Update on 0014799: Export to IDML (indesign)?

[seanth]

It's been 8 years since something was first posted to the bugtracker ([https://bugs.scribus.net/view.php?id=14799]).

Is there any projected timeline for implementation of Scribus being able to export to idml?

[flagsoft]

I'm more interested in the counter part, import InDesign (IDML) to Scribus to get rid of InDesign :)

But it should be possible just with XML / XSLT translation in both directions ?

https://docs.lokalise.com/en/articles/6096267-indesign-idml

[seanth]

As far as I know Scribus already imports .idml. https://github.com/scribusproject/scribus/tree/master/scribus/plugins/import/idml

[flagsoft]

As far as I know Scribus already imports .idml. https://github.com/scribusproject/scribus/tree/master/scribus/plugins/import/idml

Ah, yes, it works.
At least what I tested with: https://customerscanvas.com/help/designers-manual/adobe/indesign/gallery.html

[seanth]

Sort of mindblowing that with .sla and .idml both well documented there isn't a .sla-->.idml converter...especially since Scribus can read .idml files

[flagsoft]

May I ask you what your goal is to have a save as idml ?

You you be more specific? Sometimes I need only the text. Sometimes I need only Fonts used.
Sometimes I just need an image, etc.

BTW: The full IDML file format is a 500+ page specification. This will take years to implement in full and functional. So but it is possible to do just a little basic part of it.
idml-specification.pdf

See also here idml.dev
https://www.idml.dev/en.html

[seanth]

The goal is to be able to allow user A to user Scribus and send a idml file to user B that uses inDesign.

Right now user B can send a idml file to user A since Scribus can read idml files. The code for unidirectional conversion exists already.

[flagsoft]

Solution: Kill InDesign. Done.

[aoloe]

What about asking InDesign to import .sla files?

More seriously, I don't think that we ever will be able to have a round trip between Scribus and InDesign, except if Adobe offers it.

Scribus does an OK job at importing IDML files, but there will always parts that do not get perfectly converted.
That's fine if you want to import some work, fix it and continue working in Scribus.
But you would not want to check and fix everything each time the document goes from one person to the other.

Personally, I think that for now Scribus should focus on improving even further the import of IDML.
And with a bit of AI, InDesign will soon be able to import and "understand" PDFs generated by Scribus : - )

[seanth]

@aoloe if that's the case the bug tracker (https://bugs.scribus.net/view.php?id=14799) should make it clear it won't be implemented

[aoloe]

Well, that's my personal opinion, not an official stance for Scribus.

At any time, somebody could jump in and work on an IDML exporter, that is likely to be accepted even if by far it fails to be helpful for a round trip between Scribus and InDesign (but somehow manages to get content to go from the first to the latter).

But there is another idea floating around: defining a new file format for Scribus itself... maybe, basing it on IDML (like Inkscape bases its format on SVG) could help some sort of interchange.