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Popup Lists
For all pop-windows displaying text that Page 2 Stage can automatically insert, you can start spelling
out the word and it will move the prompt to the word that is the closest match. In addition, if the word you
type in is different from the start of any word in the list, Page 2 Stage will consider that a new word
and add it, not use the closest match in the pop-up window.
The Right Results
The details of the pop-up boxes may seem a little complex. But the result is that the pop-up box almost always
is doing what you think it should do. And in return you not only save a bunch of typing, but you are using the
exact same text for the same character each time, instead of mixing Dave, David, etc.
Auto Text
Auto-text is text that is automatically written for you. Auto-text is used in several ways:
Pop-up Lists
These lists appear whenever you are in a paragraph of type Scene, Character, or Transition. When, the caret
is at the end of one of these types of paragraphs, it will provide a list of words to place in that paragraph.
For Character, it lists the names of all Characters in the script and defaults to the character that is two back.
For Scenes it defaults first to the INT./EXT., then the scene location, then the time-of-day.
You can use the up/down cursor keys to move through the pop-up window. Or type enough of the name that it moves to
that selection. Then press Enter or double click the mouse on the name you want.
To enter a new name, type the entire name in. If the name matches the beginning of an existing name, type a space
after the name before pressing Enter.
You can also press ESC to get rid of any pop-up list. It will stay away unless you move to a different line,
then back to the end of that line.
Changing the Lists
Page 2 Stage builds up lists, based on what you type, for the Characters, Scene locations, and Scene
time-of-day lists. Sometimes you want to edit these lists directly. You may have removed or renamed a character
and the old name is still displayed.
Tools, Lists, Script Lists is a dialog box listing all of the Characters, Scene Locations, and Scene time-of-days.
You can add or delete names directly. To rebuild the list, click on the Reset button. The script is scanned and
rebuilt from the names in each Character paragraph.
Tools, Lists, Standard Lists are standard lists of words that exist for every script. You will note that Character,
Scene Location, and Time-of-Day exist here too. The words in these lists are not rebuilt, they are here until you
change them. These words are added to the script specific lists. The same word, if in both lists, will not appear
twice in a pop-up window.
Changing the Paragraph Type
The beginning of every paragraph you type is compared to the lists for Scenes (INT./EXT.), Transitions, Shots,
and Fade In (Action). If you type in the complete text from one of these lists, the paragraph will be changed
to that type. In the case of a Scene it will then prompt you for the scene location while the other types will
assume it is a complete paragraph and create a new following paragraph.
Not a Dictator
The best way to handle all of this is to not think about it. Page 2 Stage will generally be doing the
correct thing as you just type. You can also undo any of these actions. First, you can turn off the auto-complete
in the options. Second, you can press ESC and the list goes away for that line. Third, it only auto-completes or
auto-changes paragraphs when you first type the text in. If you change it and then type some more, Screen Writer
Studio will not change it back.
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