Pattern Stream Automated Publishing

[lsk2002]

I have asked a little about this before. We want to use FM to produce a parts catalog. After some reading, I

came about the Pattern Stream Automated Publishing product. It looks pretty impressive, especially since I don't

do scripts.....ect. We use Access as our data base and this looks like a good tool...course I am sure a major

learning curve.

Has anyone used it? If so, how hard is it to learn? The catalog I read, of course didn't look to bad, but you never know.

Thanks!

ls

[Arnis Gubins · Accepted solution]

PatternStream is a powerful product and will do a parts catalogue quite well.

Another product to consider is Datazone's Miramo (see: http://www.miramo.com), which is currently running a beta for a "Personal Edition" to work with FM10. The PE will have all the functionality of the full paid-for version. The restriction is on the number of concurrent processes (i.e. jobs) and the fact that you have to use it in a desktop setting instead of a server environment (and hence don't need to purchase a FrameServer license - as you might have to with PatternStream as well depending upon how the application is driven).

There is an database publishing with FM overview paper (a b it dated) by Max Dunn available at:

http://wwwimages.adobe.com/www.adobe.com/content/dam/Adobe/en/devnet/framemaker/pdfs/fm_databasepub.pdf

This would give you an idea of what's involved with both products.

[lsk2002]

Thanks so much!!! I will get to reading! Just needed to see what was out there!! Will let you know what we decide.

ls

[lsk2002]

Arnis,

I just looked up the miramo product...GEEEE that is expensive!!! Pattern Stream didn't have a price, so I emailed them for it.

What do you mean by "The PE will have all the functionality of the full paid-for version. The restriction is on the number of concurrent processes (i.e. jobs) and the fact that you have to use it in a desktop setting instead of a server environment (and hence don't need to purchase a FrameServer license - as you might have to with PatternStream as well depending upon how the application is driven)."

What is PE? I saw there was a Pre Miramo and a Miramo, but really didn't understand it. Sorry for my questions. Just trying to figure out how we are going to get this done,

Thanks!!

ls

[Arnis Gubins]

The Miramo PE (Personal Edition) will be a "freebie" product (just like Datazone's DZbatcher tool) that can be used in a desktop environment. Otherwise, Miramo and PatternStream are similarily priced (and are geared to server type applications - and price tags), i.e. you're expected to have somewhat deeper pockets...

The PE version is every bit as powerful as the server version, but it limits you to running no more than two jobs concurrently on a PC. It is not meant for full automation/remote job submission types of environments, consequently you won't need a FM Server license either. AFAIK, PatternStream isn't available in a similar configuration.

Note: you could also accomplish a lot of what you want with a well-crafted structured application in FM and XML tagged output from Access. However, the intermediate processing available with Miramo either through the internal macro language or XSLT coupled with automatic API triggering (i.e. FrameScript, ExtendScript or custom plug-ins) provides an extremely flexible and powerful workflow.

For more info on Miramo's capability you could contact Sheila Carlisle through her website: http://www.axialinfo.com

[peter_minneapolis]

lsk2002 wrote:

I have asked a little about this before. We want to use FM to produce a parts catalog. After some reading, I

came about the Pattern Stream Automated Publishing product. It looks pretty impressive, especially since I don't

do scripts.....ect. We use Access as our data base and this looks like a good tool...course I am sure a major

learning curve.

Has anyone used it? If so, how hard is it to learn? The catalog I read, of course didn't look to bad, but you never know.

Thanks!

ls

I'm not trying to move you away from FrameMaker and Miramo or Patternstream. I just thought you might want to know about other options, depending on what you find out about FrameMaker's options.

InDesign has built-in data-merge ability. Some folks use it for publishing catalogs. Depending on your needs, it might or might not suit.

Patternstream also works with InDesign.

There are several other third-party InDesign plug-ins for variable-data publishing.

Other folks use InDesign's built-in XML abilities.

Search Google for terms like "InDesign xml data variable data publishing" without quotes for resources.

HTH

Regards,

Peter
_______________________
Peter Gold
KnowHow ProServices

[lsk2002]

Thanks! We do have InDesign and I have used it. It would be no problem to update to

CS5 if needed. But, my question to you is...Our parts catalog would be 1000 or more pages. Will InDesign handle

that large of a document using Access and graphics? I am new to this. In the past we used Interleaf for our catalog, but

I wasn't the one that was the guru and have no idea about how it was done, other than pulling from Access and

parts pictures into the Interleaf document.

I have produced one very large document with Indesign, but it was just in the form of a basic 30 chapter book and just placing graphics where needed. It

wasn't database merging...ect.

Thanks for any advice!!

ls

[peter_minneapolis]

lsk2002 wrote:

Thanks! We do have InDesign and I have used it. It would be no problem to update to

CS5 if needed. But, my question to you is...Our parts catalog would be 1000 or more pages. Will InDesign handle

that large of a document using Access and graphics? I am new to this. In the past we used Interleaf for our catalog, but

I wasn't the one that was the guru and have no idea about how it was done, other than pulling from Access and

parts pictures into the Interleaf document.

I have produced one very large document with Indesign, but it was just in the form of a basic 30 chapter book and just placing graphics where needed. It

wasn't database merging...ect.

Thanks for any advice!!

ls

I haven't done any catalog publishing with either FrameMaker or InDesign. However, just as you asked here on the FrameMaker forum, ask on the InDesign forum for comments from those who have experience with the various methods and tools - XML, Em Software's product, and InDesign's built-in data merge.

HTH

Regards,

Peter

_______________________

Peter Gold

KnowHow ProServices

[lsk2002]

Thanks Peter, I will look into that. I posted a question on the other forum. I found a

neat program called Easy Catalog. Ever heard of it?

Arnis, I went to that site and emailed about the personal edition. I couldn't find it anywhere.

Thanks for all the help information!!

Am hoping to figure a way to do this that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and doesn't have all the scripting ect. involved...

ls

[ArnisG]

As I mentioned in the original reply, the Personal Edition is presently in beta testing. Hence, there is no information currently posted on the site. I just wanted to make you aware of current developments that might influence any potential licensing considerations.

[Tiggyboo1]

We've used patternstream for years.  The learning curve can be steep, and the GUI has it's foibles, but it's largely a solid product with friendly support.  We print a 1000+ page document 4 times a year along with numerous other small reports.  A couple of things to be aware of:

-- get the scoop on document efficiencies before you start.  Just following the book answer will make it work, but exponentially slower if you don't know best practice.

-- if you rig up desktop copies of Framemaker to work in a server like capacity with Patternstream - which is really a natural fit for the product -- you might be running  into license issues with Adobe.  Odds are you need the server product sitting on the box, even if it isn't doing anything.

Hope this helps.