Inserting & editing images in Robohelp 8

Report · Feb 16, 2009

Hi, I am a completely new user to RoboHelp. I'm looking for best practice recommendations when working with images.

I'm creating help files for a database. I'm creating screen shots with blow-outs (for non-ID people, this is when you layer a larger screen shot of a highlighted area over a base screen-shot to display where a user can locate a field, button etc).

Easy peasy design work in Word. When I generate previews - the 'blow outs' don't layout where I put them. And the borders and lines used to link the blow-out to the base screen shot don't appear. I realised that I have to create them as bitmap images first, then use the Robohelp paste image function.

The images are now crystal clear when I generate, but they are not necessarily the right size (often too small or too big).

I tried the images using the insert picture function, adjusting the size - noting the pixels and going back to my bitmap editor (using Fireworks) to adjust, then reinserting, copying, and pasting using the RoboHelp paste image (I tried the image editor - but that was even slower!).

So then I tried creating the images in word to get the size right, then copying them over to fireworks to create the bitmap. Then reinserting, copying, deleting and pasting using the RoboHelp paste image. This seems to be the better of the two methods - but man, it's labour intensive!!

Please tell me there is a quicker and easier way to line up and size images!! Is there a way to display the image in the word doc once I've inserted it without having to generate a preview? This would solve my issue.

I've searched the help files - useless! Any advice would be most welcome!

Jen

Report · Mar 04, 2009

I use SnagIt to capture the screen shot and I am able to draw lines, insert call outs and edit the screen shots themselves. I then save the finished image to the Robohelp image folder and insert it from there. I use .jpg files and have had no size problems at all.
You can also use the Image/Scale function in the Robohelp Image editor to resize.

Report · Mar 04, 2009

Thank you. I'd like to know more about your methods.

I've scoured the help files and found them to be near useless (ironic, eh?). The tell me that I can do things, but not how to do them.

I've tried the RoboHelp Image Editor and found it to be the slowest and most labour intensive option. I want to be able to resize the image inside the document. Is there a way to open this up inside the word document?

How are you inserting your images into the RoboHelp image folder? I haven't worked out how to save an image into this folder without inserting, cutting and 'Roboimage' pasting. I would love to be able to save directly from Fireworks into the folder.

Jen

Ps. I have a neat little programme called CPR2BRD which I've found superior for taking screen shots (though Snagit is better for taking the drop down menus). You may want to check this out - all my ID friends love it!

Report · Mar 04, 2009

Thank you. I'd like to know more about your methods.

I've scoured the help files and found them to be near useless (ironic, eh?). The tell me that I can do things, but not how to do them.

I've tried the RoboHelp Image Editor and found it to be the slowest and most labour intensive option. I want to be able to resize the image inside the document. Is there a way to open this up inside the word document?

How are you inserting your images into the RoboHelp image folder? I haven't worked out how to save an image into this folder without inserting, cutting and 'Roboimage' pasting. I would love to be able to save directly from Fireworks into the folder.

Jen

Ps. I have a neat little programme called CPR2BRD which I've found superior for taking screen shots (though Snagit is better for taking the drop down menus). You may want to check this out - all my ID friends love it!

Report · Mar 09, 2009

I just do a Save As in SnagIt and navigate to the image folder in Robohelp. I do all the editing and resizing in SnagIt.
I wouldn't edit images in Robohelp for Word. They need to be inserted using the Insert tool in Robohelp. Word has enough issues with images as it is.
I found Robohelp for Word very cumbersome so our company switched over to Robohelp HTML and the screen shots are much improved. The image editor is quick and easy in the HTML program.