Cannot find DITA application in FrameMaker 8

Report · Nov 03, 2008

I am trying to start a DITA project in FrameMaker 8, and all tutorials and help docs tell me to choose an application via the DITA menu. If I open the DITA options and try to select an application, there is NOTHING there. Also, I do not find the DITA folder in the structured examples and templates. Can anyone tell me what I am missing here ?

FYI, I got FrameMaker 8 as part of the Technical Communication Suite and reinstalled the product yesterday, just to make sure everything is there. There was no dialog with options where I could choose which parts of FrameMaker to install, so I am not aware of having disabled the DITA support in my installation.

If there is a DITA support package that I need to install, please point me to the location where I can download it. I cannot browse the installation DVD, as everything is wrapped in package files.

Thanks in advance for quick replies.

Jang

Report · Nov 03, 2008

Hi Jang...

It *should* be installed by default with FM8 (Tech Suite or otherwise). There is no additional support package required. I've installed both the Tech Suite and the stand alone version and it was there.

You might try reinstalling, but after you uninstall, to to the Program Files/Adobe/FM8 directory and delete whatever is laying around before reinstalling.

Have you installed both the stand alone FM8 and the Tech Suite? Maybe the installer is confused .. ??

...scott

Report · Nov 03, 2008

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the idea of uninstalling first, then removing the whole FM8 directory, then rebooting (otherwise, the installer thinks it is still running) and finally reinstalling. That worked. Of course, when uninstalling, all add-ons that were later installed with FM8 would have to be redone after a clean install.

Fortunately, I work on a virtual PC on a Mac, and I have first made a copy of the entire machine. All I had to do after reinstalling FM8 on the copy was to move the extra files to the original virtual machine. Now the DITA menu shows more interesting options than before...

Oh well, it keeps us off the streets... ;-)

Jang