FrameMaker 8 on XP and Softech's ProductCenter

Report · Jun 22, 2009

Is anyone using FrameMaker 8 on Windows XP and SofTech's Product Center? We are importing FrameMaker documents into FrameMaker files by reference and then attempting to enter these files into our vault storage. When storing the hierarchy, the process crashes Frame.

Wondering if anyone else is doing this.

Report · Jun 23, 2009

I don't recall hearing the name "Softech Product Center" in connection with FM.

Can you clarify what the product does? I'm particularly curious about when you say "storing the hierarchy" -- does the target application (in this case FM) have to be open in order for this process to occur?

Does the product work with any other apps?

Report · Jun 23, 2009

Shiela,

Thanks for your interest. I'll try to explain:

SoftTech offers file vault storage software called ProductCenter which incorporates a database. One of the modules we use is called FrameMaker Integrator, that stores a book, and all it's associated files (such as chapter files and referenced files). We also use Pro-E Integrator, which does a similar operation for Pro-Engineer CAD files. When a book is "checked in" to the database, an hierarchy is is created with the book being the parent and the chapter files as children of that parent. In like manner, if a chapter file contains referenced files, those files become children of the chapter files. ProductCenter also has a stand-alone client that alows checking in of individual files (no hierarchy).

Basically, it's a secure file storage system. It requires a login and if one person has the file checked out, he is the only one who can modify it.

Report · Jun 23, 2009

What version of FM are you using, the "pxxx" numbers from Help > About. Does Softech specify any particular version or platform that this works with?

Also, are all the users on a particular Windows version (XP, Vista) and service pack level?

Has this process worked in the past -- for any user -- at all? Or for some users but not others?

Could it be that a Windows update has somehow caused problems? For example the SP3 update caused a lot of havoc to many applications (including FM and many others) because of major changes to the way OLE linked files work.

Report · Jun 23, 2009

Sheila,

For the FM, the two people working on this are on p277, one other person is on p266. SoftTech ProductCenter FrameMaker Integrator, according to my system adminstrator for the cad systems, is not specific to a version of FM. It is, however, platform specific (Windows). We are consistent on Windows--all using Windows XP SP3.

Only one user has gone through this process, and he was successful, until now.

I doubt this is related to (XP) SP3, since that's the version we've been using since before we tried this process. Unless, a minor Windows update has caused it.

Report · Jun 23, 2009

I forgot to answer one of your earlier questions regarding FM being open to use Integrator. The short answer is yes. The way it works is that ProductCenter has a pull down menu in the menu bar in FM. To "check in" a book (or chapter file) there is a menu pick for "store hierarchy". When this is chosen, ProductCenter actually takes over and moves files from the current working directory, to the vault server, and exits the file (book or chapter) window (leaving the main FM window open and FM running). A lot of stuff happens in the background.

Report · Jun 23, 2009

Have you triple-checked to be sure that all of the files have been saved in FM before the check-in process is started?

Also, how about things like paths -- are all the component files (e.g. graphics, FM files, whatever is part of the FM document set) in the same directory, all on the same system? Or are some files accessed from non-local directories, network file shares, or something like that?

Does the process work with any FM files at all -- or is it completely broken? e.g. if you make a brand new document without any significant content, no graphics, just a simple doc, does the original check-in work by itself?

Can you identify any correlation between when these crashes started, to pin it down to a date range, and then maybe your IT could see if that syncs with any of the MS security patches.

I guess what I'm trying to suggest is try to break down the steps to the most simple operations, to see if you can identify whether there's some trigger point between when it works vs. not.

There are so many other possibilities with a server app, it's difficult to make troubleshooting suggestions.

I understand trying to do some pre-emptive troubleshooting, but my gut tells me that this might be a significant enough issue that the vendor might have trouble reports from other users.

Report · Jun 23, 2009

OK...

1. FM files are saved. One of the first things that happen in the

background is that the FM files are saved. In this case, the FM file

that is being imported into an FM file, is already in the ProductCenter

database.

2. We try to have all the files, including referenced files, coming from

the same folder--a network folder (either on a linux server or a unix

server).

3. The process works very well with FM files (and books) with or without

imported graphics files--such as .jpg, hpgl, .eps, etc. It also works

consistently well when importing a TOC file into a chapter file. It

works for both a single FM file and with a document set (book).

4. Referring to the process with FM files imported into FM files, there

has been a significant time span between the last successful check-in

process and the current failed process--approximately one month. I will

have to check with IT on the number of MS patches or updates in that

time period.

5. 6. & 7. The crash occurs during the "check-in" process, when

ProductCenter is running things. For that reason, I've involve the

system administrator (our CAD administrator) who has (I believe) been in

contact with SoftTech. Still waiting on results from that.