figure numbers

Question

Level 1

4 points

figure numbers

I'm a little puzzled at the functionality of figure numbers.

At present I am working on a sample chapter for a major textbook publisher to show how products of IBA can compare to 'dead tree & ink' books.

The chapter I'm working on is NOT chapter 1, yet all of my figures are forced to the format "Figure 1.1, Figure 1.2 etc...). Surely there's not some delusion that everyone starts with Chapter 1 and never breaks that pattern. I could easily envision a situation where groups (of at least two) are working in collaboration in a situation where an individuals might work from a common template and each work on separate chapters.

Certainly I can envision that under those circumstances, it's possible that IBA might automatically renumber figures in chapters that suddenly become say, Ch 3 instead of Ch 1, but still in my particular situation, this "Chapter 11" will be the only product at this time. The figures ought to be able to match the text. Yes, I know, I could simply type in the correct text in the figure header/footer, but if I want hyperlinks to work properly then that option is not viable.

Thoughts?

iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iOS 5.1, iBooks Author on MBA

Posted on Mar 24, 2012 5:18 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 24, 2012 8:00 AM in response to Terry Austin

Have a look in the inspector, layout, numbering. There are options ofr section numbering (and page numbering)... No, that appears to change only the section numbering.

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Answer 2

Terry Austin Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 24, 2012 8:46 AM in response to David Bourne

Thanks, David

While this is helpful, it's still not a full solution.

This feature lets me adjust SECTION numbers. I need to adjust numbering at the level of CHAPTER. Sadly, that does not yet seem to be available. If anyone has information to the contrary, I would appreciate the help.

Terry

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Answer 3

Terry Austin Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 24, 2012 8:54 AM in response to Terry Austin

Ok... from help files here's what I'm seeing after a bit of digging.

"

Renumber chapters, sections, and pages

All page numbering is based on the landscape orientation. In iBooks Author, you can see page numbers in theBook pane, to the left of each thumbnail while in the landscape orientation. In the finished book, page numbers appear in the lower-right corner of the page in both orientations.

Chapters, sections, and pages are automatically numbered. (Chapters and sections are numbered separately from one another.) By default, these items are numbered sequentially throughout the entire book, but you can make a section or page start with a specific number."

So, apparently, at this point you can only set specific numbering for sections or pages, NOT chapters. If someone finds to the contrary, please post a reply.

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Answer 4

Mar 24, 2012 9:01 AM in response to Terry Austin

Just a quick thought. You could add empty chapters in front of the first chapter of interest. Something like please ignore or intentially blank ;-)

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Answer 5

Terry Austin Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 24, 2012 9:14 AM in response to David Bourne

While that would work (and I had thought of it myself), this is a project for one of the largest textbook publisher in the world.

I truly hate trying to show how good a job IBA can do with such an obvious cludgy work-around just to make the figure numbers appear correctly.

At this point, my best bet seems to be to simply have them all be from "Chapter 1" (fake) instead of "Chapter 11" (real chapter number). It's a little visual disconnect that I will simply have to explain, I suppose.

With the kind of omph these folks have I really dislike having this sort of slop in the product. It's not conducive to trust in the platform.

All of that said - I do appreciate your feedback, David. The effort is well meant. I'm afraid I may have hit a wall that can't be broached for this particular project. I'm likely best served by zipping my lip and hoping they don't notice the 'flaw'.

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Answer 6

Apr 18, 2012 11:02 AM in response to Terry Austin

Section = Chapter to all intents and purposes.

To see how numbering works and how you can start, stop and continue numbering of your choice anywhere:

http://www.freeforum101.com/iworktipsntrick/viewtopic.php?p=505&mforum=iworktips ntrick#505

Peter

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Answer 7

Jul 9, 2013 6:23 PM in response to Terry Austin

It is distressing to think that Apple wants to be a legitimate player in the eTextbook market and thinks they can do it exclusively on their good looks and awesome user interface.

I'm afraid PROFESSORS and those who publish for professors have the attention span of the dog in the movie "UP!".

So APPLE, please, grab some of us who are trying to do first class academic work with your product, and work us into your stakeholder groups so we can educate you on what the market needs.

I suspect if you won't, Amazon will.

Really, we are trying to help!

Don - presently MacBook Pro/iPad Mini

Formerly, Apple //e, Apple Lisa (x3), Apple SE 30.

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Answer 8

K T

Level 7

23,895 points

Jul 9, 2013 6:54 PM in response to TX Aggie SE

Don:

Once a year, Apple invites various authors to meet with staffers in New York during a major book convention - you may want to keep an eye out for that opportunity.

As well, while there is no formal bug reporting method similar to what devs have w/apps, iBA does have a 'Provide iBooks Author Feedback' menu item you may want to use.

Good luck in any case.

Ken

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Answer 9

Jun 16, 2016 9:09 PM in response to Terry Austin

Have you tried making this first chapter a preface? You can set how you want prefaces numbered - I use roman numerals and Chapter One has figures labelled correctly as Figure 1.1 etc.

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