Help creating and using a Framemaker 10 template in Robohelp 9

[dhalweg]

I am new to the Technical Communication Suite. I have never used Robohelp.

The project I am talking about here is creating an epubs file from a Framemaker 10 book using Robohelp 9.

I start by linking to the Framemaker 10 book that I want to publish as an epub file. I am able to go through all the steps correctly, but my epubs file contains header and footer information that I do not want to show up on the epubs version.

I know I need to do something by creating a Framemaker template and then using that template when I import the Framemaker files into Robohelp 9, but I am just unsure as to what information that template should contain?

Can any of you help walk me through the process? Thank you in advance for your time.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Is the header/footer info in FM or is it coming from RH master pages? If FM, you could use conditional text to "hide" it when it gets pulled into RH

OR

you could mark it as conditional in FM and then filter it out when you generate the help output.

[dhalweg]

The headings and footers are in the Framemaker file.

When I am in Robohelp 9, I first go to File, then Link, Framemaker document. I select the Framemaker book I want to link to.

Next I can select File, Project Settings. When that screen comes up, there is a selection to "Apply Framemaker Template." I believe this is what I need to be using. I am just not sure what information the template should contain? I am just completely unsure about WHAT the template should contain? I mean what will happen to my Framemaker book when it has the template applied?

I just wish there was good documentation available for learning some of this.

Thank you for your response. Any help is appreciated.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Ok, the question is how are they in the FM file? Are they something that comes from the Master Page or are they in the Body page? Can you conditionalize them?

The option to apply a FM template is just one way of applying consistent formatting to your RH topics; it's not required, only optional. Nothing happens to the FM book when using one - only the RH topic is affected. Here's another resource on it - http://blog.roundpeg.com/blog/controlling-robohelp-output-with-a-framemaker-template/

You've actually posted in the wrong forum - this FM to RH stuff is covered in the FM Integration threads. For resources, check out the Adobe Tech Comm team's blog - http://blogs.adobe.com/techcomm/

[dhalweg]

In this particular Framemaker book, the word Date: is on the master page and the dates themselves are on the body pages. Each page has to have its own date because when the pages are revised, you have to be able to change the date on just the effected pages.

I am sorry I am in the wrong forum. I do however appreciate the help you have provided me with. I will check out both of the items you posted.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

So are both the Date: text and the actual date coming over into RH? On my docs, I've got a running H/F defined in the Master page that appears in the FM file, but doesn't come over to RH, so I know it can be done.

[dhalweg]

I spoke too soon.

I have right and left pages. I have Rev Right, Rev Left, Date Right, and Date Left. These are ALL on the body pages, not on the master pages.

The Rev Right and Rev Left paratags both use autonumber format to enter the "Revision:" into the document. The word "original" is just typed in as this is the first release of the book.

Then I have  Date Right and Date Left paratags that use the autonumber format to enter the "Date:" into the document. The actual date is then typed into the document.

So that is why I was thinking I could create a template that would not use these paratags.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Well, you could try it out - take one of your docs and make a copy. Strip off all the stuff that you don't want to see appear in RH and try using it as your template document in RH.

[dhalweg]

The template idea is working fairly well so far. Now the problem I have is the autonumber that is used for the chapter numbers. So when I apply the template, every chapter in my book comes out as Chapter 11. I think this is just going to take some time to figure out unless someone else has come across this.

These forums are awesome though! It is so nice to know there are others out there to contact when you have a problem.