TOC not picking up chapter markers

[Optimusdinkus2]

In my styles, I have a text variable being the chapter name, when I go to auto generate the TOC it doesn't produce it even though I have a paragraph style applied specifically to the chapter name

Also, in dealing with page numbers, is there anyway to take the page number's only and cut and past it into a different text frame? I appreciate any help you can give on this matter =).

 

[eugenetyson]

I'm not entirely sure why you have a text variable for your Chapter Name, but that's neither here nor there.

I have created the a file and applied variables for the Chapter headings and successfully created a TOC that includes the Chapter Names.

I'm not sure why you want the page numbers to be cut out seperately?

Can you clarify your technique for creating the variables and for creating the TOC in a step by step formula so that I can follow it to see what you're doing with it, because it should work fine?

Can you also tell me what your intention for the Page numbers is, so that I can better facilitate an answer that suits your requirements?

Thanks
Eugene

 

[Optimusdinkus2]

thank you Eugene for answering my concern first of all.
To continue, what I have is the chapter section name, aka Chapter 3
Then a right indent tab to show the chapter name, aka diagnostic wax up
Problem is, for the design to look the way my boss wants it, I need to have the page number at the right side in a specific box shape placeholder that is seperate from the text frame, and in formating I couldn't come up with a solution that worked =(
And what I do to make the chapter marker, is I go to text variable, define, I make the definition which goes like so
Type: Chapter Number
Text Before, Chapter
Style: Roman Numeral's Uppercase
I have that flowed on a master page that is on each document, in total 16 documents, 14 chapters a prefix and a glossary.
If you need me to be more specific, please let me know, and thank you once again

 

[eugenetyson]

Is there any way you can post a couple of screen shots, of what way you have it done, show frame edges etc. so I can see the placeholders and variables etc.

Then post some pictures of what is happening with the ToC.

You can upload images to

http://www.imageshack.us

and then if you preview your post here you can get to the details of how to post an image on here.

That would be great, because I don't follow the line of thought there?

Are you talking about for you ToC that you have this done? Or is it in the actual body text?

It's a little confusing, pictures would help.

 

[Optimusdinkus2]

I've discovered the issue and quite frankly it sucks. Basically, if you have the variable not set on a master page, it works fine, if you do however, the contents cannot generate at all. for example, if my chapter titles have in the beggining Chapter 1: Waxup's its fine. But if I have it on a master page with the section title and such, it doesnt work

By optimusdinkus at 2007-11-05

By optimusdinkus at 2007-11-05

By optimusdinkus at 2007-11-05

By optimusdinkus at 2007-11-05

By optimusdinkus at 2007-11-05

By optimusdinkus at 2007-11-05

 

[eugenetyson]

Ah I see... that's a little frustrating. I think I know what the problem is here and it might be a simple workaround.

Basically, what I've done before, and it's the way Corel Ventura (shudders) works for running heads and the likes.

I sometimes put in on the main page of text in white, somewhere discreet.

Chapter 12 \t Ceramics (or something similar)

I then just make that the style say, Running Head, paragraph style. I just copy the None style and rename it to something like Chapter Running Head and apply it to the text.

I then, on my master page, put in a Variable, also called Chapter Running head, to pick up the first paragraph style on the page called Chapter Running Head.

So now any time that InDesign reaches the point where I have a style Called Chapter Running Head on the paragraph style, it applies it to the Running Head.

You can automate the numbers by using Numbered List.

I don't have CS3 on this computer, so I'm going to link you to here, to show you the numbered list feature.

http://indesignsecrets.com/making-numbered-tickets.php

The ToC should now pick up the Style Chapter Running Head and insert in no problem.

The numbers for your ToC, I see where it can be quite difficult. But you don't necessarily need to insert them into another box.

You can use Nested Styles. Basically you tell InDesign to use a Character Style up to a certain character, it could be a tab, or a en space or anything, you just say, when you get to this character apply a different character style until the end.

More on that here:

http://indesignsecrets.com/episode-11-nested-style-sheets-video.php

http://indesignsecrets.com/episode-12-nested-style-sheets-part-2-video.php

http://indesignsecrets.com/episode-13-nested-style-sheets-part-3-video.php

This is part of the Paragraph Style. I always advise to have seperate styles for the ToC than the body text, called something like ToC Chapter Heading, ToC Body, ToC Page Numbers etc.

It's always best to have styles that are non-conflicting.


As regarding the way you have the running heads set up, and you're probably not looking forward to changing them all.

I will return tomorrow, as you caught me at the end of my work day, and I don't have CS3 at home to write up a comprehensive how-to for Chapter Number variables to be included in the TOC.

But I will, tomorrow. I think you have a bit of stuff to look at there for now. And I can think about it tonight.

Eugene

 

[Optimusdinkus2]

Thank you Eugene, you helped me with that issue, and I thank you greatly for it, But one other issue Im having with the master page.
If I have a spread on a master page with objects somewhat close to the spine (but like a .5 inch margin away from it) those other objects will show up on that side of the spread that I attach to the page (see images attached). Bassically I have seperate master pages for variety in these image layouts, but whenever I attached the master page of one side of the spread to a page, the items of the other side of the spread also appear, and I cannot detach them from the master page >.<. Why is this happening? =)

<a href="

http://img114.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture3dc5.png"

target="_blank"><img src="

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/6711/picture3dc5.th.png"

border="0"/></a>