Better to translate Framemaker files or RoboHelp files?

[Capt_Janeway]

Hi,

I am creating content in Framemaker (in DITA) for an online help system. When the content is ready, I will push it to RoboHelp to create the online help system. The content will need to be localized in two other languages besides US English. My question is, would it be better to send the English version Framemaker files to the translation company, and then push the returned localized files to RoboHelp? Or would it be better to push the English version FrameMaker content to RoboHelp first, and then send the English version RoboHelp files to the translation company? Would there be pros and cons for each method? I think I'm leaning toward sending the RoboHelp files to translation. Maybe that way would be easier. What do you think?

Thanks.

[Mark Southee]

Are you publishing the DITA content from FrameMaker to PDF?

I have just started a similar process with an unstructered FM project. As we require both PDF and Help to be translated, I've been told by one translation company that translating the FM content first, then linking to a local version of RoboHelp will be the most cost effective.

Mark

[Capt_Janeway]

Oh, that is interesting. I hadn't considered that. I would want PDF versions for each localization. Hmm, but I could also generate PDFs for each localization in RoboHelp. Although the RoboHelp PDF might not be as nice as the FrameMaker PDF. I will have to experiment and give it some thought. And I'll have to talk to the translation company at some point, but I want to explore the possibilities a bit more on my own before I talk to them.

Thanks for the response.

[izumi_AA]

Hi,

I do the very similar process with unstructured FM projects. If you need to revise/update manual in the future (not one-time project), translating FM files first and linking them to RH project to create online help is much better. You can keep cross-references and markers from FM files, and graphic conversion function on TCS 3.5 is great to handle with captions.

Also you can compare files/books to save translation cost in the future.

Yuhiko