If you're a die-hard Scrivener 2 user trying to get your head around the changes in Scrivener 3 and what they mean for your projects, this guide is for you.
Scrivener 3: A Guide for Scrivener 2 Users
If you're a Scrivener 2 user familiar with features such as Compile and Project Notes, you might find that some of the changes in Scrivener 3 seem a little alien. Compile, in particular, has undergone a major redesign—it is now simpler to use and more flexible. However, the benefits of the way Compile now works might not be obvious to a Scrivener 2 user whose immediate concern is getting older presets and settings working with the new system.
We've therefore put together a guide aimed at Scrivener 2 users to help with the transition to Scrivener 3. This guide is only intended for users finding the switch a little difficult or who want to go into more depth. You don't need to read this guide if you're new to Scrivener, or if you found the update to Scrivener 3 plain sailing.
The Upgrade Guide is a project that was created in Scrivener 2 and has not yet been updated to Scrivener 3 format. The idea is that you open it in Scrivener 3 (which will update the project format) and then walk through the steps inside the project. As you do so, you'll be prompted to use new features and update a sample Compile preset. You will learn:
- How to run Scrivener 2 and Scrivener 3 on the same computer.
- How to bring in Preferences from Scrivener 2.
- Where various features have been moved.
- How to use Bookmarks to replace Project Notes.
- How to update a Scrivener 2 Compile preset to work in Scrivener 3.
- How Compile Formats can now be used with all sorts of projects.
- How to access some of the main new features.
- How to get the most out of Styles.
It thus provides a hands-on guide to migrating a Scrivener 2 project to Scrivener 3.
To get started:
- Follow the download link below. A zip file entitled "UpgradeGuide-macOS.zip" will be downloaded.
- In the Finder, go to your Downloads folder. The zip file should have been automatically unzipped to a folder entitled "UpgradeGuide-macOS". If not, double-click the zip file to unzip it manually.
- From inside the "UpgradeGuide-macOS" folder, open "Upgrade Guide.scriv" in Scrivener 3.
- Follow the prompts to update the file format.
- When the project opens, begin with the "Start Here" document at the top of the project binder and then work through everything inside the yellow "Tutorial" folder.