Re: Framescript to remove all images (but leave the AFrames)

[Yves Barbion]

Hi Jeremy

Thank you for your help, but I'm afraid I cannot use MIF2Go for this job.
This is what I read in the MIF2Go Help:

If your document contains many images that were imported into FrameMaker by
copying instead of by reference, and these embedded images have not been
embellished in FrameMaker with callouts or other added features, you might
want to consider replacing them with referenced graphics.

Well, the images have been embellished (I like the word) with callouts...
in Word ;-( And it's even worse, because the images have also been cropped
in Word and the pictures have been taken at a ridiculously high resolution
for their purpose: 10 x 15 inches @ 300 dpi, where their actual size in the
FM document should be 2.5 x 1.5 inches and 150 dpi should be more than
enough for PDF and laser print output.

Cheers

Yves


On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 1:35 AM, Jeremy H. Griffith jer...@omsys.com wrote:

 On Wed, 8 Apr 2009 18:25:00 +0200, Yves Barbion yves.barb...@gmail.com
 wrote:

 I've got a HUGE FrameMaker-file (880 MB!) which I converted from Word. Of
 course, all images are copied into document, which is the reason why
 it's
 so big.
 
 Does anyone have a Framescript he/she wishes to share which removes all
 images from the frames, but which also leaves the AFrames intact?

 Hi Yves!  You already have a tool that does this, Mif2Go.  ;-)

 Set it to export all graphics, per User's Guide par. 2.5.3,
 Replacing embedded graphics with referenced graphics.
 Then go through the doc in Frame; as you come to each
 graphic, select it (the image, *not* the anchored frame),
 identify the appropriate exported image (which is in the
 original format it had when imported), and File  Import.
 You won't have to fix your scaling or anything else.

 BTW, for others with this issue, it also works fine
 in the demo version; you don't need to buy a copy of
 Mif2Go to use it for this purpose.

 HTH!

 -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
  jer...@omsys.com  http://www.omsys.com/




-- 
Yves Barbion • Managing Director • Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor
www.scripto.nu  • skype: yves.barbion  • T: +32 494 12 01 89
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Re: Framescript to remove all images (but leave the AFrames)

[Jeremy H. Griffith]

On Thu, 9 Apr 2009 08:35:02 +0200, Yves Barbion yves.barb...@gmail.com 
wrote:

Thank you for your help, but I'm afraid I cannot use MIF2Go for this job.
This is what I read in the MIF2Go Help:

If your document contains many images that were imported into FrameMaker by
copying instead of by reference, and these embedded images have not been
embellished in FrameMaker with callouts or other added features, you might
want to consider replacing them with referenced graphics.

Actually, that embellished part is not a reason to keep the
graphics embedded; you can use callouts with referenced graphics
exactly the same as with embedded, and the process I suggested 
will work fine with them.  The comment in the User's Guide is
related to a different issue, one that's not relevant here.

Well, the images have been embellished (I like the word) with callouts...
in Word ;-( And it's even worse, because the images have also been cropped
in Word and the pictures have been taken at a ridiculously high resolution
for their purpose: 10 x 15 inches @ 300 dpi, where their actual size in the
FM document should be 2.5 x 1.5 inches and 150 dpi should be more than
enough for PDF and laser print output.

None of that matters at all.  Have you actually *tried* the
process I suggested?  If you leave the embedded images in
place until you select and replace them with the referenced
copies Mif2Go makes for you, the referenced graphics will
have *exactly* the same settings as the embedded ones do.
You will not see any visible difference at all.  But your
Frame file will be a lot smaller, and more stable.

HTH!

-- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
  jer...@omsys.com  http://www.omsys.com/
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¿Is there a substitute for MicroType TimeSavers?

[Stamm, David-P45904]

2009-04-09-04T11:30Z

My apologies to you, Shlomo, but I have to ask.

FrameMaker 7.1p116
Acrobat  Professional 8.1.3

As they might say in New York, Not for nothing, but . . ..

¿Is there a substitute for TimeSavers?

¿If yes, what?

¡Thanks in advance for your prompt responses!

Dave Stamm
Publications Specialist, Senior Staff
General Dynamics C4 Systems, Inc.
Battle Management Systems Division
1700 Magnavox Way, Suite 200
Fort Wayne, Indiana  46804-1552
US
tel:  260-434-9620
fax:  260.434.9606
dave.st...@gdc4s.com
http://www.gdc4s.com/

This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may 
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use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited.  If you are not an intended 
recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of 
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Re: Framescript to remove all images (but leave the AFrames)

[Yves Barbion]

Hi Jeremy

I see that this is very difficult to explain via e-mail: we seem to
misunderstand each other here.

I'll try again:

1. I have a big Word file (+600 MB) which needs to be converted to
FrameMaker. In the Word file, the pictures have been imported copied into
document, cropped, the resolution of the pictures is way too high and some
pictures have callouts placed on top of them.

2. I open the Word file in FrameMaker and I see the following:

   - The size of my FrameMaker file is now +870 MB because, of course, the
   images are still copied into doc.
   - The cropping info is not maintained.
   - The callouts are gone, distorted, or not where they were in the Word
   file.

Yes, I  have tried the process you suggested, at least for the images which
did not have any callouts or cropping.

You suggested: Then go through the doc in Frame; as you come to each
graphic, select it (the image, *not* the anchored frame),
identify the appropriate exported image (which is in the
original format it had when imported), and File  Import.

When I select an image (not the AFrame) and then choose File  Import 
File, however, I get the message Cannot specify a dpi setting for the
selected graphic object (as expected).

And yes, I know that referenced graphics are recommended in most cases.

Anyway, I have removed all the embedded graphics in the meantime (using
Klaus Mueller's Framescript - thanks again, Klaus). No need to worry about
this anymore (and the size of the FM file is now 1.7 MB instead of +870!

Cheers

-- 
Yves Barbion • Managing Director • Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor
www.scripto.nu  • skype: yves.barbion  • T: +32 494 12 01 89


On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 9:24 AM, Jeremy H. Griffith jer...@omsys.com wrote:

 On Thu, 9 Apr 2009 08:35:02 +0200, Yves Barbion yves.barb...@gmail.com
 wrote:

 Thank you for your help, but I'm afraid I cannot use MIF2Go for this job.
 This is what I read in the MIF2Go Help:
 
 If your document contains many images that were imported into FrameMaker
 by
 copying instead of by reference, and these embedded images have not been
 embellished in FrameMaker with callouts or other added features, you might
 want to consider replacing them with referenced graphics.

 Actually, that embellished part is not a reason to keep the
 graphics embedded; you can use callouts with referenced graphics
 exactly the same as with embedded, and the process I suggested
 will work fine with them.  The comment in the User's Guide is
 related to a different issue, one that's not relevant here.

 Well, the images have been embellished (I like the word) with
 callouts...
 in Word ;-( And it's even worse, because the images have also been cropped
 in Word and the pictures have been taken at a ridiculously high resolution
 for their purpose: 10 x 15 inches @ 300 dpi, where their actual size in
 the
 FM document should be 2.5 x 1.5 inches and 150 dpi should be more than
 enough for PDF and laser print output.

 None of that matters at all.  Have you actually *tried* the
 process I suggested?  If you leave the embedded images in
 place until you select and replace them with the referenced
 copies Mif2Go makes for you, the referenced graphics will
 have *exactly* the same settings as the embedded ones do.
 You will not see any visible difference at all.  But your
 Frame file will be a lot smaller, and more stable.

 HTH!

 -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
  jer...@omsys.com  http://www.omsys.com/

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Request for review of FrameMaker 9

[Steve Rickaby]

The ISTC (UK version of the STC) would like to solicit a review of FrameMaker 
9, if anyone is interested. No payment is involved, but you will get your 
name/company name in front of a large audience in the UK, US and Europe.
-- 
Steve Rickaby  http://www.linkedin.com/in/steverickaby

WordMongers Ltdhttp://www.wordmongers.com
Registered office Larks Cottage, Treen, St Levan, Penzance TR19 6LG
Registered in the UK, company number 3130681, VAT reg no GB 557 4598 91
Telephone/fax: 01 736 81
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Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Saunders, Ian]

Hi,

I am a fanatical Frame user but it looks as though I am going to have to 
convert my docs to Word (long story, but half my company's docs are written 
using Word). I know this question comes up time after time, but most responses 
refer to old reviews and comparisons (though probably the only ones that exist 
on the web). 

I work well and efficiently in Frame, and know exactly what it can and can't 
do. I enjoy using it. I am scared that working in Word will be less efficient, 
more frustrating, and that it will crash and screw up my documents.

Can anyone provide or point me to an up to date comparison of Frame 8 or 9 vs 
Word 2007 (or later?). I know this is hard because very few folks use both 
tools extensively and know what each is capable of. Frame fans say that Word 
sucks, and Word fans say it doesn't. Tit for tat. 

Is Word's multifile functionality still broken? Does it produce hyperlinked 
index entries by default. Does the latest Word have any serious problems or 
deficiencies, and which Frame functionality will I miss that makes working in 
Word harder or more time-comsuming.

If I can present an argument that justifies sticking with Frame because of 
cost-savings, I may yet be able to stave off its demise.

Many thanks! 

Ian Saunders 
Syntellect Inc (UK)

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Newbie question on ledger-sized pages

[Eva Whitley]

We are using Framemaker 8 (unstructured) to revise a manual and I want 
to do something I know how to do in Word but can't figure out how to do 
in Frame.

The chapter I'm working on has about 100 pages of standard 8 1/2 x 11 
text and graphics followed by 27 different ledger-sized (11x17) 
diagrams. Right now we have the graphics shrunk down and rotated 
sideways, but our SMEs are complaining they are too small to read. 
What's the best way people have found to integrate large diagrams in to 
a manual? I tried doing it as a separate chapter in the book, but even 
though I open both chapters, the cross-references are showing as 
unresolved. In Word I'd put in a section break, change the page size, 
and tweak the headers and footers but (since I have had very little 
training in Frame) I have no clue how to do this in Frame.

Help me Framemaker mavens, you're my only hope.

-- 
Eva Whitley, ETOSS Contract
301-713-1833x191
SSMC-2, 16129

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URGENT_Images and DPI

[Susan Curtzwiler]

Hi All, 
 
Software:  FrameMaker 7.0  on Vista Enterprise.  SnagIt 9 in .PNG format - 
required by management. 
Audience:  Technicians in a data center - they will be using a standard laptop. 
 This is for a runbook, mostly will be viewed on screen, limited printed copies 
in black only.
 
I need some really quick help with how to best use the DPI settings to import 
screen captures by reference.  
 
I have some wide screen captures that will not fit into the anchored frame and 
retain clarity. 
 
If I use the 96 DPI, I can get the area being emphasized, but not enough 
surrounding area to have landmarks for the user. 
 
The larger screen captures, about 4x6, are even more difficult.  If I use the 
150 DPI, it goes in the anchored frame, but again the text quality is not very 
good. 
 
Any input will be great.   I will be working with the FM scaling tool and see 
if I can get satisfactory results. 
 
Thanks,
Sue Curtzwiler 
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Re: URGENT_Images and DPI

[Art Campbell]

Susan,
What is your output format? Print, PDF, HTML, something else?
And for the wider shots, are you using the full text container width
(sidehead and column), or staying within the column?

Art Campbell
   art.campb...@gmail.com
  ... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52
Vincent and a redheaded girl. -- Richard Thompson
  No disclaimers apply.
   DoD 358



On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 11:06 AM, Susan Curtzwiler susa...@vmc.com wrote:
 Hi All,

 Software:  FrameMaker 7.0  on Vista Enterprise.  SnagIt 9 in .PNG format - 
 required by management.
 Audience:  Technicians in a data center - they will be using a standard 
 laptop.  This is for a runbook, mostly will be viewed on screen, limited 
 printed copies in black only.

 I need some really quick help with how to best use the DPI settings to import 
 screen captures by reference.

 I have some wide screen captures that will not fit into the anchored frame 
 and retain clarity.

 If I use the 96 DPI, I can get the area being emphasized, but not enough 
 surrounding area to have landmarks for the user.

 The larger screen captures, about 4x6, are even more difficult.  If I use the 
 150 DPI, it goes in the anchored frame, but again the text quality is not 
 very good.

 Any input will be great.   I will be working with the FM scaling tool and see 
 if I can get satisfactory results.

 Thanks,
 Sue Curtzwiler
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Re: Newbie question on ledger-sized pages

[Art Campbell]

You're using the correct approach, using two files in a book (separate
chapters aren't required -- just two files, which can be set up as a
single chapter). However, your problem seems to be resolving the
cross-refs, not starting over with a new approach.

Are both files in a book? Why can't you just resolve the cross-refs,
save, and go on?

Art

Art Campbell
   art.campb...@gmail.com
  ... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52
Vincent and a redheaded girl. -- Richard Thompson
  No disclaimers apply.
   DoD 358



On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 10:19 AM, Eva Whitley eva.whit...@noaa.gov wrote:
 We are using Framemaker 8 (unstructured) to revise a manual and I want
 to do something I know how to do in Word but can't figure out how to do
 in Frame.

 The chapter I'm working on has about 100 pages of standard 8 1/2 x 11
 text and graphics followed by 27 different ledger-sized (11x17)
 diagrams. Right now we have the graphics shrunk down and rotated
 sideways, but our SMEs are complaining they are too small to read.
 What's the best way people have found to integrate large diagrams in to
 a manual? I tried doing it as a separate chapter in the book, but even
 though I open both chapters, the cross-references are showing as
 unresolved. In Word I'd put in a section break, change the page size,
 and tweak the headers and footers but (since I have had very little
 training in Frame) I have no clue how to do this in Frame.

 Help me Framemaker mavens, you're my only hope.

 --
 Eva Whitley, ETOSS Contract
 301-713-1833x191
 SSMC-2, 16129

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RE: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Martinek, Carla]

You need to come up with a matrix of YOUR specific documentation
requirements, and work from that, as every comparison I'm aware of is
woefully out of date. You may want to start here for a list to work
from: 

http://www.adobe.com/products/framemaker/comparison.html

Because everyone else in the company uses Word is not a good reason to
switch, but if you have to share files/content with other writers, that
would be a valid reason. (If your content is in XML, Word claims to
handle XML just fine, so that negates the need to switch.)

Just like engineers and programmers, you need the correct tools to do
the job efficiently. Programmers can write code using MS Word, and
engineers can create graphics in MS Word's graphic window, but there are
better ways to do it, and they are provided the proper tools. Emphasize
that you are also a professional with specific requirements to complete
your job.

One thing that seems to have remained consistent with Word is its
...quirky... numbering capabilities. Every Word document I've ever had
to work in eventually has numbering issues (and I've worked in it since
back in the DOS days...) This is a REAL problem in technical
documentation, where you often have complex numbering schemes, such as
substeps, numbering for tables and figures, etc. I can make it work in
Word, but I can guarantee it will take more time as you are continually
fixing things that shouldn't have had issues to start with. I estimate
that Word docs take 25-30% longer just because of the inherent issues.
Maybe the new version is better, but the version we have here at work is
just as annoying as ever.

I remember an anecdotal comment on the list a while back about Microsoft
using FrameMaker to publish their printed Word User Guide...  not sure
if that's true, but if it is, that's rather telling in my mind that even
MS recognizes that Word is not suitable for long technical document
publishing.


-Carla


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RE: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Writer]

I have to agree with Carla on this point. Although, I'm tempted to amend her 
statement to say it would take AT LEAST 25-30% longer. I haven't used the 
most recent version of Word either, but I'm sure if things had improved, I'd 
have heard about it through the grapevine.

Nadine


--- On Thu, 4/9/09, Martinek, Carla cmarti...@zebra.com wrote:

 I can make it work in Word, but I can guarantee it will take more time as you 
 are continually fixing things that shouldn't have had issues to start with. 
 I estimate that Word docs take 25-30% longer just because of the inherent 
 issues.
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Re: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[quills]

I have used Word 2007. They tried to fix what wasn't broken. And no, 
they didn't fix either the numbering system or multi-file operations. 
It's still oriented toward smaller documents with less complexity.

I also would avoid it for any XML work. My preference, but their past 
history of munging HTML files in export doesn't inspire trust.

Their new GUI isn't intuitive, The use of icons isn't effective as they 
don't describe all things for all people. There is a very steep learning 
curve, and a lot of frustration. Since they don't use menus you can't 
refer to things easily for keyboard access to dialogs. You basically 
have to find MS's own help listing of keyboard equivalents, and then 
memorize them. It's not user friendly.

Scott

Writer wrote:
 I have to agree with Carla on this point. Although, I'm tempted to amend her 
 statement to say it would take AT LEAST 25-30% longer. I haven't used the 
 most recent version of Word either, but I'm sure if things had improved, I'd 
 have heard about it through the grapevine.

 Nadine


 --- On Thu, 4/9/09, Martinek, Carla cmarti...@zebra.com wrote:

   
 I can make it work in Word, but I can guarantee it will take more time as 
 you are continually fixing things that shouldn't have had issues to start 
 with. I estimate that Word docs take 25-30% longer just because of the 
 inherent issues.
 
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Re: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[quills]

Another thought.

You can use Notepad to program in various languages, but why would you 
want to? You are missing so many effective and time-saving tools.

Are you producing PDF files? If so, using Word removes a boat load of 
time-saving automatic tools for indexing, hypertext linking, and TOC 
generation, not to mention use of 3rd party tools that help you 
customize PDF production and end output.

Scott

Saunders, Ian wrote:
 Hi,

 I am a fanatical Frame user but it looks as though I am going to have to 
 convert my docs to Word (long story, but half my company's docs are written 
 using Word). I know this question comes up time after time, but most 
 responses refer to old reviews and comparisons (though probably the only ones 
 that exist on the web). 

 I work well and efficiently in Frame, and know exactly what it can and can't 
 do. I enjoy using it. I am scared that working in Word will be less 
 efficient, more frustrating, and that it will crash and screw up my documents.

 Can anyone provide or point me to an up to date comparison of Frame 8 or 9 vs 
 Word 2007 (or later?). I know this is hard because very few folks use both 
 tools extensively and know what each is capable of. Frame fans say that Word 
 sucks, and Word fans say it doesn't. Tit for tat. 

 Is Word's multifile functionality still broken? Does it produce hyperlinked 
 index entries by default. Does the latest Word have any serious problems or 
 deficiencies, and which Frame functionality will I miss that makes working in 
 Word harder or more time-comsuming.

 If I can present an argument that justifies sticking with Frame because of 
 cost-savings, I may yet be able to stave off its demise.

 Many thanks! 

 Ian Saunders 
 Syntellect Inc (UK)

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RE: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Kelly McDaniel]

As the writer states in this post:

It all comes down to this: 

FrameMaker is a very mature and solid product
that can handle structural complexity very well.

http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/2009/02/08/which-text-editor
-to-use-for-technical-writing-adobe-framemaker-or-microsoft-word/

An anecdote:

I have over 30 years in the tech trade and consider myself to be adept.
In my current position, I was assigned a new book authored in Word and
saved as an RTF to convert to FrameMaker. That was in September 2007. I
still occasionally discover some obscure, Microsoft-specific wonkiness
deeply embedded in my converted files.

You mention (... half my company's docs are written using Word). IMHO,
Word may be the correct authoring tool for many short documents. Word is
not, however, an appropriate authoring tool for sets of documentation
that may span many chapters, require periodic revisions, and be targeted
for production-quality end use...regards, Kelly.

-Original Message-
From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Saunders, Ian
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 2:27 AM
To: framers@lists.frameusers.com
Subject: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

Hi,

I am a fanatical Frame user but it looks as though I am going to have to
convert my docs to Word (long story, but half my company's docs are
written using Word). I know this question comes up time after time, but
most responses refer to old reviews and comparisons (though probably the
only ones that exist on the web). 

I work well and efficiently in Frame, and know exactly what it can and
can't do. I enjoy using it. I am scared that working in Word will be
less efficient, more frustrating, and that it will crash and screw up my
documents.

Can anyone provide or point me to an up to date comparison of Frame 8 or
9 vs Word 2007 (or later?). I know this is hard because very few folks
use both tools extensively and know what each is capable of. Frame fans
say that Word sucks, and Word fans say it doesn't. Tit for tat. 

Is Word's multifile functionality still broken? Does it produce
hyperlinked index entries by default. Does the latest Word have any
serious problems or deficiencies, and which Frame functionality will I
miss that makes working in Word harder or more time-comsuming.

If I can present an argument that justifies sticking with Frame because
of cost-savings, I may yet be able to stave off its demise.

Many thanks! 

Ian Saunders 
Syntellect Inc (UK)

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Thanks: Review Process for documents in HTML?

[Beierle, Cecily]

Thanks to Art Campbell and Richard Combs for your thoughtful replies and
suggestions.

 

We do have WebWorks make most of the HTML changes, such as font, color,
borders. We never did you page numbers in our cross-references, so we haven't
had a problem with that.

The no output setting is a good idea. I'll bring that up to our writing
team, to see if it could be useful, and we'll take a look at using condition
text for print-specific information. 

 

As I mentioned in a follow-up, one idea we have tried is to set up the HTML
project for the updated topics (or the entire manual) and provide both the
comment-enabled PDF and the link to the HTML, so that the content reviewers
can see the big picture as well as the details in the PDF (or the both the
forest and the trees). It's a learning experience for everyone.

 

 

Cecily Beierle

Technical Writer

IT Customer Care

TCF National Bank

Minneapolis, Minnesota

cbeie...@tcfbank.com mailto:cbeie...@tcfbank.com 

 



Email Disclaimer

 

Information contained in this e-mail transmission is the property of TCF and
is intended for the named recipient.  If you are not the intended recipient,
do not read, distribute, or reproduce this transmission.  If you have
received this e-mail transmission in error, please contact the sender. 

 

Disclaimer Regarding Uniform Electronic Transmissions Act (UETA) and Federal
E-Sign (E-SIGN) Law:  This communication is for discussion purposes only, and
it does not create a contract or legally binding agreement.  The UETA and
E-SIGN do not apply to this communication.  We only contract with manually
affixed original signatures on the original paper contracts.

 

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RE: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Jon Harvey]

I don't use the latest version of Word but Word 2003 had a pretty good,
and reliable autonumbering method. Unfortunately, you had to know how to
fumble through the poorly designed interface and even more poorly
documented method for setting it up. I used it to successfully create a
numbering scheme that was six levels deep (X.X.X.X.X.X) with figures and
tables in a guide that was more than 150 pages. I was also able to
revise the guide and the numbering would automatically update for me.

I'll be the first on this list to say that Microsoft's approach to
autonumbering is absolutely screwy; but, at least it did work in Word
2003.

 
Jon Harvey
Manager, Desktop Documentation
CambridgeSoft Corporation
100 CambridgePark Drive
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 588-9354
-Original Message-
From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of
qui...@airmail.net
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 1:22 PM
To: generic...@yahoo.ca
Cc: framers@lists.frameusers.com; Martinek, Carla; Saunders, Ian
Subject: Re: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

I have used Word 2007. They tried to fix what wasn't broken. And no, 
they didn't fix either the numbering system or multi-file operations. 
It's still oriented toward smaller documents with less complexity.

I also would avoid it for any XML work. My preference, but their past 
history of munging HTML files in export doesn't inspire trust.

Their new GUI isn't intuitive, The use of icons isn't effective as they 
don't describe all things for all people. There is a very steep learning

curve, and a lot of frustration. Since they don't use menus you can't 
refer to things easily for keyboard access to dialogs. You basically 
have to find MS's own help listing of keyboard equivalents, and then 
memorize them. It's not user friendly.

Scott

Writer wrote:
 I have to agree with Carla on this point. Although, I'm tempted to
amend her statement to say it would take AT LEAST 25-30% longer. I
haven't used the most recent version of Word either, but I'm sure if
things had improved, I'd have heard about it through the grapevine.

 Nadine


 --- On Thu, 4/9/09, Martinek, Carla cmarti...@zebra.com wrote:

   
 I can make it work in Word, but I can guarantee it will take more
time as you are continually fixing things that shouldn't have had
issues to start with. I estimate that Word docs take 25-30% longer just
because of the inherent issues.
 
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searching for article in front of a variable

[Laurie Little]

Frame 7.2
I have a variable (government ministry of health shortform) that affects the
article in front of it. Each province has a different shortform. When I
change the variable, the article may be affected.

For example, in the Ontario doc, it's an MOH bill, while in New Brunswick,
it should be a DHW bill.

Is there any way to search for a var name or an var name, or do I
have to just search for all instances of that variable to check the article
in front of it?

Thanks,


Laurie Little
Words That Work
www.words-tw.com


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RE: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Spectrum Writing]

I also agree. I have a client, that despite everything I have ever
demonstrated, tabulated, kept track of, etc. is insistent that I do all
original development in Word and yep, I have shown/demonstrated
unequivocally that things can take up to 30% longer to accomplish. Many,
many times, I fix A don't even touch B and go in after the fix to find
now that B is totally hosed for no apparent reason other than Word felt
like crashing/mucking up again. I know more workarounds in Word to force it
to do what I need/want than actually know how to use it the way it is
supposed to work and that's a big supposed. 

As for 2007 - I agree about how non-intuitive the ribbons are, which just
adds to the time. Finding a command that was once one click, maybe two
clicks at most is now three to four, if it's even where you would expect to
find it, is the norm with this blasted ribbon.

My two cents worth,

TVB



Tammy Van Boening
Owner/Principal
Spectrum Writing, LLC
www.spectrumwritingllc.com

-Original Message-
From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Writer
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 11:09 AM
To: Saunders, Ian; framers@lists.frameusers.com; Martinek, Carla
Subject: RE: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame


I have to agree with Carla on this point. Although, I'm tempted to amend her
statement to say it would take AT LEAST 25-30% longer. I haven't used the
most recent version of Word either, but I'm sure if things had improved, I'd
have heard about it through the grapevine.

Nadine


--- On Thu, 4/9/09, Martinek, Carla cmarti...@zebra.com wrote:

 I can make it work in Word, but I can guarantee it will take more time as
you are continually fixing things that shouldn't have had issues to start
with. I estimate that Word docs take 25-30% longer just because of the
inherent issues.
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Import MS Word index markers into Framemaker?

[Leonard Anderson]

[also posted to comp.text.frame on Usenet, which seems to be very inactive]

Hi all,

I need to import a book, created using MS Word, into Framemaker.
Mostly this works fine, but there are problems importing the index
markers created by the author using Word. Importing simple markers
goes fine, but I have the problems listed below. (The first of these
is the most serious problem.)

1. Range index markers (e.g., some item, pages 12-17) created using
Word's facility to create a range index based on a bookmark, don't
import correctly. The problem is that when I create the index in FM,
all that is created is a single page reference (looks like it
corresponds to the actual page where the index marker was placed in
Word), rather than a range reference. Is there a way to import MS Word
range index markers into FM?

2. In some of the MS Word index entries, fonts and italicization are
applied to the index entry text. (In MS Word, I mean that the text
some_term in an index entry of the form { some_term } may be,
e.g., italicized, or be set in a monospace font. When Word creates an
index from these markers, the font and italicization are preserved in
the index, but when the document is imported in FM, these text
attributes are lost when FM creates the index.  Is there a way of
getting FM to preserve these text attributes of the index during an
import?

3. In some of the MS Word index entries, boldfacing and italicization
are applied to the page numbering format. (In MS Word, I mean that the
index entry has, e.g., the form { some_term \b } or { some_term \b
\i }. When Word creates an index from these markers, the page numbers
are italicized and/or boldfaced, but when the document is imported in
FM, these formatting attributes are lost when FM creates the index. Is
there a way of getting FM to preserve these formatting attributes of
the index page numbers during an import?

Software versions: MS Word 2000, Framemaker 7.2.

Can anyone help with these problems, especially the first?

Thanks.
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Re: Technical Writing Certificate

[Kristen Abbott]

Seawin22,

I don't know where you live, but I got a TW certificate from Middlesex
Community College in Bedford, MA, in 1999. It's an excellent, very
highly-rated program. I landed a job at (then) Compaq right away, stayed
there for 5 years (through the HP merger/acquisition), moved on to a
couple of contracting gigs, then another full-time, direct position at
my current company. It has served me extremely well. Absolutely the best
career move I ever made.

If you are in the Mass./So. NH area, check out:
http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/careertraining/certificates/writingtechinf
o.htm


-Kristen Abbott

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Re: Using the FDK to manipulate Graphics in FrameMaker 7x...

[Jeremy H. Griffith]

On Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:30:12 -0400, Dan Glover dglo...@opnet.com wrote:

We're trying to use the FDK to get at the contents of graphics in a 
document.  The graphics are pasted in the document, and have a facet 
type of OLE2.  

We do that in Mif2Go, but not in the FDK plugin.  We do it
while processing the MIF.  From Frame's FDK, a facet is an
opaque container.  But in MIF, you can see them all.

Unfortunately, the FDK docs don't give much 
information about facets.  I can get data out of a facet if I know 
its name.  For example, F_ApiGetUBytesByName() uses the docId and 
objId for the graphic object, and then the facet name to get the 
given data.  I manage to use OLE2 for a facet name, and that works 
for FrameMaker 7.2.  But it doesn't work for FrameMaker 7.0!  The FDK 
docs don't describe facet names anywhere, and I have no way to know 
why it works for one version and not another.  I can only assume that 
OLE2 wasn't supported in 7.0???  I tried OLE2, OLE1, and OLE with no 
luck.  I can get TIFF and DIB facets out of 7.0, though.

An OLE facet is really a little file system, using a
proprietary and undocumented Microsoft file system.
We reverse-engineered it before that became illegal
under the DMCA.  It was a long, nasty job.

The only Frame docs I know of on facets are in the
Integrating Applications with FrameMaker book
published by Frame Tech in December 1989.  Print
only.  I believe Adobe discontinued it.

A related issue...  I want to extract the bitmap representation of 
the OLE image, and create a separate file without the OLE 
information.  But since I have no idea what the facet data looks 
like, I don't know what to save to the file and what to throw 
away.  Is there any way to learn about what's actually inside an image facet?

An OLE facet contains several files in its system, and
at least one of them is WMF, used to provide the display
you see in Frame when you are not editing the object.
We scan the files and try to identify the correct WMF
(there may be several); as an option, we'll write out
*all* the WMFs we see in there.

There's one case where it's very simple, discovered by a 
customer of ours: Visio.  It turns out that Visio uses the
OLE format as its own native file type.  So if you export
the OLE facets with Mif2Go (which can be done using the
free demo version), you can rename them form .ole to .vsd
and they will work.

Thanks for any info or experiences...

HTH!

-- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
  jer...@omsys.com  http://www.omsys.com/
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Re: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[quills]

Your millage may vary.

I found that I could get it to work, but it would blow up, either on me 
at a future date, or on someone else when they opened the file, and I 
would have to go and fix it.

Scott

Jon Harvey wrote:
 I don't use the latest version of Word but Word 2003 had a pretty good,
 and reliable autonumbering method. Unfortunately, you had to know how to
 fumble through the poorly designed interface and even more poorly
 documented method for setting it up. I used it to successfully create a
 numbering scheme that was six levels deep (X.X.X.X.X.X) with figures and
 tables in a guide that was more than 150 pages. I was also able to
 revise the guide and the numbering would automatically update for me.

 I'll be the first on this list to say that Microsoft's approach to
 autonumbering is absolutely screwy; but, at least it did work in Word
 2003.

  
 Jon Harvey
 Manager, Desktop Documentation
 CambridgeSoft Corporation
 100 CambridgePark Drive
 Cambridge, MA 02140
 (617) 588-9354
 -Original Message-
 From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com
 [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of
 qui...@airmail.net
 Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 1:22 PM
 To: generic...@yahoo.ca
 Cc: framers@lists.frameusers.com; Martinek, Carla; Saunders, Ian
 Subject: Re: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

 I have used Word 2007. They tried to fix what wasn't broken. And no, 
 they didn't fix either the numbering system or multi-file operations. 
 It's still oriented toward smaller documents with less complexity.

 I also would avoid it for any XML work. My preference, but their past 
 history of munging HTML files in export doesn't inspire trust.

 Their new GUI isn't intuitive, The use of icons isn't effective as they 
 don't describe all things for all people. There is a very steep learning

 curve, and a lot of frustration. Since they don't use menus you can't 
 refer to things easily for keyboard access to dialogs. You basically 
 have to find MS's own help listing of keyboard equivalents, and then 
 memorize them. It's not user friendly.

 Scott

   

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Re: searching for article in front of a variable

[Art Campbell]

Speaking as someone who runs FrameScripts rather than someone who
writes them, I think it could be done with a 'script.

Art

Art Campbell
art.campb...@gmail.com
  ... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52
Vincent and a redheaded girl. -- Richard Thompson
  No disclaimers apply.
   DoD 358



On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 1:33 PM, Laurie Little llit...@words-tw.com wrote:
 Frame 7.2
 I have a variable (government ministry of health shortform) that affects the
 article in front of it. Each province has a different shortform. When I
 change the variable, the article may be affected.

 For example, in the Ontario doc, it's an MOH bill, while in New Brunswick,
 it should be a DHW bill.

 Is there any way to search for a var name or an var name, or do I
 have to just search for all instances of that variable to check the article
 in front of it?

 Thanks,

 
 Laurie Little
 Words That Work
 www.words-tw.com


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2 questions about structured FM and RH

[Diane Gaskill]

Hi Framers,

We are single-sourcing with TCS 1.0, using Structured FrameMaker 8, RoboHelp 7, 
and DocBook 1.4.2. The writers need to be able to designate related topic links 
for a topic. They also need to designate expanding text in the FM files so that 
it appears correctly when it is output through RoboHelp to a help system. 
 
Since we are single sourcing, we don't want to set up these functions in RH, 
but we are having problems getting them to work in FM.  So, I have a couple of 
questions.
 
   Is there way to set up expanding text in FM so that it appears correctly as 
DHTML expanding text in RoboHelp?
 
   Is there a SFM mechanism for designating a list of related topics so that 
they appear correctly in RoboHelp? 

Thanks,
Diane Gaskill
Hitachi Data Systems

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Re: URGENT_Images and DPI

[Diane Gaskill]

Susan,

You need to resize the screenshot outside of FM. FM does not maintain DPI 
settings when you scale a graphic to fit within a frame.  It's one or the 
other.  I don't use Snagit so I do not know if you can do it with that tool.  I 
do knokw that you can do this in Paintshop Pro because that is the tool I use.

Hope this helps.
Diane Gaskill


-Original Message-
From: Susan Curtzwiler susa...@vmc.com
Sent: Apr 9, 2009 8:06 AM
To: framers@lists.frameusers.com
Subject: URGENT_Images and DPI 

Hi All, 
 
Software:  FrameMaker 7.0  on Vista Enterprise.  SnagIt 9 in .PNG format - 
required by management. 
Audience:  Technicians in a data center - they will be using a standard 
laptop.  This is for a runbook, mostly will be viewed on screen, limited 
printed copies in black only.
 
I need some really quick help with how to best use the DPI settings to import 
screen captures by reference.  
 
I have some wide screen captures that will not fit into the anchored frame and 
retain clarity. 
 
If I use the 96 DPI, I can get the area being emphasized, but not enough 
surrounding area to have landmarks for the user. 
 
The larger screen captures, about 4x6, are even more difficult.  If I use the 
150 DPI, it goes in the anchored frame, but again the text quality is not very 
good. 
 
Any input will be great.   I will be working with the FM scaling tool and see 
if I can get satisfactory results. 
 
Thanks,
Sue Curtzwiler 
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RE: URGENT_Images and DPI

[Combs, Richard]

Susan Curtzwiler wrote:
 
 I need some really quick help with how to best use the DPI settings to
 import screen captures by reference.
 
 I have some wide screen captures that will not fit into the anchored
 frame and retain clarity.
 
 If I use the 96 DPI, I can get the area being emphasized, but not
 enough surrounding area to have landmarks for the user.
 
 The larger screen captures, about 4x6, are even more difficult.  If I
 use the 150 DPI, it goes in the anchored frame, but again the text
 quality is not very good.

What format are they saved in? If it's JPEG, that's part of your
problem. JPEG is optimal for photos, but a poor choice for screen shots,
and often results in blurry text. Switch to PNG. 

If these screen captures are from a Windows machine, 96 dpi should be
approximately life-size and 150 dpi should be easily readable. I
routinely used 180 dpi for screen shots of an application window about
900 x 500 pixels, making them about 5 wide in the doc. When you say
4x6, are you talking inches? You should be able to insert those into an
8.5 x 11 page life-size or nearly so, and if they're decent quality,
they should be as sharp and clear as the original window from which
they're captured. 

You refer to _the_ anchored frame as if it was a given. Can't you use a
larger frame? If necessary, you can rotate the screen shot so its width
can be nearly the height of your text frame (although you shouldn't need
to unless I'm misunderstanding the sizes you're working with or these
screens use really tiny type).

BTW, to maintain the quality of a bitmap graphic, resist the urge to
make it larger or smaller with the mouse. Resize it only by changing the
dpi (best) or setting a round-number scaling percentage (both in the
Object Properties dialog). 

HTH!
Richard

Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
--
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
--


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Framescript to remove all images (but leave the AFrames) SOLVED

[Yves Barbion]

Hi Klaus

Thank you very much. It works great!

IOU.

Cheers

-- 
Yves Barbion ? Managing Director ? Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor
www.scripto.nu  ? skype: yves.barbion  ? T: +32 494 12 01 89



On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 7:54 PM, Klaus Mueller  wrote:

> Hello Yves,
>
> > Does anyone have a Framescript he/she wishes to
> > share which removes all images from the frames,
> > but which also leaves the AFrames intact?
>
> Find attached the script RemoveGraphicInsets.fsl
> that removes all copied graphics from the current
> document.
> Optionally it deletes also referenced graphics.
> (-> Set gvRemoveReferencedGraphics = True;)
>
> Kind regards,
> Klaus
>
>
> snip  8< - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
> //-- Removes graphics from the current doc.
> //-- v0.1, 2009-04-08
> //-- Klaus M?ller, itl AG
>
> //-- Remove not only copied insets,
> //-- but also referenced graphics:
> Set gvRemoveReferencedGraphics = False;
>
> Set gvDoc = ActiveDoc;
> If (not gvDoc) LeaveSub; EndIf
>
> //-- Collect graphic insets:
> New IntList NewVar(lvInsetObjList);
> Set lvGraphic = gvDoc.FirstGraphicInDoc;
> Loop While(lvGraphic)
>  If (lvGraphic.ObjectName = 'Inset')
>If (lvGraphic.InsetFile = '' or gvRemoveReferencedGraphics)
>  New Integer Value(lvGraphic) NewVar(lvInt);
>  Add Member(lvInt) To(lvInsetObjList);
>EndIf
>  EndIf
>  Set lvGraphic = lvGraphic.NextGraphicInDoc;
> EndLoop
>
> //-- No graphics ...
> If (lvInsetObjList.Count = 0)
>  If (gvRemoveReferencedGraphics)
>Display 'No graphics found.';
>  Else
>Display 'No copied graphics found.';
>  EndIf
>  LeaveSub;
> EndIf
>
> //-- Really?
> MsgBox 'Remove '+lvInsetObjList.Count+' graphics '+
>  'from the current document?' Button(lvButton) Mode(YesNo);
> If (lvButton = NoButton) LeaveSub; EndIf
>
> //-- Delete graphics:
> Loop While(lvi <= lvInsetObjList.Count) LoopVar(lvi) InitVal(1) Incr(1)
>  Get Member Number(lvi) From(lvInsetObjList) NewVar(lvInt);
>  New Object IntValue(lvInt) DocObject(gvDoc) NewVar(lvGraphic);
>  Delete Object(lvGraphic);
> EndLoop
>
> snip  8< - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
>
>
> //-- Removes graphics from the current doc.
> //-- v0.1, 2009-04-08
> //-- Klaus M?ller, itl AG
>
> //-- Remove not only copied insets,
> //-- but also referenced graphics:
> Set gvRemoveReferencedGraphics = False;
>
> Set gvDoc = ActiveDoc;
> If (not gvDoc) LeaveSub; EndIf
>
> //-- Collect graphic insets:
> New IntList NewVar(lvInsetObjList);
> Set lvGraphic = gvDoc.FirstGraphicInDoc;
> Loop While(lvGraphic)
>  If (lvGraphic.ObjectName = 'Inset')
>If (lvGraphic.InsetFile = '' or gvRemoveReferencedGraphics)
>  New Integer Value(lvGraphic) NewVar(lvInt);
>  Add Member(lvInt) To(lvInsetObjList);
>EndIf
>  EndIf
>  Set lvGraphic = lvGraphic.NextGraphicInDoc;
> EndLoop
>
> //-- No graphics ...
> If (lvInsetObjList.Count = 0)
>  If (gvRemoveReferencedGraphics)
>Display 'No graphics found.';
>  Else
>Display 'No copied graphics found.';
>  EndIf
>  LeaveSub;
> EndIf
>
> //-- Really?
> MsgBox 'Remove '+lvInsetObjList.Count+' graphics '+
>  'from the current document?' Button(lvButton) Mode(YesNo);
> If (lvButton = NoButton) LeaveSub; EndIf
>
> //-- Delete graphics:
> Loop While(lvi <= lvInsetObjList.Count) LoopVar(lvi) InitVal(1) Incr(1)
>  Get Member Number(lvi) From(lvInsetObjList) NewVar(lvInt);
>  New Object IntValue(lvInt) DocObject(gvDoc) NewVar(lvGraphic);
>  Delete Object(lvGraphic);
> EndLoop
>
>

Framescript to remove all images (but leave the AFrames)

[Yves Barbion]

Hi Jeremy

Thank you for your help, but I'm afraid I cannot use MIF2Go for this job.
This is what I read in the MIF2Go Help:

"If your document contains many images that were imported into FrameMaker by
copying instead of by reference, and these embedded images have not been
embellished in FrameMaker with callouts or other added features, you might
want to consider replacing them with referenced graphics."

Well, the images have been "embellished" (I like the word) with callouts...
in Word ;-( And it's even worse, because the images have also been cropped
in Word and the pictures have been taken at a ridiculously high resolution
for their purpose: 10 x 15 inches @ 300 dpi, where their actual size in the
FM document should be 2.5 x 1.5 inches and 150 dpi should be more than
enough for PDF and laser print output.

Cheers

Yves


On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 1:35 AM, Jeremy H. Griffith  wrote:

> On Wed, 8 Apr 2009 18:25:00 +0200, Yves Barbion 
> wrote:
>
> >I've got a HUGE FrameMaker-file (880 MB!) which I converted from Word. Of
> >course, all images are "copied into document", which is the reason why
> it's
> >so big.
> >
> >Does anyone have a Framescript he/she wishes to share which removes all
> >images from the frames, but which also leaves the AFrames intact?
>
> Hi Yves!  You already have a tool that does this, Mif2Go.  ;-)
>
> Set it to export all graphics, per User's Guide par. 2.5.3,
> "Replacing embedded graphics with referenced graphics".
> Then go through the doc in Frame; as you come to each
> graphic, select it (the image, *not* the anchored frame),
> identify the appropriate exported image (which is in the
> original format it had when imported), and File > Import.
> You won't have to fix your scaling or anything else.
>
> BTW, for others with this issue, it also works fine
> in the demo version; you don't need to buy a copy of
> Mif2Go to use it for this purpose.
>
> HTH!
>
> -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
>http://www.omsys.com/
>



-- 
Yves Barbion ? Managing Director ? Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor
www.scripto.nu  ? skype: yves.barbion  ? T: +32 494 12 01 89

Framescript to remove all images (but leave the AFrames)

[Jeremy H. Griffith]

On Thu, 9 Apr 2009 08:35:02 +0200, Yves Barbion  
wrote:

>Thank you for your help, but I'm afraid I cannot use MIF2Go for this job.
>This is what I read in the MIF2Go Help:
>
>"If your document contains many images that were imported into FrameMaker by
>copying instead of by reference, and these embedded images have not been
>embellished in FrameMaker with callouts or other added features, you might
>want to consider replacing them with referenced graphics."

Actually, that "embellished" part is not a reason to keep the
graphics embedded; you can use callouts with referenced graphics
exactly the same as with embedded, and the process I suggested 
will work fine with them.  The comment in the User's Guide is
related to a different issue, one that's not relevant here.

>Well, the images have been "embellished" (I like the word) with callouts...
>in Word ;-( And it's even worse, because the images have also been cropped
>in Word and the pictures have been taken at a ridiculously high resolution
>for their purpose: 10 x 15 inches @ 300 dpi, where their actual size in the
>FM document should be 2.5 x 1.5 inches and 150 dpi should be more than
>enough for PDF and laser print output.

None of that matters at all.  Have you actually *tried* the
process I suggested?  If you leave the embedded images in
place until you select and replace them with the referenced
copies Mif2Go makes for you, the referenced graphics will
have *exactly* the same settings as the embedded ones do.
You will not see any visible difference at all.  But your
Frame file will be a lot smaller, and more stable.

HTH!

-- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
http://www.omsys.com/

¿Is there a substitute for MicroType TimeSavers?

[Stamm, David-P45904]

2009-04-09-04T11:30Z

My apologies to you, Shlomo, but I have to ask.

FrameMaker 7.1p116
Acrobat  Professional 8.1.3

As they might say in New York, "Not for nothing, but . . .."

?Is there a substitute for TimeSavers?

?If yes, what?

?Thanks in advance for your prompt responses!

Dave Stamm
Publications Specialist, Senior Staff
General Dynamics C4 Systems, Inc.
Battle Management Systems Division
1700 Magnavox Way, Suite 200
Fort Wayne, Indiana  46804-1552
US
tel:  260-434-9620
fax:  260.434.9606
dave.stamm at gdc4s.com
http://www.gdc4s.com/

This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may 
contain GDC4S confidential or privileged information.  Any unauthorized review, 
use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited.  If you are not an intended 
recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of 
the original message.

Framescript to remove all images (but leave the AFrames)

[Yves Barbion]

Hi Jeremy

I see that this is very difficult to explain via e-mail: we seem to
misunderstand each other here.

I'll try again:

1. I have a big Word file (+600 MB) which needs to be converted to
FrameMaker. In the Word file, the pictures have been imported "copied into
document", cropped, the resolution of the pictures is way too high and some
pictures have callouts placed on top of them.

2. I open the Word file in FrameMaker and I see the following:

   - The size of my FrameMaker file is now +870 MB because, of course, the
   images are still copied into doc.
   - The cropping info is not maintained.
   - The callouts are gone, distorted, or not where they were in the Word
   file.

Yes, I  have tried the process you suggested, at least for the images which
did not have any callouts or cropping.

You suggested: "Then go through the doc in Frame; as you come to each
graphic, select it (the image, *not* the anchored frame),
identify the appropriate exported image (which is in the
original format it had when imported), and File > Import."

When I select an image (not the AFrame) and then choose File > Import >
File, however, I get the message "Cannot specify a dpi setting for the
selected graphic object" (as expected).

And yes, I know that referenced graphics are recommended in most cases.

Anyway, I have removed all the embedded graphics in the meantime (using
Klaus Mueller's Framescript - thanks again, Klaus). No need to worry about
this anymore (and the size of the FM file is now 1.7 MB instead of +870!

Cheers

-- 
Yves Barbion ? Managing Director ? Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor
www.scripto.nu  ? skype: yves.barbion  ? T: +32 494 12 01 89


On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 9:24 AM, Jeremy H. Griffith  wrote:

> On Thu, 9 Apr 2009 08:35:02 +0200, Yves Barbion 
> wrote:
>
> >Thank you for your help, but I'm afraid I cannot use MIF2Go for this job.
> >This is what I read in the MIF2Go Help:
> >
> >"If your document contains many images that were imported into FrameMaker
> by
> >copying instead of by reference, and these embedded images have not been
> >embellished in FrameMaker with callouts or other added features, you might
> >want to consider replacing them with referenced graphics."
>
> Actually, that "embellished" part is not a reason to keep the
> graphics embedded; you can use callouts with referenced graphics
> exactly the same as with embedded, and the process I suggested
> will work fine with them.  The comment in the User's Guide is
> related to a different issue, one that's not relevant here.
>
> >Well, the images have been "embellished" (I like the word) with
> callouts...
> >in Word ;-( And it's even worse, because the images have also been cropped
> >in Word and the pictures have been taken at a ridiculously high resolution
> >for their purpose: 10 x 15 inches @ 300 dpi, where their actual size in
> the
> >FM document should be 2.5 x 1.5 inches and 150 dpi should be more than
> >enough for PDF and laser print output.
>
> None of that matters at all.  Have you actually *tried* the
> process I suggested?  If you leave the embedded images in
> place until you select and replace them with the referenced
> copies Mif2Go makes for you, the referenced graphics will
> have *exactly* the same settings as the embedded ones do.
> You will not see any visible difference at all.  But your
> Frame file will be a lot smaller, and more stable.
>
> HTH!
>
> -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
>http://www.omsys.com/
>

Request for review of FrameMaker 9

[Steve Rickaby]

The ISTC (UK version of the STC) would like to solicit a review of FrameMaker 
9, if anyone is interested. No payment is involved, but you will get your 
name/company name in front of a large audience in the UK, US and Europe.
-- 
Steve Rickaby  

WordMongers Ltd
Registered office Larks Cottage, Treen, St Levan, Penzance TR19 6LG
Registered in the UK, company number 3130681, VAT reg no GB 557 4598 91
Telephone/fax: 01 736 81

Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Saunders, Ian]

Hi,

I am a fanatical Frame user but it looks as though I am going to have to 
convert my docs to Word (long story, but half my company's docs are written 
using Word). I know this question comes up time after time, but most responses 
refer to old reviews and comparisons (though probably the only ones that exist 
on the web). 

I work well and efficiently in Frame, and know exactly what it can and can't 
do. I enjoy using it. I am scared that working in Word will be less efficient, 
more frustrating, and that it will crash and screw up my documents.

Can anyone provide or point me to an up to date comparison of Frame 8 or 9 vs 
Word 2007 (or later?). I know this is hard because very few folks use both 
tools extensively and know what each is capable of. Frame fans say that Word 
sucks, and Word fans say it doesn't. Tit for tat. 

Is Word's multifile functionality still broken? Does it produce hyperlinked 
index entries by default. Does the latest Word have any serious problems or 
deficiencies, and which Frame functionality will I miss that makes working in 
Word harder or more time-comsuming.

If I can present an argument that justifies sticking with Frame because of 
cost-savings, I may yet be able to stave off its demise.

Many thanks! 

Ian Saunders 
Syntellect Inc (UK)

Newbie question on ledger-sized pages

[Eva Whitley]

We are using Framemaker 8 (unstructured) to revise a manual and I want 
to do something I know how to do in Word but can't figure out how to do 
in Frame.

The chapter I'm working on has about 100 pages of standard 8 1/2 x 11 
text and graphics followed by 27 different ledger-sized (11x17) 
diagrams. Right now we have the graphics shrunk down and rotated 
sideways, but our SMEs are complaining they are too small to read. 
What's the best way people have found to integrate large diagrams in to 
a manual? I tried doing it as a separate chapter in the book, but even 
though I open both chapters, the cross-references are showing as 
unresolved. In Word I'd put in a section break, change the page size, 
and tweak the headers and footers but (since I have had very little 
training in Frame) I have no clue how to do this in Frame.

Help me Framemaker mavens, you're my only hope.

-- 
Eva Whitley, ETOSS Contract
301-713-1833x191
SSMC-2, 16129

URGENT_Images and DPI

[Susan Curtzwiler]

Hi All, 

Software:  FrameMaker 7.0  on Vista Enterprise.  SnagIt 9 in .PNG format - 
required by management. 
Audience:  Technicians in a data center - they will be using a standard laptop. 
 This is for a runbook, mostly will be viewed on screen, limited printed copies 
in black only.

I need some really quick help with how to best use the DPI settings to import 
screen captures by reference.  

I have some wide screen captures that will not fit into the anchored frame and 
retain clarity. 

If I use the 96 DPI, I can get the area being emphasized, but not enough 
surrounding area to have landmarks for the user. 

The larger screen captures, about 4x6, are even more difficult.  If I use the 
150 DPI, it goes in the anchored frame, but again the text quality is not very 
good. 

Any input will be great.   I will be working with the FM scaling tool and see 
if I can get satisfactory results. 

Thanks,
Sue Curtzwiler 

URGENT_Images and DPI

[Art Campbell]

Susan,
What is your output format? Print, PDF, HTML, something else?
And for the wider shots, are you using the full text container width
(sidehead and column), or staying within the column?

Art Campbell
   art.campbell at gmail.com
  "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52
Vincent and a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson
  No disclaimers apply.
   DoD 358



On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 11:06 AM, Susan Curtzwiler  wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Software: ?FrameMaker 7.0 ?on Vista Enterprise. ?SnagIt 9 in .PNG format - 
> required by management.
> Audience: ?Technicians in a data center - they will be using a standard 
> laptop. ?This is for a runbook, mostly will be viewed on screen, limited 
> printed copies in black only.
>
> I need some really quick help with how to best use the DPI settings to import 
> screen captures by reference.
>
> I have some wide screen captures that will not fit into the anchored frame 
> and retain clarity.
>
> If I use the 96 DPI, I can get the area being emphasized, but not enough 
> surrounding area to have landmarks for the user.
>
> The larger screen captures, about 4x6, are even more difficult. ?If I use the 
> 150 DPI, it goes in the anchored frame, but again the text quality is not 
> very good.
>
> Any input will be great. ? I will be working with the FM scaling tool and see 
> if I can get satisfactory results.
>
> Thanks,
> Sue Curtzwiler
> ___
>
>
> You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campbell at gmail.com.
>
> Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com.
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com
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>
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> http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
>

Newbie question on ledger-sized pages

[Art Campbell]

You're using the correct approach, using two files in a book (separate
chapters aren't required -- just two files, which can be set up as a
single chapter). However, your problem seems to be resolving the
cross-refs, not starting over with a new approach.

Are both files in a book? Why can't you just resolve the cross-refs,
save, and go on?

Art

Art Campbell
   art.campbell at gmail.com
  "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52
Vincent and a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson
  No disclaimers apply.
   DoD 358



On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 10:19 AM, Eva Whitley  wrote:
> We are using Framemaker 8 (unstructured) to revise a manual and I want
> to do something I know how to do in Word but can't figure out how to do
> in Frame.
>
> The chapter I'm working on has about 100 pages of standard 8 1/2 x 11
> text and graphics followed by 27 different ledger-sized (11x17)
> diagrams. Right now we have the graphics shrunk down and rotated
> sideways, but our SMEs are complaining they are too small to read.
> What's the best way people have found to integrate large diagrams in to
> a manual? I tried doing it as a separate chapter in the book, but even
> though I open both chapters, the cross-references are showing as
> unresolved. In Word I'd put in a section break, change the page size,
> and tweak the headers and footers but (since I have had very little
> training in Frame) I have no clue how to do this in Frame.
>
> Help me Framemaker mavens, you're my only hope.
>
> --
> Eva Whitley, ETOSS Contract
> 301-713-1833x191
> SSMC-2, 16129
>
> ___
>
>
> You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campbell at gmail.com.
>
> Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com.
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com
> or visit 
> http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/art.campbell%40gmail.com
>
> Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit
> http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
>

Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Martinek, Carla]

You need to come up with a matrix of YOUR specific documentation
requirements, and work from that, as every comparison I'm aware of is
woefully out of date. You may want to start here for a list to work
from: 

http://www.adobe.com/products/framemaker/comparison.html

"Because everyone else in the company uses Word" is not a good reason to
switch, but if you have to share files/content with other writers, that
would be a valid reason. (If your content is in XML, Word claims to
handle XML just fine, so that negates the need to switch.)

Just like engineers and programmers, you need the correct tools to do
the job efficiently. Programmers can write code using MS Word, and
engineers can create graphics in MS Word's graphic window, but there are
better ways to do it, and they are provided the proper tools. Emphasize
that you are also a professional with specific requirements to complete
your job.

One thing that seems to have remained consistent with Word is its
...quirky... numbering capabilities. Every Word document I've ever had
to work in eventually has numbering issues (and I've worked in it since
back in the DOS days...) This is a REAL problem in technical
documentation, where you often have complex numbering schemes, such as
substeps, numbering for tables and figures, etc. I can make it work in
Word, but I can guarantee it will take more time as you are continually
"fixing" things that shouldn't have had issues to start with. I estimate
that Word docs take 25-30% longer just because of the inherent issues.
Maybe the new version is better, but the version we have here at work is
just as annoying as ever.

I remember an anecdotal comment on the list a while back about Microsoft
using FrameMaker to publish their printed Word User Guide...  not sure
if that's true, but if it is, that's rather telling in my mind that even
MS recognizes that Word is not suitable for long technical document
publishing.


-Carla

Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Writer]

I have to agree with Carla on this point. Although, I'm tempted to amend her 
statement to say "it would take AT LEAST 25-30% longer". I haven't used the 
most recent version of Word either, but I'm sure if things had improved, I'd 
have heard about it through the grapevine.

Nadine


--- On Thu, 4/9/09, Martinek, Carla  wrote:

> I can make it work in Word, but I can guarantee it will take more time as you 
> are continually "fixing" things that shouldn't have had issues to start with. 
> I estimate that Word docs take 25-30% longer just because of the inherent 
> issues.

Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[qui...@airmail.net]

I have used Word 2007. They tried to fix what wasn't broken. And no, 
they didn't fix either the numbering system or multi-file operations. 
It's still oriented toward smaller documents with less complexity.

I also would avoid it for any XML work. My preference, but their past 
history of munging HTML files in export doesn't inspire trust.

Their new GUI isn't intuitive, The use of icons isn't effective as they 
don't describe all things for all people. There is a very steep learning 
curve, and a lot of frustration. Since they don't use menus you can't 
refer to things easily for keyboard access to dialogs. You basically 
have to find MS's own help listing of keyboard equivalents, and then 
memorize them. It's not user friendly.

Scott

Writer wrote:
> I have to agree with Carla on this point. Although, I'm tempted to amend her 
> statement to say "it would take AT LEAST 25-30% longer". I haven't used the 
> most recent version of Word either, but I'm sure if things had improved, I'd 
> have heard about it through the grapevine.
>
> Nadine
>
>
> --- On Thu, 4/9/09, Martinek, Carla  wrote:
>
>   
>> I can make it work in Word, but I can guarantee it will take more time as 
>> you are continually "fixing" things that shouldn't have had issues to start 
>> with. I estimate that Word docs take 25-30% longer just because of the 
>> inherent issues.
>> 
> ___
>
>
> You are currently subscribed to Framers as quills at airmail.net.
>
> Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com.
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
> framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com
> or visit 
> http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/quills%40airmail.net
>
> Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit
> http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
>
>
>   

Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[qui...@airmail.net]

Another thought.

You can use Notepad to program in various languages, but why would you 
want to? You are missing so many effective and time-saving tools.

Are you producing PDF files? If so, using Word removes a boat load of 
time-saving automatic tools for indexing, hypertext linking, and TOC 
generation, not to mention use of 3rd party tools that help you 
customize PDF production and end output.

Scott

Saunders, Ian wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am a fanatical Frame user but it looks as though I am going to have to 
> convert my docs to Word (long story, but half my company's docs are written 
> using Word). I know this question comes up time after time, but most 
> responses refer to old reviews and comparisons (though probably the only ones 
> that exist on the web). 
>
> I work well and efficiently in Frame, and know exactly what it can and can't 
> do. I enjoy using it. I am scared that working in Word will be less 
> efficient, more frustrating, and that it will crash and screw up my documents.
>
> Can anyone provide or point me to an up to date comparison of Frame 8 or 9 vs 
> Word 2007 (or later?). I know this is hard because very few folks use both 
> tools extensively and know what each is capable of. Frame fans say that Word 
> sucks, and Word fans say it doesn't. Tit for tat. 
>
> Is Word's multifile functionality still broken? Does it produce hyperlinked 
> index entries by default. Does the latest Word have any serious problems or 
> deficiencies, and which Frame functionality will I miss that makes working in 
> Word harder or more time-comsuming.
>
> If I can present an argument that justifies sticking with Frame because of 
> cost-savings, I may yet be able to stave off its demise.
>
> Many thanks! 
>
> Ian Saunders 
> Syntellect Inc (UK)
>
> ___
>
>
> You are currently subscribed to Framers as quills at airmail.net.
>
> Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com.
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
> framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com
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>
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> http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
>
>
>   

Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Kelly McDaniel]

As the writer states in this post:

"It all comes down to this: 

FrameMaker is a very mature and solid product
that can handle structural complexity very well."

http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/2009/02/08/which-text-editor
-to-use-for-technical-writing-adobe-framemaker-or-microsoft-word/

An anecdote:

I have over 30 years in the tech trade and consider myself to be adept.
In my current position, I was assigned a new "book" authored in Word and
saved as an RTF to convert to FrameMaker. That was in September 2007. I
still occasionally discover some obscure, Microsoft-specific wonkiness
deeply embedded in my converted files.

You mention "(... half my company's docs are written using Word)." IMHO,
Word may be the correct authoring tool for many short documents. Word is
not, however, an appropriate authoring tool for sets of documentation
that may span many chapters, require periodic revisions, and be targeted
for production-quality end use...regards, Kelly.

-Original Message-
From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Saunders, Ian
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 2:27 AM
To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
Subject: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

Hi,

I am a fanatical Frame user but it looks as though I am going to have to
convert my docs to Word (long story, but half my company's docs are
written using Word). I know this question comes up time after time, but
most responses refer to old reviews and comparisons (though probably the
only ones that exist on the web). 

I work well and efficiently in Frame, and know exactly what it can and
can't do. I enjoy using it. I am scared that working in Word will be
less efficient, more frustrating, and that it will crash and screw up my
documents.

Can anyone provide or point me to an up to date comparison of Frame 8 or
9 vs Word 2007 (or later?). I know this is hard because very few folks
use both tools extensively and know what each is capable of. Frame fans
say that Word sucks, and Word fans say it doesn't. Tit for tat. 

Is Word's multifile functionality still broken? Does it produce
hyperlinked index entries by default. Does the latest Word have any
serious problems or deficiencies, and which Frame functionality will I
miss that makes working in Word harder or more time-comsuming.

If I can present an argument that justifies sticking with Frame because
of cost-savings, I may yet be able to stave off its demise.

Many thanks! 

Ian Saunders 
Syntellect Inc (UK)

___


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Thanks: Review Process for documents in HTML?

[Beierle, Cecily]

Thanks to Art Campbell and Richard Combs for your thoughtful replies and
suggestions.



We do have WebWorks make most of the HTML changes, such as font, color,
borders. We never did you page numbers in our cross-references, so we haven't
had a problem with that.

The "no output" setting is a good idea. I'll bring that up to our writing
team, to see if it could be useful, and we'll take a look at using condition
text for print-specific information. 



As I mentioned in a follow-up, one idea we have tried is to set up the HTML
project for the updated topics (or the entire manual) and provide both the
comment-enabled PDF and the link to the HTML, so that the content reviewers
can see the "big picture" as well as the details in the PDF (or the both the
forest and the trees). It's a learning experience for everyone.





Cecily Beierle

Technical Writer

IT Customer Care

TCF National Bank

Minneapolis, Minnesota

cbeierle at tcfbank.com  





Email Disclaimer



Information contained in this e-mail transmission is the property of TCF and
is intended for the named recipient.  If you are not the intended recipient,
do not read, distribute, or reproduce this transmission.  If you have
received this e-mail transmission in error, please contact the sender. 



Disclaimer Regarding Uniform Electronic Transmissions Act (UETA) and Federal
E-Sign (E-SIGN) Law:  This communication is for discussion purposes only, and
it does not create a contract or legally binding agreement.  The UETA and
E-SIGN do not apply to this communication.  We only contract with manually
affixed original signatures on the original paper contracts.

Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Jon Harvey]

I don't use the latest version of Word but Word 2003 had a pretty good,
and reliable autonumbering method. Unfortunately, you had to know how to
fumble through the poorly designed interface and even more poorly
documented method for setting it up. I used it to successfully create a
numbering scheme that was six levels deep (X.X.X.X.X.X) with figures and
tables in a guide that was more than 150 pages. I was also able to
revise the guide and the numbering would automatically update for me.

I'll be the first on this list to say that Microsoft's approach to
autonumbering is absolutely screwy; but, at least it did work in Word
2003.


Jon Harvey
Manager, Desktop Documentation
CambridgeSoft Corporation
100 CambridgePark Drive
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 588-9354
-Original Message-
From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of
quills at airmail.net
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 1:22 PM
To: generic668 at yahoo.ca
Cc: framers at lists.frameusers.com; Martinek, Carla; Saunders, Ian
Subject: Re: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

I have used Word 2007. They tried to fix what wasn't broken. And no, 
they didn't fix either the numbering system or multi-file operations. 
It's still oriented toward smaller documents with less complexity.

I also would avoid it for any XML work. My preference, but their past 
history of munging HTML files in export doesn't inspire trust.

Their new GUI isn't intuitive, The use of icons isn't effective as they 
don't describe all things for all people. There is a very steep learning

curve, and a lot of frustration. Since they don't use menus you can't 
refer to things easily for keyboard access to dialogs. You basically 
have to find MS's own help listing of keyboard equivalents, and then 
memorize them. It's not user friendly.

Scott

Writer wrote:
> I have to agree with Carla on this point. Although, I'm tempted to
amend her statement to say "it would take AT LEAST 25-30% longer". I
haven't used the most recent version of Word either, but I'm sure if
things had improved, I'd have heard about it through the grapevine.
>
> Nadine
>
>
> --- On Thu, 4/9/09, Martinek, Carla  wrote:
>
>   
>> I can make it work in Word, but I can guarantee it will take more
time as you are continually "fixing" things that shouldn't have had
issues to start with. I estimate that Word docs take 25-30% longer just
because of the inherent issues.
>> 
> ___
>
>
> You are currently subscribed to Framers as quills at airmail.net.
>
> Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com.
>
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> framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com
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>
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> http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
>
>
>   

___


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Using the FDK to manipulate Graphics in FrameMaker 7x...

[Dan Glover]

Hello,

We're trying to use the FDK to get at the contents of graphics in a 
document.  The graphics are pasted in the document, and have a facet 
type of OLE2.  Unfortunately, the FDK docs don't give much 
information about facets.  I can get data out of a facet if I know 
its name.  For example, F_ApiGetUBytesByName() uses the docId and 
objId for the graphic object, and then the facet name to get the 
given data.  I manage to use "OLE2" for a facet name, and that works 
for FrameMaker 7.2.  But it doesn't work for FrameMaker 7.0!  The FDK 
docs don't describe facet names anywhere, and I have no way to know 
why it works for one version and not another.  I can only assume that 
OLE2 wasn't supported in 7.0???  I tried OLE2, OLE1, and OLE with no 
luck.  I can get TIFF and DIB facets out of 7.0, though.

A related issue...  I want to extract the bitmap representation of 
the OLE image, and create a separate file without the OLE 
information.  But since I have no idea what the facet data looks 
like, I don't know what to save to the file and what to throw 
away.  Is there any way to learn about what's actually inside an image facet?

Thanks for any info or experiences...

Dan Glover
OPNET Technologies, Inc
www.opnet.com

searching for article in front of a variable

[Laurie Little]

Frame 7.2
I have a variable (government ministry of health shortform) that affects the
article in front of it. Each province has a different shortform. When I
change the variable, the article may be affected.

For example, in the Ontario doc, it's "an MOH bill", while in New Brunswick,
it should be "a DHW bill".

Is there any way to search for "a " or "an ", or do I
have to just search for all instances of that variable to check the article
in front of it?

Thanks,


Laurie Little
Words That Work
www.words-tw.com

Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[Spectrum Writing]

I also agree. I have a client, that despite everything I have ever
demonstrated, tabulated, kept track of, etc. is insistent that I do all
original development in Word and yep, I have shown/demonstrated
unequivocally that things can take up to 30% longer to accomplish. Many,
many times, I fix "A" don't even touch "B" and go in after the fix to find
now that "B" is totally hosed for no apparent reason other than Word felt
like crashing/mucking up again. I know more workarounds in Word to force it
to do what I need/want than actually know how to use it the way it is
"supposed" to work and that's a big "supposed." 

As for 2007 - I agree about how non-intuitive the ribbons are, which just
adds to the time. Finding a command that was once one click, maybe two
clicks at most is now three to four, if it's even where you would expect to
find it, is the norm with this blasted ribbon.

My two cents worth,

TVB



Tammy Van Boening
Owner/Principal
Spectrum Writing, LLC
www.spectrumwritingllc.com

-Original Message-
From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Writer
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 11:09 AM
To: Saunders, Ian; framers at lists.frameusers.com; Martinek, Carla
Subject: RE: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame


I have to agree with Carla on this point. Although, I'm tempted to amend her
statement to say "it would take AT LEAST 25-30% longer". I haven't used the
most recent version of Word either, but I'm sure if things had improved, I'd
have heard about it through the grapevine.

Nadine


--- On Thu, 4/9/09, Martinek, Carla  wrote:

> I can make it work in Word, but I can guarantee it will take more time as
you are continually "fixing" things that shouldn't have had issues to start
with. I estimate that Word docs take 25-30% longer just because of the
inherent issues.
___


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Technical Writing Certificate

[Kristen Abbott]

Seawin22,

I don't know where you live, but I got a TW certificate from Middlesex
Community College in Bedford, MA, in 1999. It's an excellent, very
highly-rated program. I landed a job at (then) Compaq right away, stayed
there for 5 years (through the HP merger/acquisition), moved on to a
couple of contracting gigs, then another full-time, direct position at
my current company. It has served me extremely well. Absolutely the best
career move I ever made.

If you are in the Mass./So. NH area, check out:
http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/careertraining/certificates/writingtechinf
o.htm


-Kristen Abbott

Using the FDK to manipulate Graphics in FrameMaker 7x...

[Jeremy H. Griffith]

On Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:30:12 -0400, Dan Glover  wrote:

>We're trying to use the FDK to get at the contents of graphics in a 
>document.  The graphics are pasted in the document, and have a facet 
>type of OLE2.  

We do that in Mif2Go, but not in the FDK plugin.  We do it
while processing the MIF.  From Frame's FDK, a facet is an
opaque container.  But in MIF, you can see them all.

>Unfortunately, the FDK docs don't give much 
>information about facets.  I can get data out of a facet if I know 
>its name.  For example, F_ApiGetUBytesByName() uses the docId and 
>objId for the graphic object, and then the facet name to get the 
>given data.  I manage to use "OLE2" for a facet name, and that works 
>for FrameMaker 7.2.  But it doesn't work for FrameMaker 7.0!  The FDK 
>docs don't describe facet names anywhere, and I have no way to know 
>why it works for one version and not another.  I can only assume that 
>OLE2 wasn't supported in 7.0???  I tried OLE2, OLE1, and OLE with no 
>luck.  I can get TIFF and DIB facets out of 7.0, though.

An OLE facet is really a little file system, using a
proprietary and undocumented Microsoft file system.
We reverse-engineered it before that became illegal
under the DMCA.  It was a long, nasty job.

The only Frame docs I know of on facets are in the
"Integrating Applications with FrameMaker" book
published by Frame Tech in December 1989.  Print
only.  I believe Adobe discontinued it.

>A related issue...  I want to extract the bitmap representation of 
>the OLE image, and create a separate file without the OLE 
>information.  But since I have no idea what the facet data looks 
>like, I don't know what to save to the file and what to throw 
>away.  Is there any way to learn about what's actually inside an image facet?

An OLE facet contains several "files" in its system, and
at least one of them is WMF, used to provide the display
you see in Frame when you are not editing the object.
We scan the files and try to identify the correct WMF
(there may be several); as an option, we'll write out
*all* the WMFs we see in there.

There's one case where it's very simple, discovered by a 
customer of ours: Visio.  It turns out that Visio uses the
OLE format as its own native file type.  So if you export
the OLE facets with Mif2Go (which can be done using the
free demo version), you can rename them form .ole to .vsd
and they will work.

>Thanks for any info or experiences...

HTH!

-- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc.
http://www.omsys.com/

Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame

[qui...@airmail.net]

Your millage may vary.

I found that I could get it to work, but it would blow up, either on me 
at a future date, or on someone else when they opened the file, and I 
would have to go and fix it.

Scott

Jon Harvey wrote:
> I don't use the latest version of Word but Word 2003 had a pretty good,
> and reliable autonumbering method. Unfortunately, you had to know how to
> fumble through the poorly designed interface and even more poorly
> documented method for setting it up. I used it to successfully create a
> numbering scheme that was six levels deep (X.X.X.X.X.X) with figures and
> tables in a guide that was more than 150 pages. I was also able to
> revise the guide and the numbering would automatically update for me.
>
> I'll be the first on this list to say that Microsoft's approach to
> autonumbering is absolutely screwy; but, at least it did work in Word
> 2003.
>
>  
> Jon Harvey
> Manager, Desktop Documentation
> CambridgeSoft Corporation
> 100 CambridgePark Drive
> Cambridge, MA 02140
> (617) 588-9354
> -Original Message-
> From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com
> [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of
> quills at airmail.net
> Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 1:22 PM
> To: generic668 at yahoo.ca
> Cc: framers at lists.frameusers.com; Martinek, Carla; Saunders, Ian
> Subject: Re: Any up to date comparisons of Word and Frame
>
> I have used Word 2007. They tried to fix what wasn't broken. And no, 
> they didn't fix either the numbering system or multi-file operations. 
> It's still oriented toward smaller documents with less complexity.
>
> I also would avoid it for any XML work. My preference, but their past 
> history of munging HTML files in export doesn't inspire trust.
>
> Their new GUI isn't intuitive, The use of icons isn't effective as they 
> don't describe all things for all people. There is a very steep learning
>
> curve, and a lot of frustration. Since they don't use menus you can't 
> refer to things easily for keyboard access to dialogs. You basically 
> have to find MS's own help listing of keyboard equivalents, and then 
> memorize them. It's not user friendly.
>
> Scott
>
>   

searching for article in front of a variable

[Art Campbell]

Speaking as someone who runs FrameScripts rather than someone who
writes them, I think it could be done with a 'script.

Art

Art Campbell
art.campbell at gmail.com
  "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52
Vincent and a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson
  No disclaimers apply.
   DoD 358



On Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 1:33 PM, Laurie Little  wrote:
> Frame 7.2
> I have a variable (government ministry of health shortform) that affects the
> article in front of it. Each province has a different shortform. When I
> change the variable, the article may be affected.
>
> For example, in the Ontario doc, it's "an MOH bill", while in New Brunswick,
> it should be "a DHW bill".
>
> Is there any way to search for "a " or "an ", or do I
> have to just search for all instances of that variable to check the article
> in front of it?
>
> Thanks,
>
> 
> Laurie Little
> Words That Work
> www.words-tw.com
>
>
> ___
>
>
> You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campbell at gmail.com.
>
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>
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>
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> http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
>

2 questions about structured FM and RH

[Diane Gaskill]

Hi Framers,

We are single-sourcing with TCS 1.0, using Structured FrameMaker 8, RoboHelp 7, 
and DocBook 1.4.2. The writers need to be able to designate related topic links 
for a topic. They also need to designate expanding text in the FM files so that 
it appears correctly when it is output through RoboHelp to a help system. 

Since we are single sourcing, we don't want to set up these functions in RH, 
but we are having problems getting them to work in FM.  So, I have a couple of 
questions.

   Is there way to set up expanding text in FM so that it appears correctly as 
DHTML expanding text in RoboHelp?

   Is there a SFM mechanism for designating a list of related topics so that 
they appear correctly in RoboHelp? 

Thanks,
Diane Gaskill
Hitachi Data Systems

URGENT_Images and DPI

[Diane Gaskill]

Susan,

You need to resize the screenshot outside of FM. FM does not maintain DPI 
settings when you scale a graphic to fit within a frame.  It's one or the 
other.  I don't use Snagit so I do not know if you can do it with that tool.  I 
do knokw that you can do this in Paintshop Pro because that is the tool I use.

Hope this helps.
Diane Gaskill


-Original Message-
>From: Susan Curtzwiler 
>Sent: Apr 9, 2009 8:06 AM
>To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
>Subject: URGENT_Images and DPI 
>
>Hi All, 
> 
>Software:  FrameMaker 7.0  on Vista Enterprise.  SnagIt 9 in .PNG format - 
>required by management. 
>Audience:  Technicians in a data center - they will be using a standard 
>laptop.  This is for a runbook, mostly will be viewed on screen, limited 
>printed copies in black only.
> 
>I need some really quick help with how to best use the DPI settings to import 
>screen captures by reference.  
> 
>I have some wide screen captures that will not fit into the anchored frame and 
>retain clarity. 
> 
>If I use the 96 DPI, I can get the area being emphasized, but not enough 
>surrounding area to have landmarks for the user. 
> 
>The larger screen captures, about 4x6, are even more difficult.  If I use the 
>150 DPI, it goes in the anchored frame, but again the text quality is not very 
>good. 
> 
>Any input will be great.   I will be working with the FM scaling tool and see 
>if I can get satisfactory results. 
> 
>Thanks,
>Sue Curtzwiler 
>___
> 

URGENT_Images and DPI

[Combs, Richard]

Susan Curtzwiler wrote:

> I need some really quick help with how to best use the DPI settings to
> import screen captures by reference.
> 
> I have some wide screen captures that will not fit into the anchored
> frame and retain clarity.
> 
> If I use the 96 DPI, I can get the area being emphasized, but not
> enough surrounding area to have landmarks for the user.
> 
> The larger screen captures, about 4x6, are even more difficult.  If I
> use the 150 DPI, it goes in the anchored frame, but again the text
> quality is not very good.

What format are they saved in? If it's JPEG, that's part of your
problem. JPEG is optimal for photos, but a poor choice for screen shots,
and often results in blurry text. Switch to PNG. 

If these screen captures are from a Windows machine, 96 dpi should be
approximately "life-size" and 150 dpi should be easily readable. I
routinely used 180 dpi for screen shots of an application window about
900 x 500 pixels, making them about 5" wide in the doc. When you say
4x6, are you talking inches? You should be able to insert those into an
8.5 x 11 page life-size or nearly so, and if they're decent quality,
they should be as sharp and clear as the original window from which
they're captured. 

You refer to _the_ anchored frame as if it was a given. Can't you use a
larger frame? If necessary, you can rotate the screen shot so its width
can be nearly the height of your text frame (although you shouldn't need
to unless I'm misunderstanding the sizes you're working with or these
screens use really tiny type).

BTW, to maintain the quality of a bitmap graphic, resist the urge to
make it larger or smaller with the mouse. Resize it only by changing the
dpi (best) or setting a round-number scaling percentage (both in the
Object Properties dialog). 

HTH!
Richard

Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
--
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
--