conditional build settings not working for default TOC

[gingeroni]

TCS 3.5

I am building WebHelp output from FM 10 content, and I am generating the output from FM. (I am generating the output from FM because I also have RH apply a FM template before importing to change fonts for WebHelp output and if I try to generate output directly from RH, RH does not apply my FM template.)

I use a conditional build expression in RH and the text is correct, but my TOC contains entries for section headings that should not appear based on the conditions. I am using the default TOC. My WebHelp Primary Output > Content > Content<Default> > Table of Contents is set to <Default Table Of Contents>.

I also tried using the RH Project Settings > Import settings to use the condition settings from the FM file. I was careful to build an actual expression in FM (Show as per Expression), but when I tried this my RH output did not have any conditions applied.

Should I stick with setting conditions in the RH project and use a different method to generate my TOC?

Or should I try to get the condition settings in FM to work with RH? Something else?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

...I am building WebHelp output from FM 10 content, and I am generating the output from FM. (I am generating the output from FM because I also have RH apply a FM template before importing to change fonts for WebHelp output and if I try to generate output directly from RH, RH does not apply my FM template.

It sounds like you need to apply the same FM template in the linked RH project, using the File > Project Settings dialog

I am building WebHelp output from FM 10 content, and I am generating the output from FM. (I am generating the output from FM because I also have RH apply a FM template before importing to change fonts for WebHelp output and if I try to generate output directly from RH, RH does not apply my FM template.)

It sounds like you need to set the RH project to recognize the  Conditional Text view settings in FM, regenerate your FM book, and then update from the RH project, i.e. you need FM to display the proper TOC prior to updating your RH project.

I have a blog post or two about conditional text, TOC's and templates floating about, searching on "mattrsullivan" with those topics should get you the right ones.

-Matt

@mattrsullivan

[gingeroni]

Matt,

Thanks for responding! I had read your blog entry on RH, FM, and conditional text last week. Your post inspired me to try setting the conditions in FM after my attempt to set the conditions in RH gave me the bad TOC.

Unfortunately, I think I am already applying the FM template in the RH project.

This is what I did previously:

-Checked the “Apply FrameMaker Template before import box” On the Project Settings > Import page and specified the name of my FM template.

-Edited the conversion settings and checked the “Apply FrameMaker Conditional Build Expression” box.

-Clicked Apply in the Project Settings page.

-Exported the settings to an ISF file which I specify in FM when I generate the output.

-Saved the RH project.

My conditional expression in FM seems to work fine and the FM TOC file is correct.

I hope it’s some simple step that I’m missing. It also seems redundant to specify info in the ISF file and in the RH project. I would prefer to use just an ISF file to simplify the procedure for the other writers in my group.

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

You're on the right track with the isf...once it's been imported to your RH project, it's no longer referenced.

The only concern after that is to periodically save the isf to record any changes to your project's setup. The isf is then useful when:

• another user needs your settings
• you create a new linked project with the same FM and RH stylesheets
• you need to recreate a trashed RH project