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A
Alex_Masycheff
Participating Frequently
June 4, 2012
Question

Generating a Book from DITA Map

  • June 4, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 1951 views

Hi All,

In the DITA-FMx plugin developed by Leximation, there's a feature called Generate Book from Map. It allows me to create a FrameMaker book from a DITA map or bookmap and then do whatever I can do with any FrameMaker book, including create a PDF.

Is there anything similar in the native Adobe's DITA plugin? How can I get to a book from a DITA map/bookmap?

Thanks in advance!

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1 reply

A
Anonymous
June 5, 2012

Hi Alex--

It's not a straight forward process, but it's doable.

You don't say what version of DITA or FrameMaker you are using, but you mention the "Adobe DITA plug-in," which hasn't been a plugin for quite a while. I only have experience with FM10 and DITA 1.2. This is what I must do to create a book to print.

For me I have one "book level" ditamap that has several submaps in it. Each submap corresponds to a chapter. The book level ditamap lacks the front matter, ToC, and IX. Those get added later.

1. From my ditamap I must choose File > Save Ditamap As..

2. In the Save as type field I choose Composite Document 10 (.fm).

With the composite .fm file, insert it into a FrameMaker book file, add any front matter (copyright, etc), add/create your ToC and IX, update/generate, and then print as you normally would.

-Lief

A
Alex_MasycheffAuthor
Participating Frequently
June 6, 2012

Hi Lief,

Thanks a lot! You are correct, I'm using FrameMaker 10. What you are writing makes a perfect sense to me. With the Adobe plugin, more interim steps are required, but at least now I understand the process.

I'd like to ask you one more thing if you don't mind: is there any way to apply .ditaval files to a DITA map when generating FM files or a book? In the DITA-FMx plugin, there's a feature that let me do this very easily. Is there anything in the Adobe's plugin?

Again, many thanks,

Alex

A
Anonymous
June 6, 2012

Yes, you can use a ditaval file. When you choose Composite Document 10 from the Save As dialog, there is an option that you can select that says "Prompt for DitaVal file". Select it, and click Save. You'll be prompted for your ditaval file.

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