Update 5 for FrameMaker (September 2022 release) is now available!

[Nandini Krishna]

Hi All,

We are pleased to share that the Update 5 for FrameMaker (September  2022 release) with Version: 17.0.5.725 is now available.

Update 5 of FrameMaker (September 2022 release) includes critical security fixes, library upgrades, and improvements to the AEM Connector and HTML publishing. 

For a complete list of fixed issues, visit the Fixed issues article.

Updated User Guide - HTML | PDF

Note - Due to library updates, a new  FDK is also being released. Custom plugins will need to be recompiled using this new FDK.  It can be downloaded from this page. 

Please let us know in case of any questions/issues.

Thanks,

FrameMaker Team

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Frame vs InDesign depends on the features you need and the type of document you are creating. Each has its advantages. For example, Frame's books are head-and-shoulders over InDesign's, but InDesign's book is functional. InDesign's table features are much better than Frame's. Both have variables, but InDesign's can wrap at the end of a line. The list goes on.

I've attached an old PDF I put together that compares the two. Keep in mind it does not take into account any new features. 

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

Please unpin this and instead announce the release of 17.0.6

[frameexpert]

Are downloads still available for earlier versions of FrameMaker, like 2019?

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Maybe only in your Adobe ID or volume licensing portal I suspect.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Are downloads still available for earlier versions of FrameMaker, like 2019?

By @frameexpert

Rick--message me (or email me). I have an archive of a few older versions--some just FrameMaker and some the TCS.

[IsleofGough]

Downloads are available but Adobe Tech communications support says they cannot deal with activations anymore. They offer no licensing support for older versions and say you need to get on the rental plan. This for me is a deal breaker and I'll be migrating away from FM and Adobe in general.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

This subscription-only process started back in 2019 and included more purchase methods as time when on, so it's not new. 

I started subscribing early on since I upgrade on a regular basis. For example, I believe a Frame license cost around $1070 US when it was available. If you divide that by the $40 US subscription price, you get over 2 years. Of course, if you upgrade less frequently, the savings diminish. One major benefit if the subscription is one never has to buy an upgrade again.

BTW, since most users have Acrobat Pro, you can get the Technical Communication Suite for about $50 US. It includes FrameMaker, Acrobat Pro, Captivate, and RoboHelp. Even if you use only Frame and Acrobat, it is a cost savings.

[IsleofGough]

That subscription price is per month.

[IsleofGough]

At $400 per year, for the last five years, I am not sure if anything has been improved sufficiently for an upgrade much less a maintenance. For Adobe, perpetual means a couple of years apparently.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Is the $400 you quote for a maintenance contract? If so, that's not very far off from a yearly subscription of $480. 

I _think_ they only support the current version and one version back now on most of their software. But I'm not positive.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Correct--I should have mentioned that. 

$1070/$40=26.75 months.

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

Please unpin this announcement, and announce the 17.0.6 version instead.