links from structured Frame file to a pdf

[Rhea.Douville]

I see a lot of confusing information about how to create a link in your structured Frame file to a pdf file. I've tried several different approaches and none seem to work. One topic mentioned inserting a hypertext element in a prepared area, but I can't find any information about how to prepare that area, nor could I find information about when a hypertext element is available and valid for use. I also tried inserting as an xref with a relative path, and attempted to add the pdf to the ditamap and other embarrassing ideas.

What is the best, easiest way to have an external pdf open from a pdf generated from structured frame file?

[Rhea.Douville]

I would like to use an external xref - and tried that with the format and scope attributes set to pdf and external.

[ScottPrentice]

Hi Rhea...

You'll need to be more specific about what you're trying to do. You're saying that you want to link to a PDF from a structured Frame file, but then you're using terms that sound like you're using DITA. The way you'd link to a PDF is very different if you're using "structured Frame files" (binary FM files that are structured) versus DITA XML files (which can be edited using the structured FrameMaker interface, but are typically not referred to as structured Frame files). Also, are you really trying to link from the source file (whatever it is) to a PDF, or do you want the resulting PDF generated from that source file, to have a link that opens a PDF? Again, those are different situations.

If you can clarify these things, I think you'll probably get more help with your question.

Cheers,

...scott

[Rhea.Douville]

Thank you so much. I am using DITA and editing in structured FrameMaker mode. I want the .xml file to link to an already generated pdf in the same directory. This seems like it should be very basic, but we are very new to DITA and I often find the manuals assume knowledge that we just don't have.

I can't even figure out how to make URL links blue and underlined to look like links, which is another, I'm sure, very basic and simple thing that speaks to our collective inexperience with DITA.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Rhea

[ScottPrentice]

To link to a PDF on your system, you'd create an xref with the href attribute set to "path/file.pdf", the scope attribute set to "external", and the format attribute set to "pdf". Just insert an "xref" element, then in the dialog that displays, choose the "External Xref" button. This should let you enter the path and filename. You may need to set the format attribute manually.

Note that this won't actually provide you with a link in the XML file that opens the PDF; that's not the intent. When you generate output (PDF, HTML, etc.) from the map and topics, the xref *should* become a link that opens the PDF. Note that in order for the link to work, you'll need to make sure the PDF is actually at the proper relative location the link is targeting. If your href is "filename.pdf", then the PDF file should be copied to the same folder as the generated output. If you have xrefs that point to "external" files via a relative path, you have to keep track of them so you can assemble all the pieces properly.

As for making your URL links blue, you do that by editing the template(s) for the structure application(s) you're using. If you don't know what a structure application is, you'll want to read up on that .. it's a very important and fundamental concept for working with XML in FrameMaker. The FM docs have info about this, and here's an article I wrote a while back that focuses on it as well ..

     http://blog.leximation.com/2012/01/framemaker-edd-template-rules-–-what-is-all-that-and-how-does-it-...

Cheers,

...scott