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M
Marsha_Lofthouse
Known Participant
October 4, 2013
Question

Importing EDD changes to templates - help!

  • October 4, 2013
  • 1 reply
  • 535 views

FM 11

DITA 1.2

I've made minor changes to the following EDDs to syhchronize the formatting of our DITA documents with our parent company:

  • uidomain.eddmod.fm
  • concept.eddmod.fm
  • reference.eddmod.fm
  • task.eddmod.fm
  • commonElements.eddmod.fm
  • softwareDomain.eddmod.fm

I've also imported the element definitions from the list above into the following files:

  • uidomain.edd.fm
  • concept.edd.fm
  • reference.edd.fm
  • task.edd.fm
  • commonElements.edd.fm
  • softwareDomain.edd.fm

I've also imported all the changes into these files:

  • topic.eddmod.fm
  • topic.edd.fm
  • ditabase.eddmod.fm
  • ditabase.edd.fm

Then I imported concept.edd.fm, reference.edd.fm, and task.edd.fm into their respective templates (concept.template.fm, reference.template.fm, and task.template.fm.).

When I open a new concept, task, or reference from the DITA menu, my changes are not there.

What step am I missing?

(I've done this before but it was months ago. I even wrote myself some detailed instructions and put them where I would always be able to find them - but I can't find them. )

Marsha (working in DITA 1.2 which has too many EDDs!)

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

A
annette_b
Participating Frequently
May 12, 2014

Hi Marsha,

Did you find the missing step? I'm considering using Framemaker to author DITA content but, while the EDD may be 'easier' to define that an XSL FO, the number of files and import steps seem to me very error prone and hard to maintain. I don't know if you are working with a team of writers but if you do, what is the path to update the configuration for all writers? Do you have to package all these modified files and update them locally? Or maybe you a have publishing server?

Regards,

Annette

M
Marsha_LofthouseAuthor
Known Participant
May 12, 2014

Hi Annette,

I had forgotten all about this post. Looking at it, I think the steps are correct. They are what I've been using the past few weeks. The only thing missing might be that order matters. You must put the most specific rules before the more general rules in the EDD.

Example for a <p> element in the EDD:

If context is: li < (ol | ul) < li < (ol | ul) < info < step

     Use paragraph format: Body3

If context is: li < (ol | ul) < info < step

     Use paragraph format: Body2

Yes, I *do* work with a team of writers. I am the only one who makes changes to any of the files in the DITA 1.2 folder. I then post the entire DITA 1.2 file on the network for everyone to download to their C:\ drives to replace what is currently there. I've found that posting and replacing the entire DITA 1.2 folder, even if I only make one tiny change, is easier for all concerned.

Even with all the numerous files in structured FrameMaker, it still find it easier to work with than XSL FO with which I do have some experience.

If you can get DITA-FMx into your budget with FrameMaker, I highly encourage it. Unfortunately, our budgets have not allowed this purchase as yet. I was one of the original beta testers and it really does make writing and publishing in XML a lot easier.

Marsha

A
annette_b
Participating Frequently
May 12, 2014

Hi Marsha,

Thanks for the quick reply and advice. It's good to hear about your experience. I'll have a look at DITA-FMx as well.

Regards,

Annette

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