[Closed] FrameMaker 7.x/8 Feature Requests

Searchability within Equation boxes and anchored frames....I specialize in setting up math books, and this would be a plus.

Support for foreign ways of writing equations...In norway, we use a period like a comma in numbers and a comma like a decimalpoint. We also put a space in between million, thousandand, hundreds, etc.

Searching for non existant paragraph formats....as in when you import a document from word...to be able to find any paragraphs which would be imported as *paragraph format (Asterix+name). Particularly useful when most of the doc has been reformated with search and replace Paraformat to find anything that has fallen through the cracks.

Line numbering for books and single files. Should be available to number consecutively or restart by page or section.

Useful for legal and software engineering document review where references are made to section 1, page 5, line 112. Basically, see Word's implementation. No, I don't want to go back to word, but it does do SOME things well.

I like the suggestion about different colors for different marker types. However, I've been working with markers a lot lately and sometimes have 3 or 4 different markers that I want to put in the same place (e.g., index, cross reference, hyper text, and custom).

Perhaps another way would be to have one marker, and then have have a single dialog that lets you edit or insert multiple marker values. When I need to edit one of my markers, I have to select each by trial and error until I find the right one. I'd rather have just one place and one interface.

&& Mike

Nix item number 6) from my feature request list, since the problem was solved by replacing a non-true *.wmf graphic file with a true *.gif version of the file.

ChristyG

Bleah! It only took me 4.5 hours to read all 376 messages!

My wish list for the next Frame release:

1) multiple undos (4-to-6 should be enough)

2) (As mentioned in message #118), provide a utility to print reports on unused character tags, paragraph tags, unused variables, unused cross-reference formats, etc. Just something to help us clean up old stuff carried over from legacy style sheets. Also provide the ability to print a list of variables used and the page numbers on which they occur (the way a list of references works). I know we can currently create a list of markers and cross-references, but is there currently a way to do this with variables?

3) (As mentioned in message #341), provide the ability to assign color to different marker types. I try to stick a comment marker at the beginning of a publication, in case there's any reminders/comments I need to make known before the next update of the publication. Having these markers appear in perky red or another color from the Windows color box would be cool.

4) For lengthy index references, let the column break that occurs from the bottom of one column to the top of the next cause a variable to be inserted that lists the Level1IX text, plus "(continued)." (I'd like this to work similarly to how the Table continuation variable works).

5) Fix the bug in FrameMaker 7.0 that creates the error message "The filter encountered an error and could not complete the translation." This happens with every *.wmf file I import by reference that has anything more than a couple words of text. (Frame 6.0 imported *.wmf files of any size/detail with no annoying error message.)

My workaround for the above problem, which seems to be an Import/Filter bug, is as follows:

a) Create a simple *.wmf file using just a text box with one word,
such as "Temp" or "Crap!"

b) Name the *.wmf file as you would using your preferred naming convention.

c)Import the *.wmf file into an anchored frame in your FrameMaker document. The file, since it is so simple, should import at 100% scaling with no problem.

d) Save the REAL graphic you want to import as a *.wmf file and give it the same name that you used in step b. When the "file already exists" message appears, click Yes to overwrite the existing file. Since Frame has already accepted and imported the simpleton version of the filename, it will replace the original *.wmf graphic with the more detailed version.

e) Size and scale the graphic as needed.

Caution: If you delete the graphic from the frame, you will have to repeat steps a through e.

6) From a message I posted on 09/08/03: Fix whatever the problem is that is causing one of my graphics not to appear in a PDF file (although it appears in the Frame file and on the printed page).

that's all,
ChristyG

True. This solution works well (other than laborious setup) for paper or PDF; not so well for other online formats. I would also prefer a real solution.

--Gloria Mc

Gloria is correct but note that Quadralay's WebWorks Publisher rasterizes anything contained in an anchored frame: the AF's contents are converted into a graphic.

This means that for WWP users, table insets generated as on-line content become no longer searchable or editable as text. Perhaps not a big problem, but I too would like to be able to simply nest a table inside of a table. Good Heavens, even clunky old HTML can do that...

Cheers,
Riley

<<Tables within tables.>>

Can be done now, although it's awkward. Insert anchored frame within table cell, draw a text box in the anchored frame, then insert new table in the text box.

«Turn off automatic backup files»

Can be done now. Click File, Prefernces and then check the appropriate box.

5. Print paragraph and character styles listing, including all attributes (like MIFMunch).
6. LastPage Variable.