Frame Graphics Convert to White JPGs

I have experienced the same problem with TCS4 continuously, My documents include equations created in the FrameMaker equation editor, and other graphics are comprised of .eps and .tif and occasionally .pdf, all imported by reference into FrameMaker. Usually all of the equations import successfully into RoboHelp, and nearly all of the other graphics convert to white JPGs, which are essentially white boxs with the dimmensions of the images in FrameMaker. Ocasionally one or more of the images does convert successfully (and with repeated imports it is always the same ones that do), but this is rare. This leaves perhaps 99% of the images unconverted.

I have tried a variety of import settings with more or less the same result. I have tried different computers and different operating systems. No changes that I have made anywhere have resulted in a good percentage of the images being correctly imported by roboHelp.

Eventually, and currently, I am using a method that works, but creates the required images outside of the FrameMaker/Robohelp environemnt. After importing a FrameMaker book to Robohelp, I examined the numbering scheme of the equations and images (white ones) and discovered the numbering pattern, In my case, equations and images and numbered sequentially from the first one encounterd in the book or document being imported. For example, the first equation or image encountered in the book would be converted to a filename something like <bookname>00001.jpg, or  <bookname>00003.jpg, or whatever. Including the first, when an equation is encountered, the filename of the next (following) image or equation encounterd will be incremented by 2, and when an image is encounted the next filename will be incremented by 1. There are also times when this numbering scheme does not hold, for example several numbers are skipped after a particular figure or equation, but usually the scheme eventiually reverts to the original plan.

Once I have identified the numbering scheme, I use a FrameScript to read through the document and identify each imported image by name, determine its dimensions in the document, and calculate its equivalent filename in RoboHelp based on the numbering scheme. I program the filename numbering exceptions into the FrameScript. I have the FrameScript write lines to an external text file (GraphicsProperties.Bookname.txt). These lines are command lines for converting the original FrameMaker image (.tif,.eps, .pdf) to a new .jpg file with the equivalent RoboHelp file name. To create the RoboHelp images, I change the filename extension of FrameScript output file to .bat and run the file as a batch file in a cmd window. This converts all the FM graphics to RH .jpgs (or any format) and puts them in the directory of my choice.

I use the GraphicsMagick utility for converting the graphics in the batch file. Ultimately, this turns out to be a very useful way of converting grachics for use in RoboHelp, because it allows a lot of contorl over the quality and size of the graphics that will be used in RH.

I hope this helps.

Chris McCauley