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J
JayHBar
Known Participant
August 1, 2012
Answered

Please check that this is a valid FrameMaker document.

  • August 1, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 4514 views

I am working to convert a very large FrameMaker manual into RoboHelp. Two of the files are over 330MB each. When I try to link or import either of these, I get the message that "File X could not be opened. Please verify that FrameMaker is installed and this is a valid FrameMaker file."

I have several other files that work fine. I do have FM installed and these documents open fine in FM. I see from a 2008 post that the diagnosis of a similar problem was large file size. Is there any workaround? I have a lot of cross-references in these files that are going to be wrecked if I break it up into smaller files. Plus, breaking them up into a zillion files is going to wreck any advantage I had from linking to the source files.

I am on a very short deadline with this. Please help!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Matt-Tech Comm Tools

Hi,

Further testing, with the help of a software developer, tells me it is not memory in my machine that's causing the problem. We turned to the issue of why these files are so darned large and realized the files for the graphics, which are after all just screen captures, are outrageously large. Therefore, of course, when they're imported into Frame the Frame file gets huge.

To reduce the size of each graphics file and reimport it will take considerable time. Is there any way in Frame to compress the graphics, as you can do in PowerPoint?


FM11 allows you to remove the facet associated with your imported graphics. For more info, see the FM11 Reviewer's Guide, available at the FrameMaker product page at adobe.com

Not sure how much this will reduce the file size, but should help somewhat.

BTW, what was your file type for screen shots?

Another thought might be some sort of ExtendScript processing to automate conversion. Sorry but I don't have any insight on where to start or whether this is even possible.

1 reply

J
JayHBarAuthor
Known Participant
August 1, 2012

I forgot to mention that I am running TCS 3.5 on Windows 7. I have 4GB of RAM. The files are stored on my hard drive. Some of the other files in the document that are working are 71MB and there's no problem with those.

Jeff_Coatsworth
Community Expert
Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 1, 2012

Are you running the 32 or 64 bit version of Win7? If 64, you could try adding more RAM to see if RH could digest those 330 MB files. If that’s not possible, try closing down as many apps as possible to conserve memory – just leave FM open at its starter screen.

Matt-Tech Comm Tools
Community Expert
Matt-Tech Comm ToolsCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 1, 2012

Jeff, is there any assurance that if I get more RAM installed on my machine, that RH itself will be able to handle the large file? I split the file again and it seems that under 100MB works, and both pieces linked fine, so it's not a problem with the contents of the file. I could put a rush on my manager IF I have some assurance that will solve the problem.


Hi Jay, please open all the files in FrameMaker and update your book prior to updating the files in RH. Address any errors in your update process.

The "File X could not be opened" mssg makes me think that there's a missing resource or other dialog that is hanging up your process. Opening files and addressing ALL resulting dialogs will remove that impediment.

**make sure you're not suppressing your errors via the Frame Alert Preferences, as this only masks "problems" in your FM files.

-Matt

@mattrsullivan

-Matt Sullivan, FrameMaker Course Creator, Author, Trainer, Consultant
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