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P
Phrone
Participant
November 4, 2009
Answered

FrameMaker FDK Developement - hints and tips needed

  • November 4, 2009
  • 1 reply
  • 3033 views

Hi.

I have looked around after information about how to develope with FrameMaker FDK, but I can't find any good examples for a FDK newbee.

Anyone that knows about some useful links where I can find information about how to get started?

I have tried google, but I couldn't find anything good.

Thanks,

Per

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Russ Ward

    If you need to create quick fixes to speed up production, then definitely investigate Framescript first. It's a complete IDE environment that lets you try things out iteratively. It has virtually all of the capabilities of the FDK and lets you access system resources as well. The documentation is extensive and there is a third-party tutorial book available from Rick Quatro at http://www.frameexpert.com

    There is an active group on Yahoo for this as well at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/framescript-users/

    Depending upon where you reside there also are some training classes available for this via Front-Runner Training in Toronto,

    see: http://www.front-runner.com/TrainingCategoryDetail.php?cid=76&catid=4&compid=1&pageNum_CategoryCourses=00


    Hi Per,

    There are no tutorials that I am aware of, and, complicating matters, the normal documentation has not kept pace with development. However, there are a large number of samples that install with the FDK. And, for what documentation there is, it is generally very good.

    I've given presentations on the FDK before. I don't know if it will help you any, but I have attached a PDF of some slides from one such presentation I did with Scott Prentice of Leximation.com at the FrameMaker 2008 Chautauqua conference.

    I agree with what others have said about FrameScript. It is easier to get started and develop than the FDK. However, note that the deployment of scripts can be less convenient and will be considerably more expensive. Anyone who wants to run a script must have FrameScript installed. If I'm reading the FrameScript.com site correctly, it would cost around $20,000 USD to equip 200 workstations with FrameScript. Conversely, an FDK-based API client costs nothing to deploy and the FDK itself is also free.

    Russ

    1 reply

    M
    m_m_anthony
    Participant
    November 5, 2009

    You don't say what you are trying to accomplish. You might want to look at Framescript by ElmSoft. It is essentially a scripting language on top of the FDK.  Good way to get familiar without the overhead of the kit.

    M

    P
    PhroneAuthor
    Participant
    November 6, 2009

    Thanks for your reply.

    I don't know exactly what I will do. 

    I work as system designer for a company with >200 technical writers and they sometimes asks if I can create plugins for them to speed things up in there daily work.

    R
    Russ WardCorrect answer
    Legend
    November 6, 2009

    If you need to create quick fixes to speed up production, then definitely investigate Framescript first. It's a complete IDE environment that lets you try things out iteratively. It has virtually all of the capabilities of the FDK and lets you access system resources as well. The documentation is extensive and there is a third-party tutorial book available from Rick Quatro at http://www.frameexpert.com

    There is an active group on Yahoo for this as well at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/framescript-users/

    Depending upon where you reside there also are some training classes available for this via Front-Runner Training in Toronto,

    see: http://www.front-runner.com/TrainingCategoryDetail.php?cid=76&catid=4&compid=1&pageNum_CategoryCourses=00


    Hi Per,

    There are no tutorials that I am aware of, and, complicating matters, the normal documentation has not kept pace with development. However, there are a large number of samples that install with the FDK. And, for what documentation there is, it is generally very good.

    I've given presentations on the FDK before. I don't know if it will help you any, but I have attached a PDF of some slides from one such presentation I did with Scott Prentice of Leximation.com at the FrameMaker 2008 Chautauqua conference.

    I agree with what others have said about FrameScript. It is easier to get started and develop than the FDK. However, note that the deployment of scripts can be less convenient and will be considerably more expensive. Anyone who wants to run a script must have FrameScript installed. If I'm reading the FrameScript.com site correctly, it would cost around $20,000 USD to equip 200 workstations with FrameScript. Conversely, an FDK-based API client costs nothing to deploy and the FDK itself is also free.

    Russ

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