topics from third-tier maps are missing in final DITA-built FM doc

[Maryann8]

I'm using FM 8.0p277 on XP
No third-party tools.
All my dita files are broken down to the topic, concept, task, reference element level.
I'm now building an FM chapter from nested maps.

Problem
When I build an fm document from a DITA map (DITA / Build FM Document from Dita File),
the third-tier topic elements and their concept and task sub-elements (built from sub-sub maps) do not appear in my final FM document.
An error message briefly appears: "FM document generated from DITA Map, but with errors. Please refer to console for errors."
(I can't find this console.)
The FM document is built, but with missing elements.

For instance:
I build a mini map C: with topicrefs to one concept, and one task element wrapped in a topicref to a topic element (Turning off the machine).
(This becomes a sub-section of my chapter.)

Then I build an intermediate map B: with topicrefs to several concept elements and task elements, plus a topicref to mini map C, all wrapped in a topicref to a topic element (Safety Features).
(This maps a heading 2 level section of my chapter.)

Then I build the top map A: with topicrefs to four intermediate maps, including map B (linked to map c), these are all wrapped in a topicref to a topic (Saftety Topics).
(This becomes my Chapter fm document.)

Problem:
Everything comes in at the right order, except that the information from map C is missing.
FrameMaker 8.0 does not seem to be able to pull in the third-tier map's topics. (Three nests of mapped topics.)

Is that right?
Do I need to give up the idea of breaking info down to the lowest topic, concept, task, reference, and making these third-tier little mini-maps?

Note: each mini and intermediate map build into FM documents just fine.

[_Scott_Prentice_]

Hi Mary Ann...

It looks like this is a limitation of the "Build FM Document from DITA Map" command. When I try it I get the following message in the console window ..

DITA Map reference from a DITA Map is supported only for 1 nested level(s). Hence, the DITA Map reference C:\Test\dita\nestedmaps\sub1\sub1-sub1\subsub.ditamap cannot be expanded and included in the generated doucment.

You *should* see the console window as an additional item on the task bar or you should be able to Alt+Tab to it.

You can essentially get the same thing using the "Build FM DITA Book from DITA Map" command by creating a map with a single top-level topicref. This will create a book with a single FM file that will include all of your nested submaps.

Note that the default FM8 book-building feature may not properly reference files (conrefs, xrefs, or images) if you have a complex topic directory structure or if you try to build the book in a separate directory. DITA-FMx will properly create the book in other directories and will properly rebuild the references to files regardless (??) of the complexity of the topic directory structure.

Cheers,

...scott

Scott Prentice
Leximation, Inc.
www.leximation.com

[Maryann8]

Thanks for the quick response, Scott.
Because of all the recommendations, I always planned to purchase DITA-FMx at some point. I wanted to check out the limitations of FM DITA out of the box first. But looks like I need to move on sooner than I thought.
I understand that your latest edition allows me to use DITA 1.1 with FrameMaker 8. That's great.

Thanks for your help,
Mary Ann