LaTeX forum ⇒ LyX ⇒ view vs update

[anmo1]

Hi, I search around but couldn't find the answer to this: what is the difference between view (ctrl+r) and update (ctrl+shift+r)?

Also, I see these commands do not create a pdf on the documents' directory, so I have to "export to pdf" if I want to do that. What was the rationale for making "view pdf" separate from "export to pdf"?

Thanks

[StarValkyrie]

View compiles your document and opens it in your pdf viewer.
Update compiles your document and refreshes the file already open in your pdf viewer (or does not display if you don't have the file open).

You do not have to export to pdf if you're also using View and Update - just click Save As in your pdf viewer.

View and Update do not, by default, automatically save/overwrite for several reasons, including version control and the possibility of corrupting your previous output file when a new compile quits with errors. If you would prefer it to automatically overwrite regardless, you can turn that feature on. Follow these instructions to do so.