDF of your draft , it may move around out looking decidedly unfamiliar . ( Scrivener seamlessly imports Word and RTF Indian file , and exports to both of those formats , and to HTML and PDF . ) Indeed , Scrivener offer so many features that it ’s well-situated to lose track of where to find some of the more sophisticated ace . gratefully , the program ’s assist files and the included tutorial are clear , thorough , and even once in a while witty .
Macworld’s buying advice
If you rarely write more than letters or clientele documents , stick with Microsoft Word ( ) or Apple ’s Page ( ) . But if you ’re plan to spell a novel , playscript , poor story , or research theme , Scrivener 1.03 was made for you .
[ Nathan Alderman is a written matter editor and novelist - in - training in Alexandria , Va. ]
