Structured Product Labeling (SPL) in FrameMaker 9

[_Ernest_Schipman_]

Ok, I am very new to the FrameMaker environment and need some help. I purchased FrameMaker 9 to creat structured product labeling with. The FDA is now requiring all product labels be submitted to them in SPL format which is a form of XML. According to the Adobe Lifesciences website they have a solution using Adobe FrameMaker (http://www.adobe.com/lifesciences/)and (http://www.adobe.com/lifesciences/pdfs/structured_product_labeling_sb.pdf)

I've worked with the FrameMaker support team and have downloaded the SPL Schema and SPL Style Sheets from the FDA Website (http://www.fda.gov/oc/datacouncil/spl.html) but have no idea how to use this in FrameMaker to create the label like that shown in (http://www.adobe.com/lifesciences/pdfs/structured_product_labeling_sb.pdf)

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[frameexpert]

Hi Ernest,

There are several things you need to do to get set up.

1) Convert the Schema to a DTD.
2) Create an EDD (Element Definition Document) which will contain formatting information for the FrameMaker documents.
3) Create a structured application so you can import and export XML.
4) Create a FrameMaker template which will be the basis for the FrameMaker documents.

If you want to spend some time talking about the process, I can talk to you via phone tomorrow or when it is convenient. If you are interested, please contact me offlist. Thanks.

Rick Quatro
rick at frameexpert dot com
585-659-8267

[Russ Ward]

Ernest,

To add to Rick's comments, I'd like to summarize that you need an extensive increase in FrameMaker skills to pull this off... it's not something anyone here can help you with by posting a few tips. You'll either need to spend some weeks or months learning and building this yourself or pay someone else to set it up for you. FrameMaker is a powerful and versatile tool, but the task you have indicated represents some of the more complex functionality that the product offers.

Russ

[Ian Proudfoot]

Hi Ernest,

I can probably help with the SPL application. I developed the FrameMaker SPL application for Adobe in 2006. It supports SPL2a in FrameMaker 7.2. However I have tried it in FrameMaker 8 and 9 with identical results.

If you would like to discuss this further please contact me at

ian.proudfoot at itp-x dot co.uk

Regards
Ian

Ian Proudfoot
iTP-X

Adobe Community Expert