Steps Lost in Adobe FrameMaker 12

Report · Apr 14, 2015

I keep trying to insert steps in FrameMaker 12 (I am documenting features using a DITA XML file), but my efforts are useless. Every time I save the file, exit FrameMaker, and reopen the file in FrameMaker, my steps are lost. It just goes back to paragraph mode. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Report · Apr 15, 2015

Are you working in Structured FM mode?

Report · Apr 15, 2015

Yes. Well, whenever I go into FrameMaker, it says that it is structured. Do I need to do anything else to make it more structured?

Report · Apr 15, 2015

No, just that you posted your question in the Unstructured FM forum.

Report · Apr 15, 2015

Oh. I didn't even realize that. Sorry. I'll move it over to the structured forum.

[Moved by forum moderator]

Report · Apr 15, 2015

I'm not sure what you mean by "goes back to paragraph mode" .. can you explain in more detail what you're doing? Is it just the "steps" element that is causing trouble? Are you able to create/save/close/open files with other types of DITA content? Do you have the latest FM12 patch installed?

...scott

Report · Apr 15, 2015

I am documenting features of FrameMaker for a class. The steps element works, but it doesn't save; it just reverts to the paragraph element after I save and exit FrameMaker. After a more thorough review, I realized that bolded text doesn't save, either. For instance, if I bold certain words, after I reopen the file, the words revert to plain text. I can create/save/open/close files okay, and the text remains intact; it's just the elements and the style (e.g. keeping text in bold) that's giving me problems. I do not know if I have the latest patch downloaded. I just purchased the program after doing a 30-day trial. I purchased the software last week, and started the 30-day trial a little more than a month ago.

Report · Apr 15, 2015

I don't mean to be critical, but I think that you may want to do some reading up on working in the FrameMaker structured interface. It's very different than working with unstructured content. First, you can't apply "formatting" to content .. if you're trying to apply "bold" formatting, then you're doing it wrong. It's all about elements, not styles. I'm guessing that you're using FrameMaker incorrectly, and that's the cause of the problems you're seeing. It's hard to know what you're doing, but if you take the time to do a bit of learning it'll be much less frustrating.

Here's a good overview video ..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN3LGAAxx5o

Check out this book (also by Bernard from the video .. these just came up first in a Google search). It's written for FM9 and is only the first 5 chapters, but it's got some useful information about the fundamentals of working in structured FrameMaker ..

http://www.publishingsmarter.com/resources/books-and-articles/framemaker

Also, if you just installed a trial, you are likely not using the latest patch. It's important that you install the updates. Use the Check for Updates menu item to get the latest.

Cheers,

...scott