How can I customize a project template?

Peter -- There are some days I wonder how I function. No, I forgot about that tiny little OBVIOUS detail.

DOH!

Thanks for pointing that out. Now everything works as it should

Hello all, I have found a way to havea custom project and reuse it without having to do all the importing, however, I will tell you upfront there is a flaw i haven't yet figured out how to overcome.

So this is what I've done.

1. Created a project (Default_Project).
2. Added topic templates, skins, css, basic images, snippets, variables, etc.
3. Placed it in it's own folder called RH Master Tempaltes.
4. All authors go to that folder via windows explorer.
5. Copy that whole folder to local laptop.
6. Right click, rename folder to NewProjectName.
7. Open folder, click File --> Rename Project then enter the new name: NewProjectName.
8. Enter the name of the project. RH7 then renames all files.

Works like a charm and I don't have to worry that someone forgot to import something.

The flaw? We are using Flashhelp. I noticed after the flashhelp is published the following files ARE NOT being changed, they maintain the Default_Template name:

Default Template.log
Default_Template.glo
Default_Template.hhc
Default_Template.hhk
Default_Template.htm
Default_Template.ppf
Default_Template_csh_.htm
Default_Template_hha_hhk

I cannot find where the project is pulling the old name from. I have tried deleting the .cpd and .mpj files. Doesn't fix the problem. I have tried clearing out the flashhelp folder, deleting the .cpd and .mpj file. Still no joy.

I can resolve this issue for a WebHelp output by changing the .hhp file in notepad (I know, not recommended, but if you've been using RH as long as I have, sometimes that is the only way you used to be able to fix things).

However, this is good only if you want to export to WebHelp. Which, we don't. We want to use Flashhelp and try out FlashHelp Pro. So if anyone has any other ideas as to what to look at to see why all the names in the flashhelp output revert to the original name, I'm all ears. Until then, I'll keep playing with stuff until I figure it out.

Cindy

Hi all

Welllll, it used to be that one could modify these beasties and use them later on to create projects. You then had options when choosing the "Custom" type. You got two choices (Custom 1 or Custom 2). But it appears the process broke somewhere. I don't recall testing to see if it still worked in version 6. When I get a chance, I'll try that.

I did try modifying one of these by opening it in RoboHelp 7. I know I know, HOW did I manage to open it? Well, I clicked File > Open and navigated to the folder. No project file was there. But the .CPD WAS there! So I renamed it from .CPD to .MPJ and it opened up after I elected to click the "Upgrade" button. But while it finally allowed me to edit the files, when I later created a totally new project by choosing Custom, nothing I edited was inside as it should have been.

Unfortunately, I think Peter's advice is the best you will be able to do until they correct the issue.

Cheers all... Rick