Print Doc Generation Speed

[annod123]

I am using RH HTML 5X and Word 2003. When generating a printed document, the process takes hours! Is this typical? The SS Layout contains 440 some topics, is heavy on images (not my choice) and has conditional build tags. I have tried both imbedding and linking images, and both options in terms of Master vs Single doc creation. I also checked with my system Admin and he defragged my system….still no luck! Any Ideas?

[Peter Grainge]

I am not surprised it takes ages given what you describe. Don't trash the print layout but right click on it and create some duplicates. Remove different topics from each so that combined you still have the full output. See if that improves things.

The whole thing is probably choking. Memory could be an issue.

[annod123]

Thanks for your help! By generating several smaller "sub documents" each takes less time. I am experimenting with with the Batch generate.
Also, is there anything I can do about the TOC and Index other than create a master doc in Word? I have not tried it yet, but I am assumg that will work.

[Peter Grainge]

You could create a master doc but I was envisaging that after generating the four books, you would combine them in Word. The size is not too big for Word (unless it is hitting around 30mb). The problem is the generation of a single document and the processes involved, not the end result.

[AliceNic]

Hi Peter

I noticed this discussion thread and wondered if you could comment on the time it's taking to generate print doc outputs. I am using an evaluation version of RoboHelp in order to assess it before purcahse on behalf of a client. I trialled generating print documentation and was advised to apply the following fix to enable macros http://www.adobe.com/go/4cf80b20 . I did this and I got to the Processing Topics progress bar but the bar is showing no progress and I've waited ages (over 30 minutes at the time of writing this). I only have two topics plus a cover page, TOC and index in my trial so it's a small project. Many thanks in advance.

Cheers

[Peter Grainge]

What you have done does not actually enable the macros, it simply updates the templates so that you have the right macros.

Open Word and go to Tools | Options | Security and click Macro Security. Set that to medium or low. Also did you install the trial with your login and with admin rights?

[AliceNic]

Hi again Peter and thanks for your advice.

As suggested, I set macro security to low and I did download the evaluation copy with my login. I didn't come across anywhere to set my admin rights in the download process. When I generate print doco, still the print doco progress bar appears but no progress is made. Would appreciate any further suggestions as to how I can get the print documents to generate.

Cheers

[Peter Grainge]

It's not the download that needs admin rights, it is the installation of what you downloaded. Is your PC part of a network controlled by an IT administrator or is this your own PC and your login has admin rights?

Is the project on your hard disk and are you generating the printed document to your hard disk? If no to either, change that.

Otherwise try starting again with a single topic project. Does the trial version come with a demo project? If so, open that and try to generate a printed output.

[AliceNic]

Hi Peter

Thanks for your insights and advice. The issue with Robohelp and printed documentation appears to be to do with the laptop I was using. I tried it on another identical laptop (same hardware and software specs) and got the same issue. Then I tried it on a different laptop and I didn't have the issue. I spent a number of hours on the 0800 number and they couldn't identify the issue.

Hope you're having a good week.

Cheers Alice
ps One other concern I have before buying the product is - security risks posed by ActiveX controls in WebHelp output files. Any comments on this?