Framemaker DITA Basics

[priyapmr]

So far I've been working with unstructured FM templates. I'm using FM11. I plan to move to structured authoring. I downloaded DEVELOPING STRUCTURED APPLICATIONS WITH ADOBE® FRAMEMAKER® 9 from Adobe website and working on creating a basic structured template. I had already worked on an xml based authoring tools (not FM) in my previous company and I know how my structured template is going to work.

Now my question is about the DITA tab in FM application. It looks like there already are templates for topics and concepts and there is also a map using which I can create a PDF of my documents. How does it differ from the structured template I am going to create?

Please also suggest me of any online tutorials or training materials available on FM DITA at a beginner's level.

[Gorly]

Hi,

technically speaking DITA is just another structured template, just as yours.

Historically DITA was (more or less) developed for software documentation. This is something that is still very present in DITA 1.1

With DITA 1.2, there has been a shift towards more fields of use (which could be done earlier through specialization of DITA).

It is an industry standard, just like S1000D and delivers a full-blown structure for your documentation.

You could use it outright as is, but doing so, you will soon enough figure out that this won't meet your expectations.

The use of DITA shouldn't be done lightheartedly. You'll need to see, if DITA works for you or not (also in regard of the limitations of FM11) - before you get involved head over heels.

To get a glimpse, there's this presentation: http://www.treelight.com/dita/When_is_DITA_Right_for_You.pdf

Hope this helps you a bit around.

Cheers Alex

[Geetha Gowri5C19]

Hi All,

I have started with DITA in FrameMaker (Relase 2019), am tryig to create a Topic Template for my userguide.

i need to insert section heading with numbers [1.1 , 1.2 etc]like below, how to achieve it in DITA topic template

1.1 <Heading>

<description>

1.2 <Heading>

    1.2.1 <heading>

         <description>

       <paragraph>

1.2.2 <heading>

    <description>

  <figure>

<paragraph>

I see section tag, but i dont see any section numbering tag. Any immediate reply would be much helpful

Thanks,

Geetha

[Stefan-Gentz]

Not sure if you have noticed it, but you were replying to a thread from 2013 😉

Maybe you want to start a new thread instead.