formatting DITA

[FieryPantone]

-- FM 8.0p277 on XP ---

OK, so it might be a Bateman "the man who ..." level of gaffe * in such august company - I'll risk it.

On the one hand, a respectable quantity of documents all using the same corporate layout. I think it's fair to say they are also pretty well-structured, even though I've not being using structured FM.

On the other hand, my first experiment in applying DITA structure with FrameMaker, using one of these documents as a starting-point.

The obvious question now arises: where do I even _start_ in trying to have the new structured document look like the old unstructured ones? equally obvious, I'd prefer to end up with something where File > Import formats would do the trick ...

Thanks in advance!

* see, for example, http://www.hmbateman.com/gallery_2.htm and "The Man Who Crept Into the Royal Enclosure in a Bowler"

[frameexpert]

The EDD (Element Definition Document) is where you specify formatting for your structured documents. Since you have an unstructured template, you can use this as a basis for your structured template.

If you need help with this, we could set up a web meeting, where I can show you an overview of the process. If you are interested, please contact me offlist. Thanks.

Rick Quatro
rick at frameexpert dot com
585-659-8267

[_Scott_Prentice_]

You can start by just modifying the template file .. this is probably more similar to what you're familiar with in unstructured Frame. The structure application (template, EDD, and r/w rules) are typically located in the FrameMaker/Structure/xml/<appname> folder (the exact location will vary, but is defined in the structure application definitions file .. Structure Tools > Edit Application Definitions). The template will typically contain the predefined styles that are applied by the EDD, so if you modify the style definition in the template, it will show up that way the next time you open a file that uses that template.<br /><br />Be sure to make backups of any structure application files you modify! :)<br /><br />And *do* take Rick up on his offer to give you a walkthrough.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />...scott

[FieryPantone]

Thanks to both of you!<br /><br />Rick, that's a very generous offer I shall certainly take you up on; I'll be in touch next week.<br /><br />Scott, it's (sort of) encouraging to hear it's "just" the EDD and the r/w rules <g> But let me expose my ignorance and ask for clarification on "template file": do you mean an ordinary .fm file with style-definitions?<br /><br />Could be a long journey ahead - but I'm already convinced it's worth undertaking.<br /><br />N

[Arnis Gubins]

Niels,

You might also want to have a look at Lynne Price's site and download
some of her sample templates. See http://www.txstruct.com/tools.htm

[frameexpert]

The template will be like an ordinary .fm file with style definitions, but in addition, it will contain the element definitions imported from the EDD. As you develop the EDD, you periodically import the element definitions into your template and test the formatting applied to elements in various contexts.

Rick