LyX ⇒ First steps in LyX

[kalvaro]

I’m currently using Microsoft Word and a PDF printer to maintain the printable documentation for a web application I’m working on. Apart from the fact that Word is a pain in the ass to work with, I’m facing a problem with the branded versions of the manuals: I need to duplicate manually every change in every branch because *.doc is a binary format so it’s immune to Subversion’s merge command. I was told about LyX and, in theory, it looks like the tool I need. However, I’m having a hard time trying to figure out how to get started with LyX.

The manuals have a cover, a table of contents (generated from titles), footer, header, three level of titles, paragraphs, lists and screen captures. As output, I need a PDF file with a searchable bookmark panel (generated from the titles). I’m using LyX 1.6.5 under Windows XP SP3 Professional.

My questions so far:

1. In “File-> New from template” I have to choose from cryptic file names like “iop-article.lyx” or “agu_article.lyx”. Most of these templates trigger this error: “The layout file requested by this document, docbook.layout, is not usable. This is probably because a LaTeX class or style file required by it is not available. See the Customization documentation for more information. LyX will not be able to produce output.” (even though the installer spent like an hour downloading and installing stuff). Do I need to use a template for my purposes or is a blank document good enough?

2. In “File-> Import” there’s an option to import HTML. I exported my Word document to HTML but LyX won’t accept it: “LyX: Cannot convert file. An error occurred whilst running java -jar htmltolatex.jar -input "manual.html" -ou”. What can the problem be?

3. I finally tried the clipboard but all the document is pasted in a single line. I lose everything: titles, lists and even paragraphs! How can I reuse the text of the previous manuals without manually inserting all lines breaks?

P.S. Please bear with me. I’ve spent an hour reading documentation and all I know so far is how to correctly pronounce LaTeX in English…

[meho_r]

First, LyX is using binary format too (.lyx) which is, unfortunately, prone to fail from time to time, so, my first advice is to keep regular backups of your .lyx files if you decide to stick with LyX. Unlike LyX, if you're using full-blown LaTeX editors, you'll work with plain text files with the extension .tex which can be open and edited by any text editor. Although LyX may be good for beginners and some, how to say, basic use, you'll probably end up with a need for more control and power which can be achieved in LyX but in a really hard way. Hence, you may consider to start with full-blown LaTeX editors like TeXnic Center, WinEdt etc.

Second, if you want to export .doc files to .tex, I'd recommend to install OpenOffice.org (it's free) and use Writer2Latex extension to export .doc or .odf files to .tex. This answers the second and the third of your questions. As for the first one, you may start with a customized document class like Koma-script or memoir. I personally prefer memoir, but it is up to you to see which fulfills your needs better.

Also, don't forget to visit LaTeX Resources for Beginners section on this forum. And welcome to the community

[kalvaro]

First, LyX is using binary format too (.lyx) which is, unfortunately, prone to fail from time to time, so, my first advice is to keep regular backups of your .lyx files if you decide to stick with LyX.

That's scary... I'll keep an eye on it. But the *.lyx files I obtain look like regular UTF-8 encoded text files:

Code: Select all

#LyX 1.6.5 created this file. For more info see http://www.lyx.org/
\lyxformat 345
\begin_document
\begin_header
\textclass article
...

Perhaps it's configurable or the binary format was just abandoned

Unlike LyX, if you're using full-blown LaTeX editors, you'll work with plain text files with the extension .tex which can be open and edited by any text editor. Although LyX may be good for beginners and some, how to say, basic use, you'll probably end up with a need for more control and power which can be achieved in LyX but in a really hard way. Hence, you may consider to start with full-blown LaTeX editors like TeXnic Center, WinEdt etc.

The problem is that I need a tool where I can produce actual work while I learn. LyX is getting hard enough so I can't figure out what it'd be to need to learn the syntax of the language before being able to type text


I'll have a look at the Writer2Latex extension and Resources for Beginners section. Thank you for your tips.

[meho_r]

You can open .lyx file with an editor, but that's of no use since the syntax you see there isn't that of LaTeX's and cannot be understood by any other application beside LyX. Actually, if your .lyx file is screwed for some reason so LyX can't read it, I'm not sure if you can recover it at all (maybe there is a way but I'm sure it isn't an easy one). That's why you should regularly do backup of your data and export your document as .tex file, just in case.

LaTeX has a steep learning curve, but you shouldn't be afraid of it. It isn't that hard And investing your time to learn "real" LaTeX instead of just an "interface" for it would pay off later. However, it is up to you to decide (I started with LyX too, and after some time switched to Kile/TeXmaker/TeXWorks editors). In any case, you'll get high quality output light years better than that that any Word processing apps can give.

Also notice that not many users here, on the forum, use LyX so if you have LyX-related problems you wouldn't get quick answer as when you ask about LaTeX.