Single Sourcing with TCS: Using FrameMaker to Manage Print and Help Authoring

1. Single Sourcing with TCS: Using FrameMaker to Manage Print and Help Authoring Matt Sullivan, GRAFIX Training & Consulting 888 882-2819 matt@grafixtraining.com

2. 2-day TCS Integration Classes • Available at the STC meeting in Philly, see • http://www.stc.org/55thConf/precon/certAdobe.asp • Available in southern California, see • http://grafixtraining.com/pages/schedule.html • Available remotely • Only a 2-student minimum for live online training! • http://grafixtraining.com/pages/remote.html

3. Goal • To show how traditional documentation methods can be used to control custom and conditionalized output including (not limited to): • Print • A variety of Help formats • Adobe AIR

4. Overview of Session • Concept of TCS • Concept of Template-Driven Frame projects • Key FrameMaker Topics • Acrobat 3D Toolkit • RoboHelp Setup • Outputs • Revisions

5. Adobe Technical Communication Suite • Integrated versions of applications • FrameMaker 8 • Acrobat 3D • A superset of Acrobat 8 Professional • Captivate 3 • RoboHelp 7 • (RoboHelp Packager for AIR) • New License $1,599 • Upgrade to TCS from any version of these four products for $999 • Don’t forget the Maintenance Contract and VLP Discounts • 30-day fully functioning downloads available

6. DTP and Help Naming Conventions • Strive for no format overrides • Format with Paragraph and Character styles only • Consistent Naming Conventions for • Paragraph Formats • Character Formats • Conditions • Cross Reference Formats • Master and Reference Pages • Colors • Styles • InitialCap • ALLCAP • lower_case

7. FrameMaker • Assign Master Pages automatically • Ex: CoverPage, RotatedTables, FullPageGraphics • MasterPageMaps Reference Page • Cross-reference formats • Complete units (Para’s or Sentences) • Leverage Character Formats to highlight Hyperlink • Conditional Text • Including Build Expressions

8. Graphics Import Options • By reference, except screen captures • Native files if possible • Illustrator • Photoshop • 3D objects • Captivate demos • With poster for print output

9. Output from Frame • Print • Create PDF, then print (frees up FrameMaker faster) • PDF (loosely grouped into3 types) • Screen only • Laser/bubble jet output • Commercial print • HTML/XML • Native HTML conversion • Commercial solutions available

10. Works with many native 3d formats output See Edit > Preferences > Convert to PDF Acrobat 3D

11. Acrobat 3D Toolkit • Drag & Drop onto a shortcut or the open application to start editing • Full control over selecting and viewing 3D structure • Select using Scene Tree or any Tool • Group Feature helps with organization

12. Commonly used toolbars shown to the right  Ensure Folders are visible Acrobat 3D Controls and Toolbars

13. Map surfaces in Acrobat 3D • With Folders visible, view Materials • If necessary, select the Generate Thumbnails icon • Drag surface onto selected object(s)

14. Save/Save As dialog in Acrobat 3D • Save as Universal 3D (.u3d) format to ensure compatibility with Frame 8 • In Save dialog box select Settings • General Tab • Choose ECMA 1st Edition • Animation Tab • Select Export Animation

15. Create Standalone Version of 3D PDF • Drag U3D into Acrobat 3D

16. Place in FrameMaker • Place as any other .ai, .psd, or export format • Converts to PDF as fully articulating object • Double-click Frame image to re-edit in Acrobat 3D Toolkit

17. Captivate Print Image Can show the result of steps • Select best slide background of finished steps • Export to .gif image • Select Edit > Preferences > Project > Start and End • Click ellipse for Loading Screen & select .gif exported above

18. Add Playbar to SWF • Force Captivate to produce single SWF including playbar • Select Project > Skin > Borders • Uncheck Show Borders • Increase project height to accommodate player • Select Project > Resize Project • Deselect Maintain Aspect Ratio • Increase Height by 32 pixels • Do not scale, place in Top Center, use White background

19. Import FM by reference Option currently available as right-click on HTML directory in Project Manager RoboHelp

20. Map Critical Styles • Edit Style Mappings for headings that split into topics

21. fmstyles.css • Create placeholder topic • Conditionalize to keep text out of project • Verify fmstyles.css is applied to placeholder • Forces fmstyles to show in project manager • All Frame-generated CSS files use fmstyles for base • Edit fmstyles.css as needed • Reuse or replace the CSS as needed

22. Conditional Builds • Use Conditional Build Expressions to create multiple projects. Examples might include: • WebHelp-Verbose • WebHelp-Minimal Text

23. Duplicating Layouts • Right-Click the format to duplicate • Confirm format type • Set options as needed • Create Conditional Build Expressions from Conditions used in document

24. Batch Generate • Right-Click on a layout • Select SSL’s as needed • Click Generate • Batch Generate settings are saved with XPJ

25. Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) • Input is WebHelp from RoboHelp 7 • Output is an Application Installer • A bit like PDF and Flash rolled into content that autoupdates when connected to the web

26. RoboHelp Packager for AIR • Must have output from RoboHelp 7 as the source material • Uses the WebHelp folder from SSL as target • Requires Digital ID, but allows low-tech bypass

27. AIR Formatting Options • Ships with 2 skins & 2 themes

28. AIR Content Settings • Controls output of • MiniTOC • Search Capability • Custom Resource Tabs • Has Live Preview

29. Revise Content • Change common and conditional text in FrameMaker • Update/Force Update in RoboHelp • Batch Generate in RoboHelp • Convert to AIR and post new version • Access AIR app to see update