migrate RoboHelp 2002 with RoboHelp 7

Report · Nov 20, 2009

Hi there,

I want to convert my hold RoboHelp file with version 7 or 8, i don't know today which one i must choose. But i got both and i began to convert with 7 first.

My version into «Help about robohelp» Robohelp for winhelp 2002.r2. Build 1092.
If needed, i can send you the detail of all file included in the version (DLL).

First, the way i go, was suggested by johndaigle in problem:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/736139#736139
I do this:
«open RoboHelp for Word and from the File menu, click New > select the Import tab
and choose Other Help Projects and locate the .hpj project from there. This will convert the project to RoboHelp for Word v6». I compile the project. I join the result generated. If it's suppose to work on the first time, i'm really not convice. I had topic coded with html jump on a JPEG file and the result is really bizarre. If i open my result HLP file and go into the page with the image, I see a broken text who said the camera.bmp is missing. Second, when i click on the suppose to be link on an image, i falling on other part of my help text, who as nothing concerning my JPG image but I see some other help text. If I changed my Image Folders (BMROOT) sequence, and I re-compile, i can't go further because i got the message; The I:\fof006\RBHelp7\Ventex\!SSL!\Winhelp_4\VENTEF.hlp file is not a Windows Help file or the file is corrupted. I go on my drive I:\ and path to see if my HLP file and the content are there. He's there, but he remain 0 bytes.

Anybody can help me on the way to proceed to convert or migrate. Naybody can help me on the problem with an image call by an html jump. All the problem said here, was not present on my older version and working fine !

Francis

Report · Nov 27, 2009

What version of Word are you usings?

If you still have RH 2002, try exporting the help into a doc file. Then, in RH create a new project and import the doc.

-or-

Create a new project in RH 7 or 8, then open the old doc file from the 2002 project. Select all, copy, then paste into the new doc and save it. You will need to rebuild your toc based on the old output file. Your index will be okay.

As for the images, you will need to create an image folder and copy in all the images from your old project.

You will also need to modify the properties of the project for any custom items you may have had in the past, i.e., window size, tabs, starting topic, etc.

In either case, you may still have issues with your graphics. Be sure you are using the RH menu to insert the graphics.

You may want to consider using a different output format. If this is tied to an application, you may need to work with your developers to have them call your new output as the file extension will change. HLP extension help files were used for Windows 3.x, I'm not sure they will work with newer versions of windows. The MS HTML Help chm output file may be your better choice as it is one file instead of 2: HLP and CNT.

If I were you I would also change it so your compiled file is on your local drive instead of drive I -- typically that is a network drive. Once you have it working, you can copy or publish your file to the network. Your task will be easier if you work on your local hard drive.

Report · Dec 01, 2009

Hi princess betty,

First, if could help, I join an image of my version of RoboHelp we have here.

We already have files in DOC, PRS RBH and RTF for result after we built our HLP; I give you a sample:

Auto1.doc, Auto1.prs, Auto1.rbh, Auto1.rtf
Auto10.doc, Auto10.prs, Auto10.rbh, Auto10.rtf
Auto11.doc, Auto11.prs, Auto11.rbh, Auto11.rtf

For the time we can't think change the extension result other than HLP, because the result is re-used inside another system and by the moment we just want made an update of RoboHelp before thinking produce the file in other form than winhelp4 or win2000.

So, i'm gonna try the suggestion you made to try convert our past system by opening a new project and import all the DOC file. I'm not really sure, but i'm gonna try. At this time, if I open a new project at the opening of robohelp and I use the IMPORT, the result was not too bad and better by using Robohelp 8 than 7. And by the way, we used some special characters, indentation and bullet native from word. So, the DOT file is important, but be change.

You can feed me some other information if it's possible for you to help me further. I'm gonna try some solution and check if the result could be good for us.

So, thank for the moment for your help,

Francis