What's the best way to copy a book?

[SharpAAA]

I want to SAVE AS to copy a book to new folder with new name, and have all the referenced graphics and text insets still linked. I am using FM 8 on Windows 7. Is there a good method to do this without purchasing a third-party plug-in?

Thanks,

Roger

[Arnis Gubins]

The easiest way would be to copy the folder and then rename the book file in the copied folder. Otherwise, doing a save as on the book file, just creates a new version of the book file with the component files still in the original location.

I would suggest that you have a look at Bruce Foster's Archive plug-in, see:

http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.foster/Archive.htm

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

You could try zipping it all up and moving it that way, but the best tool I ever heard recommended has been Bruce Foster's Archive plug-in (fairly cheap, as far as I know).

[Bob_Niland]

If all the referenced imports are UP and not down in the original directory,

AND the new directory is in the same parent dir, you can just copy

the .book and .fm component files to the new dir. We do this routinely,

because all imports are two levels up, then down.

You can also rename the .book file with no issues. However; rename the

.fm files from the book menu. We do this routinely.

But the safest way (without aftermarket tools) is:

• Open the book and all component files in the source dir.
• Save each component .fm file to the new dir, and close each after saving.
• Save the .book file to the new dir, and close.

Be sure to NOT do any saves in the original dir. You might even make a backup of the original files before starting the cloning.

The new copy of the .book is looking in the new local dir for the components.

The import references in the components were all adjusted on save, and point correctly.

[SharpAAA]

Thanks for all your replies.

I used Error7130's suggestion. I'm glad I made a backup first. One file got transferred to the new directory. I would add after your 3rd bullet, to close FM and re-open. Until I did that it opened the old book when I clicked on the new book. All in all, quite messy but it's done. Now I'm ready to buy third-party SW.

Has anyon tried SQUIDDS TOOLBOX? It looks like it is what used to be Systec Toolbox. They say:

'If you will decide for the feature “Book Transfer for FrameMaker 8” (99.00 USD).'

This keeps all the links but does not create copies of all the images and text insets like Bruce Foster's Archive plug-in that Arnis and Jeff suggested (I think).

http://www.squidds.de/en/service/download-technical-information.html

Thanks for comments

Roger

[Bob_Niland]

I would add after your 3rd bullet, to close FM and re-open.

Roger that.

All in all,  quite messy but it's done. Now I'm ready to buy third-party SW.

You don't know messy.

Try copying the unopened files to a different directory tier,

then renaming them with the file manager,

then opening the book file.

______

Had a co-worker do that.

Once.

[SharpAAA]

oohheee.

If I find a nice 3rd-party book copy tool I'll post about it for your co-worker.

[Maike_Roder]

Hi Roger,

The SYSTEC TOOLBOX and SQUIDDS TOOLBOX are the same. Georg was founder of SYSTEC and has also founded SQUIDDS. Since 2009, all Tools and Solutions for Document processes are concentrated in SQUIDDS.

The Book Transfer in TOOLBOX (for  FrameMaker 7, 8, or 9) and in FINALYSER (for FrameMaker 10) have the same functionality and you have more than one possibility:

1. You can copy all files of a book (.book, .fm and all referenced files) to a new directory
    or to different directories for .book/.fm and for the referenced files, like images and text insets.
2. You can copy the .book and .fm only and not the referenced files.
3. You can copy the .book and all .fm files to .mif and vice versa.

Let me know if you need more information.

- Maike

[SharpAAA]

Thanks, Maike. Glad to know it is the same trustworthy SW.  I plan on purchasing it even though I have come up with a set of instructions that work pretty well, the SW will save much time.

If anyone is interested:

TO COPY A BOOK IN FRAMEMAKER:

1. For each non-generated chapter file, do a Save As to a new folder but with the same name (for now).
2. Create a new book in the same new folder.
3. Manually add each chapter file to the new book.
4. Within the book, rename each chapter file (it should update all cross-refs).
5. Generate automated files such as Index and TOC, as apropos.
6. Copy formats from the original generated files to the new generated files.
7. Check that links go to the correct file, ESPECIALLY links on the Master pages.

Roger