How to Use Scapple

Starting a Project

Scapple starts you with a clean, blank page full of possibilities (or crippling anxiety, your choice). Whether a plotter or pantser, you can start right in with Scapple, plan or no plan.

One Note

1. Double-click anywhere on the screen and a text box will appear.
2. Type whatever data you need, have, wish you had, or borrowed from another writer.
3.  Click outside the text box and ta-da, you have your first note.

Two Notes

1.  To add a second note, double-click in another location.
2.  Type.
3.  Click outside the note. You are totally on your way.

Three Notes

1.  Other ways to add notes besides the double-click. Go to the Notes menu.
2.  Click on:

a.       New Stacked Note—a new note will appear under the last note you created if you are still in your current note.

b.      If no note is selected, add another one with New Note.

c.       To add a Connected Note (with a link between), click on the parent (first) note, and under the Notes menu, select Connected Note. Choose where the connected note will appear (above, below, etc.)

More!

Editing Notes

     Simple—Double-click on any note to edit the text.

     Fancy—Get the Inspector

• Click on the View menu and choose Show Inspector. It defaults to the Note Style tab. This will display a handy pop-up formatting menu with various style elements—font, size, color, fill, border color, and shape. Great for distinguishing various plot elements, notes for yourself, or character arcs. (Note, the Inspector likes to linger as if it’s its own programs. Right now, it’s visible on my MS Word screen.) Just minimize the Inspector window to remove it from the screen.)
•  On the Document tab of the Inspector, further customize the screen with background colors and textures, text colors, fonts, and alignment. You can set defaults on this menu.

     More Fancy—Additional borders

• Click on any note and select the Notes menu, then New Background Shape Around Note. This will add another rectangle or square shape around the note (and extra border). This can differentiate your note from others. (Maybe it’s a plot beat or a section that needs work.)

Less Notes

• To remove a note, select the note by clicking on it. Then either Right-Mouse click and select Delete. Or open the Edit menu and choose Delete.

Moving Notes

• Click and drag a single note to a new location.
• Or  draw a square/rectangle around the notes to select multiple notes. Drag or use the Notes menu to Stack, Align, or Distribute the notes.