You can start a Python script from within Scribus by going to the Script menu and choosing either Execute Script…, which opens a dialog box for selecting a script to run, or Scribus Scripts, which lists the scripts in the /usr/share/scribus/scripts directory, which contains the official scripts for Scribus. For this evaluation, I downloaded, compiled, and installed the latest stable Python version (1.3.3.11). If your distribution successfully runs Scribus, then you probably have the required Python components. Not much is required to use Python scripts in Scribus. Scripts are useful for page layout in a few interrelated ways, including automating repetitive tasks and tasks that involve measuring, such as placing page elements and creating page guides.

Python scripting in Scribus can drastically improve your work flow, and it’s relatively easy for beginners to not only use scripts, but also write them. Scribus, a free page layout program that runs on Linux (and Mac OS and Windows) uses the Python programming language for user scripting. Have you ever said, “This program is pretty nice, but I wish it would …”? For applications that offer the capability, scripting gives users the ability to customize, extend, and tailor a program to meet their needs.

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