Using FrameMaker 8 (unstructured). No FrameScript. No content-management system.
Hoping to realize some efficiencies through the reuse of content, we are considering how to disassemble content in legacy documents into separate topics that will be inserted as needed into container documents. There will be three kinds of cross references in these documents: Topic to Topic, Topic to Container, and Container to Topic. We will want to set up XREFs to heading numbers, table numbers, figure numbers, and, probably, page numbers, all of which use a two-level (for example, "Figure 1-1. A Picture") format. In addition, all graphics are imported by reference into the individual topic documents. The deliverables will be PDFs with (we hope) working links. What is the best practice for achieving this using unstructured FrameMaker? Will moving to structured FrameMaker make this effort any easier? On 3 March, Rene Stephenson wrote, "the sure-fire way to handle xrefs in a text inset is actually by using hypertext links rather than xrefs." One challenge I have with this is in creating the GOTOLINK spot. For example, we currently identify graphics with the chapnum and the figure number followed by a text label. Is the best way to create a hypertext link to insert the XREF to the figure name (no numerals--I'm guessing that they won't necessarily update properly in the container doc), convert that XREF to text, mark the converted XREF with a character tag, and then insert the GOTOLINK command? (Whew! I can almost hear the gnashing of teeth.) I realize that this is a complex issue (even putting aside the issue of whether it is safer to put headings... also numbered...in the topics or in the container docs). Can anyone can recommend resources for resolving this issue? Doug Eaton
