"Mode" Menu

This allows you to switch between RoughDraft's three modes of operation. The title bar shows which mode is currently in use, and the colour changes to reflect this.

Normal Mode (Ctrl+F5) - Blue title bar

Screenplay Mode (Ctrl+F6) - Green title bar

Normal operation of the <Tab> key is suspended and instead it is used as a way of cycling between the various formatting that a screenplay or teleplay requires. Pressing <Tab> will cycle the current paragraph through the formats in the following order:

• Character - roughly central on the page (once it is printed).
• Dialogue - left justified and heavily indented on the left and right.
• Parenthetical - left justified and indented slightly more than dialogue.
• Transitional - on the right hand side of the page.
• Scene Heading / Action Line - left justified, flush with the left margin.

In addition, pressing the <Return> key sometimes changes the formatting:

• Pressing <Return> while in Character format drops you immediately into Dialogue format, since this is most likely what is required next. It also makes sure that everything on the Character line is capitalised, so you don't need hold <Shift> (or press Caps Lock) when typing in character names.
• Ppressing <Return> while in Parenthetical format drops you into Dialogue format.
• Pressing <Return> while in Transitional format drops you into Scene Heading format.

This may sound complicated, but if you work with screenplay layouts, it should be very practical. If a paragraph ends up in the wrong format, simply press <Tab> again to change it.

When switching between formats, the currently applied format is shown briefly in the message area at the bottom left of the window.

To insert a normal tab without switching between modes, use Ctrl+<Tab>.

Stage/Radio Play Mode (Ctrl+F7) - Red title bar

Normal operation of the <Tab> key is suspended and instead it is used as a way of cycling between the two formats commonly needed in a stage or radio play. Pressing <Tab> will cycle the current paragraph through the formats in the following order:

• Character / Dialogue - the first line is flush with the left margin; subsequent lines are indented on the left side.
• Stage / Sound Direction - All lines are flush with the left margin.

Pressing <Return> in either format drops you back into Character / Dialogue format, since these lines will form the bulk of the play.

When switching between formats, the currently applied format is shown briefly in the message area at the bottom left of the window.

To insert a normal tab without switching between modes, use Ctrl+<Tab>.