How to roundtrip drawings maintained in FrameMaker

[geldevik]

Hi all,

I have a book of > 1000 pages, containing > 1000 drawings.

Currently, the book source is maintained as FrameMaker files, and all drawings are maintained within these files. So far, XML is only used as an output format together with GIF images.

My goal is to use XML as source, but this raises the question of how to handle the graphics.

Is it possible to export drawings internal to FrameMaker when saving to XML and later open the XML book, retaining the graphics internally?

I have tried doing this via CGM files, but it seems that the graphics are imported by reference only.

Before investigating this further I would very much appreciate input on whether or not this is possible.

Any ideas?

Best Regards,

Gunnar Eldevik

[Michael_Müller-Hillebrand]

Gunnar,

From FrameMaker’s out-of-the-box point-of-view each anchored frame is an object which may contain nearly everything. For the purpose of XML output the product has two options:

a) the anchored frame contains exactly one (1) referenced graphic and no (zero) other graphic objects: FrameMaker can be instructed to output a single file reference.

b) all other situations: When saving as XML FrameMaker creates a single object in a selectable format (GIF, CGM, PNG..) to represent the content of the anchored frame. You loose the editability and in many cases also display quality.

The second situation can be overcome by programming. By creating a "structure client" you can handle the contents of anchored frames however you like and create the necessary XML. I have done this in a project, and it is an option if there exists a convincing business case. In many situation it makes more sense to implement a separate graphic editing workflow, which may have advantages as well.

- Michael

[geldevik]

Michael,

Thank you very much for your answer.

My conclusion from the answer is that there is no easy way to roundtrip and continue to maintain FM drawings inside FM.

BTW, do you (anyone) believe that there might be possible to edit (ungroup) exported CGM files with an external editor?

Thanks,

--Gunnar

[Michael_Müller-Hillebrand]

Gunnar,

A search for "CGM Editor" brings up a lot of promising links. I would also read the Wikipedia entry

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Graphics_Metafile

and I would assume that FrameMaker supports only the 1992 version of that format. At least I have not heard anyone using this in Technical Communications, but of course I do not hear everything. This might be a factor in your decision if it makes sense to go the »CGM way«.

- Michael

[geldevik]

Michael,

The reason for considering CGM in the first place is that apparently, CGM supports vector graphics.

If it is the case that FM groups all my graphical objects inside my anchored frame and exports it as one object, I assume that I wouldn't be able to edit it anyway in any format or with any editor, right?

--Gunnar

[Michael_Müller-Hillebrand]

Gunnar, I can’t help you with that decision since I have never done anything with the CGM format (as far as I can remember). - Michael

[Van Kurtz]

Gunnar,

Your original post states that the drawings are all imported by reference. This indicates that the drawings exist as separate files and are NOT IN the FrameMaker files. On the other hand, you mention maintaining the drawings internally in FrameMaker. This contradicts "imported by reference." Do you really want the drawings to be contained inside the FrameMaker files. If so, your FrameMaker files are going to be very large.

I suggest taking Michael's first suggestion: keep the drawings as files separate from the Frame files and keep them imported by reference. Then your XML output contains the referencing information, that is the name and location of the drawing files. When you open the XML files in FrameMaker, your drawings will appear in place. This workflow keeps your FrameMaker files a reasonable size and eliminates any degradation (such as resolution changes) of the drawings; the drawings remain as they were created.

Van

[geldevik]

Van,

I might have expressed myself a little vagely here.

The case is that my drawings are currently in FM format in FM book files and I wanted to roundtrip the files through XML and back.

--Gunnar