Structured framemaker window does not maximize and other issues

[djv1889]

Dear All,

My questions concerns the use of FM11 & FM12 in Structured FrameMaker mode under Windows 8.1.

When FM is started in Structured mode I find that the FrameMaker window is a fraction of the size that it was when operating in Unstructured mode. When the FM (structured) window is maximized instead of the window occupying the full screen as expected it occupies only about 2/3 of the screen. The receptors of dialog buttons (e.g. the OK and CANCEL buttons) are not at the locations of the on screen drawings of the buttons. In short, the Structured FrameMaker interface is not functional. And to be clear the interface of the Unstructured version of the program works in the expected manner.

My reason for operating with Structured FrameMaker in the first place is to workaround a very serious deficiency in the Unstructured version of the program in which attempting to print a book to the Adobe PDF virtual printer causes FrameMaker to crash. Another gripe with FrameMaker is that the Save As PDF file option fails to properly render the document - typically incorrect fonts are used in the output PDF file, equations are clipped, etc. etc. It is this deficiency that means we must print to the Adobe PDF virtual printer.

We are also experiencing intermittent crashing of the program in versions 11 & 12 for no apparent reason whereas previously (version 7, 5.5) the program seemed to be more robust.

Are others experiencing a significant deterioration in the performance of FrameMaker in recent releases? Are you considering changing to a different program? If so, what programs are you considering?

Many thanks,

David.

[Arnis Gubins]

David,

FYI, the SaveAsPDF route also uses the AdobePDF printer instance, so some of the issues are due to selected output options and Distiller joboptions.  Also, both versions (structured and unstructured) use the same output mechanism independent of the interface.

The appearance of the interface is a function of the Workspace selected and any customization done by the user of that interface. You can create your own layouts and save them as required as a custom Workspace.

What did you select when you used the SaveAsPDF - RGB or CMYK? What joboptions file was specified?

Are you using any OTF Pro level or TTF WGL fonts? Is your joboptions file specifying that all fonts be embedded?