FrameMaker versions

[byrdye]

Situation: I'm going to do some FM work for a client, they're in FM 7.2 (which I own). However, my current installation is the Tech Comm suite with RH 7, FM 8, and whatever version of Acrobat is in that suite (can't remember which at the moment, and I'm at client site working on their equipment and can't check).

Is there backwards/forwards compatibility between FM 7.2 and 8? If not, can I install my FM 7.2 without having to uninstall the Tech Comm suite - and have them play nice together?

Thanks!

Jo Byrd

[Arnis Gubins]

Jo,

Multiple versions of FM can coexist. If you install the 7.2 version now, then the file associations will point to that version when you double click on any FM files. Also, do not install the PDF creation option if you already have a version of Acrobat installed.

With FM8, you can open any FM7.x file and you can also explicitly save as a FM7.0 document. Just be careful not to use any unicode features and you should be ok.

[Art_Campbell1]

Ditto Arnis' comments, with one minor Gotcha: FM 8 supports Unicode characters and fonts; 7 does not.

If you or your clients use lots of exotic symbols, euro-accented characters, or other interesting glyphs, you may have a problem moving the files back and forth. Otherwise you shouldn't have any problems.

Art

[byrdye]

Thanks, guys, that's what I needed to know. I'll have to find out from the client if they use unicode, etc., but it looks like I may just be able to update their docs with my version 8 and do a Save As to keep it in their version. That'll be handy.

Thanks again for your prompt response.

Jo