Writing in Scripto will feel faster and more fluid if you take a bit of time to learn all the different ways you can change block types.
Scripto predicts which block type you need based on context. For example, if your cursor is in a Character block and you hit return, Scripto will create a new Dialogue block, since character followed by dialogue is such a common pairing.
If the block type that Scripto sets by default is not the one you want, here are the different ways you can change the type.
1️⃣ Just write – In some cases, Scripto can infer which block type you actually want based on what you type into an empty block and will automatically change the block type on the fly. Let's say that after your Character block, you actually want a Parenthetical block, not Dialogue. The block type is Dialogue, but as soon as you type an open parentheses ( Scripto automatically switches the block type to Parenthetical. In this case, you don't have to adjust the block type yourself. You can just write and Scripto will change the block type for you on the fly.
Here are the cues that will make Scripto adjust the block type on the fly.
When you type an open parentheses into an empty block, Scripto sets the type to Parenthetical
When you type an open bracket into an empty block, Scripto sets the type to Bracket. (Studio format)
When you type INT. or EXT. into an empty block, Scripto sets the type to Scene Heading. (Screenplay format)
When you type a standard transition—cut to:, fade to:, fade in:, dissolve to:, or fade out.—into an empty block, Scripto sets the type to Transition (Screenplay format). Note the period instead of a colon after 'fade out.'
This is the most fluid way to get the block type you want so it's worth practicing this approach.
2️⃣ Tab key – Pressing the Tab key is another fast way to switch block types. Each time you press Tab, Scripto will switch to the next plausible block type given the type of the previous block. Note that Shift + Tab will cycle in the opposite direction.
3️⃣ Keyboard shortcuts – Each block type has a keyboard shortcut. (⌘1 for Scene Heading. ⌘2 for Action. And so on)
4️⃣ Block type menu – You can open the block type menu by clicking on the icon in the margin, or by pressing ⌘K. Then select the type that you want.
