FrameMaker vs InDesign

[brianlethert]

I will probably end up needing both, but right now I would like to focus on one or the other. I write aviation manuals and would like an alternative to MS Word, which so far is working fairly well for me.

My typical project is 100-150 pages. I don't have many cross-references or need to reference between manuals.

My question is this: Will InDesign function in a way that will give me the basic word-processing features with headers and footers that can change with each page (for varying revision date and #), or will I need to replace Word with FM?

I will be posting this question on the InDesign forum as well.

thanks,

brian

[peter minneapolis]

brianlethert wrote:

I will probably end up needing both, but right now I would like to focus on one or the other. I write aviation manuals and would like an alternative to MS Word, which so far is working fairly well for me.

My typical project is 100-150 pages. I don't have many cross-references or need to reference between manuals.

My question is this: Will InDesign function in a way that will give me the basic word-processing features with headers and footers that can change with each page (for varying revision date and #), or will I need to replace Word with FM?

I will be posting this question on the InDesign forum as well.

thanks,

brian

Do you have any experience with FrameMaker or InDesign? If so, how do they seem to offer some things that MS Word does not? Do you need to exchange files or collaborate with other authors who use FM, ID, or MSW?

To answer your question, yes InDesign can do the same kind of running headers and footers that Word and FrameMaker can do.

Search Google for terms like "framemaker indesign aviation," "framemaker indesign aviation manuals," "framemaker InDesign aviation documentation," "FrameMaker InDesign aviation training materials," "jeppesen aviation documentation FrameMaker," and similar phrases, without quotes for more results.

Also, ask specifically on both forums whether anyone has experience creating and maintaining aviation manuals with the three - FrameMaker, InDesign, and MS Word - and if so, if they have anything to share about the wisdom or regrets of using one or the other.

HTH

Regards,

Peter
_______________________
Peter Gold
KnowHow ProServices

[Guest]

First of all, how much do you work with graphics?

I like the features of InDesign for graphics-heavy content. You have almost unlimited control of page design, layout, and structure. The master pages are very easy to use and creating PDFs is pretty straight forward. I haven't done any *intense* numbering with InDesign (like numbering a series of figures in chapters). I have never indexed using InDesign--don't know how well that would work out for you.

FrameMaker is designed to do what you are seeking to do. You will be able to write structured documents. Numbering, headings, etc. are easy to keep up with. I get frustrated with FrameMaker's inability to do white text on colored backgrounds (company style). The fact that you can make sweeping changes to long documents quickly is really nice (i.e. rearrange chapters w/o hand numbering everything, hoping page #s work, etc.) I also find the graphics controls a little trickier in FM, although they are perfectly fine after you adapt. Reference pages, formulas, etc. all make this program nice for writing manuals.

Currently, I'm working on some manuals in Word. A huge word of caution: You will have to copy/paste special into FrameMaker, especially if you've been using Word styles (do not use the import function, I've had bad experience with this). This means that you will have to manually reformat every single thing. Copy/paste functions into InDesign are easier, however you'll also find yourself reformatting everything.

Personally, I found FrameMaker more frustrating to work with than InDesign initially. FrameMaker has some significant advantages, though. Just be sure you acquire a list of formulas for complicated numbering systems (chapter/section headers, etc.). If you choose InDesign be aware that you will control many figure labels, etc. manually. Also, InDesign's interface suffers fewer freezes and crashes than Word and FM. Sorry for the long-winded reply.

My background:

I write documentation for a software company. Currently, I maintain  manuals in RoboHelp, FrameMaker (to a lesser extent), and Microsoft Word. I also use InDesign/PhotoShop/Illustrator to create product guides, flyers, posters, and marketing materials.

[peter minneapolis]

bt_users wrote:

First of all, how much do you work with graphics?

I like the features of InDesign for graphics-heavy content. You have almost unlimited control of page design, layout, and structure. The master pages are very easy to use and creating PDFs is pretty straight forward. I haven't done any *intense* numbering with InDesign (like numbering a series of figures in chapters). I have never indexed using InDesign--don't know how well that would work out for you.

FrameMaker is designed to do what you are seeking to do. You will be able to write structured documents. Numbering, headings, etc. are easy to keep up with. I get frustrated with FrameMaker's inability to do white text on colored backgrounds (company style). The fact that you can make sweeping changes to long documents quickly is really nice (i.e. rearrange chapters w/o hand numbering everything, hoping page #s work, etc.) I also find the graphics controls a little trickier in FM, although they are perfectly fine after you adapt. Reference pages, formulas, etc. all make this program nice for writing manuals.

Currently, I'm working on some manuals in Word. A huge word of caution: You will have to copy/paste special into FrameMaker, especially if you've been using Word styles (do not use the import function, I've had bad experience with this). This means that you will have to manually reformat every single thing. Copy/paste functions into InDesign are easier, however you'll also find yourself reformatting everything.

Personally, I found FrameMaker more frustrating to work with than InDesign initially. FrameMaker has some significant advantages, though. Just be sure you acquire a list of formulas for complicated numbering systems (chapter/section headers, etc.). If you choose InDesign be aware that you will control many figure labels, etc. manually. Also, InDesign's interface suffers fewer freezes and crashes than Word and FM. Sorry for the long-winded reply.

My background:

I write documentation for a software company. Currently, I maintain  manuals in RoboHelp, FrameMaker (to a lesser extent), and Microsoft Word. I also use InDesign/PhotoShop/Illustrator to create product guides, flyers, posters, and marketing materials.

It would be helpful to mention the specific versions of the applications you're discussing, especially when describing what works better, worse, or not at all compared to the other.

For example, InDesign CS4.x and later can number with all the power of FrameMaker, and probably more reliably than MSWord, but what you learn in one application to accomplish complex numbering schemes isn't always directly translatable to accomplishing the same in the others. So, different, yes; frustrating to "get," yes; superior/inferior, only if it can or can't accomplish what you need.

I overlooked noting that InDesign running header text variables can't capture paragraph auto-numbering, as FrameMaker can, nor can InDesign's text variables wrap around line endings, as FrameMaker's can. I haven't looked at MSWord's text variables since many releases, and my memory for those older versions isn't accurate.

Regarding MSW source material for InDesign: there are free checklists, suggestions, and scripts available. Search Google for terms like "InDesign importing from Microsoft Word," "InDesign placing Microsoft Word," and similar terms, without quotes.

HTH

Regards,

Peter

_______________________

Peter Gold

KnowHow ProServices

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

@bt_users - FWIW there's a tweak you can do to your maker.ini that allows you to "regular" paste text from Word to FM without having to paste special to avoid copying all the formatting - you just re-arrange the order that stuff is pasted in the ClipboardFormatsPriorities= line.