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Marsha_Lofthouse
Known Participant
October 22, 2013
Question

Conversion table: How does it know whether a topic is a task, concept, or reference?

  • October 22, 2013
  • 1 reply
  • 645 views

FM 11

DITA 1.2

I'm just starting to work on my conversion table for our non-structured files. I've only gone as far as my first couple of iterative tests to create FM binary files; i.e., I haven't imported my EDD or templates yet. I'm just trying to apply logic to the process.

Marsha

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1 reply

ScottPrentice
ScottPrentice
Inspiring
October 22, 2013

Hi Marsha...

The only way for it to know is based on the heading tag names. You'll need to assign different tags for each heading that starts a new "topic type". You'll also need to assign different tags within topics (like "task") to differentiate between the different sections within a topic.

I have a tool that helps with this "retagging" process (as well as many other conversion-related issues). it lets you define a retagging scheme based on previous tags or tags that follow a certain tag. It also lets you assign new tags based on text in the heading. You may want to download the trial of this tool just to get an idea of what it can do. The sample files and documentation may be helpful for your learning process, even if you don't buy it.

     http://leximation.com/tools/info/fm2dita.php

Also .. you might want to look at the webinar I gave for Adobe on this subject ..

     http://leximation.com/downloads/adobe-fm2xml-2013

Cheers,

...scott

M
Marsha_LofthouseAuthor
Known Participant
October 22, 2013

Thanks, Scott.

Unfortunately, we can't spend any money this year. We would love to have fm2dita and DitaFMx but that isn't going to happen, even though the time saved would probably pay for the product. <sigh />.

I'll take a look at the 30 day trial.

Marsha

ScottPrentice
ScottPrentice
Inspiring
October 22, 2013

Note that the FM2DITA tool is not tied to DITA-FMx .. it is a separate plugin that provides lots of utilities for the conversion process. Yes .. grab the trial so you can use the sample files. Also, you might get some ideas from the commands that you could implement via ExtendScript to help streamline the conversion process.

Cheers!

...scott

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