GSoC 2009 Ideas

Christoph made an early start on this topic. Here is his proposed list of potential gsoc projects if we ever get to do GSoC 2009.

Possible GSoC 2009 projects by Christoph Schaefer:

Implement complete ODT/SXW and ODG (= ODG/SXD multi-page) import and export (ie. enable the import of OpenDocument Text and Graphics files as files, not just as formatted text or a drawing).

Rewrite the table code and (perhaps) write an OpenDocument and OO.org spreadsheet importer (select the table, select the range, option to ignore character and table formatting, option to import diagrams, option to import as a table, as csv or as a vector graphic, options for page break, including creation of new pages, style import, linked spreadsheet files, copy'n'paste).

Rewrite Search & Replace (search the whole document or even all opened documents, enable regular expressions).

Enable the use of MultipleMaster fonts based on mmafm and mmpfb from the lcdf type tools, and implement a UI for their use in Scribus (check the licence!).

Write a plug-in for using Scribus as a tool for designing packaging material (use DXF or EPS export from a CAD app and help the designer to create a 2-D printing template; ideally, also create an OpenGL-based 3-D preview for the final package). Note: I may be able to arrange a traineeship with a local producer of packaging machines in Germany (State of Hessen).

Enhance the Text Filter, so that it can import/export InDesign Exchange Files, InDesign Snippets, QuarkXTags and QuarkXML, docbook, plain XML etc. Also, create a new UI for the Text Filter to make it more consistent with other Scribus dialogs and more flexible.

Enhance the Color Wheel to something similar like Illy's Live Colors (read the Illustrator CS 3 manual from Adobe for a reference).

Write a web-based editing system for Scribus (Scribus Server): Scribus files should be viewable and (at least partially, ie. text frames) editable in a browser. An admin should be able to set editing policies. requires enhancements to the file format.

Implement anchored objects in text frames and enhance Inline Objects.

Enable use of CID fonts (and CJK typographical rules).

Rewrite Hyphenation code and the related UI.

Enhance EPS and SVG export and create real export dialogs (like the one for PDF files). Ask Franz first!

Enhancements to guides (diagonal guides, differently coloured guides, snap guides to objects, snap guides to ruler tickers, multiple duplicate of guides, copy'n'paste guides, distribute and align guides, lock individual guides, guides for different layers, paste guides or groups of guides to the scrapbook, select multiple guides with a modifier key, add possibility to take on guides when copying pages). Ask Petr first!

More runaround options for text (read clipping paths in EPS and AI files, detect and use transparency ...).

Macro recorder (ask Henning first).

Rewrite of the Eyedropper and the Magic Wand.

Spot colour improvements (spot colour tints, mixing spot colours (inks), loading and creating ink groups (cf. ID), read spot colours in TIFF and PSD files).

Rewrite the bookmarks code.

Layer enhancements (enable/disable guides for single layers, option to remove unused layers, merge selected layers, cloning of layers, new layer indicators: use different colours for frame borders, handles etc.).

Enhance the image export and let it create colour managed and really printable files, including spot colours in TIFF files. Ask Herm and Jean first!