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A
Anonymous
December 22, 2010
Answered

Robohelp Word quits generating HTML Help after 2 MB of images

  • December 22, 2010
  • 3 replies
  • 1063 views

Hi, I'm trying to evaluate RoboHelp for Word 8 for my company. I'm using the trial version of RoboHelp 8 for Word. In the process of building the contents for the hep files in the Word document I insert images via the Insert -> Picture -> From File menu in Word. After I've inserted about 2 mb of images RoboHelp hangs when I run RoboHelps File -> Generate Primary Layout, for MS HtmlHelp, from the menu. The Output compiler just basically hangs with the following:

Starting compilation...

Clearing output folder...

Starting compilation...

I found the image at the border of the size limit and delete it and am able to generate the output. I can also replace it with a much smaller image and can generate the output.

This seems awfully strange to me, 2MB is nothing. We're using mostly JPG image and two small GIFs. Could this be just a problem with the trial version of RoboHelp 8 or maybe RoboHelp wants images inserted into Word in a different way?

Thanks, I appreciate any information you can provide me.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Peter Grainge

You've missed my point. With RoboHelp HTML you don't have to import, you link and then create the CHM. The Word document can reside on the network and the SMEs can edit it. When you generate, RoboHelp prompts you to update the topics from the current version of the document.

Thus you still have your Word documents available for others to update and you still have your CHMs.

What version of Word are you using. In 2007 the RoboHelp stuff seems to be in the Add-In ribbon.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

3 replies

A
Anonymous
December 22, 2010

The thing is I need to use Robohelp Word cause thats the only one that will both import word documents and output as MS HtmlHelp CHM files which our application needs. We need the doc files so our documentation group can update them.

I don't see a RoboHelp Menu or ToolBar Item for inserting images, am I missing something? Do you or somebody out there that uses RoboHelp 8 for Word tell me what menu, toolbar item or process they use to insert images in the doc file?

Thanks.

Peter Grainge
Community Expert
Peter GraingeCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 22, 2010

You've missed my point. With RoboHelp HTML you don't have to import, you link and then create the CHM. The Word document can reside on the network and the SMEs can edit it. When you generate, RoboHelp prompts you to update the topics from the current version of the document.

Thus you still have your Word documents available for others to update and you still have your CHMs.

What version of Word are you using. In 2007 the RoboHelp stuff seems to be in the Add-In ribbon.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

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A
Anonymous
December 22, 2010

Thanks Peter, I just tried RoboHelp HTML, you're right it works great linking to the word file! The CHM didn't come out as a standard Help file, everyting came out in a flat file instead of the different books, TOC and subtopics.

We're just using Word 2003. I figured out how to do it in Robohelp Word. You save the images as BMPs using Image Workshop. Then in the topics you use the Word Menu: Edit  -> Paste Help Image and that shows up as a tag in the Word topic.

Thanks, I think I'll just go with the second way and get it done so I can get on with other things.

A
Anonymous
December 22, 2010

Thanks Peter. Yes what your saying is exactly the issue. Let me figure out whether I have all the toolbars displaying so I can find that option.

Peter Grainge
Community Expert
Peter GraingeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 22, 2010

Welcome to the forum.

The problem is the way you are inserting the images. You must use the RoboHelp menu / toolbar. While you are working you can insert the images to display as code or images, your choice. However, when you generate, you must use the Convert to Code option so that all the images are displayed as code. Then the project will generate OK. Otherwise once you reach a small limit, it will fail.

You will need to redo the images already inserted. Check your document(s) before generating to make sure no images are displayed, code only.

An alternative workflow would be to work in Word independently of RoboHelp and then use RoboHelp HTML. There you can link to Word documents. The appearance or the workflow might not suit but it is worth taking a look. The other side of the coin is it could just as easily be a better workflow.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

Use the menu (bottom right) to mark the Best Answer or Highlight particularly useful replies. Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here.
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