Hyperlinks from CHM to PDF

Report · Feb 03, 2010

Our documentation comprises On-line Help as CHM files, and User Guides as PDF. Up to now the user guides were printed but we wish to provide them as PDF for on-screen use.

Now we also wish to have hyperlinks from CHM to PDF and vice versa. We can presumably (I haven't yet tested this) handle PDF-to-CHM using the context-sensitive help functionality, but when we make links from CHM-to-PDF we are unable to go to a specified location in the PDF.

The calls we use are of the type:
<a href='SomeDocument.pdf#page=10'>
<a href='SomeDocument.pdf#G1025448'>
<a href='SomeDocument.pdf#nameddest=SomeChapter'>
and they work in the preview window but not from CHM; the PDF opens on page 1 rather than at the specified page or marker.

I had some success embedding the PDF call in a batch file and calling that, but that will be unmaintainable.

We use RoboHelp 8 and FrameMaker 7.1. Would updating to TCS2 (ie Frame 9) help us? From what I could find on Adobe.com TCS allows importing from Frame but we do not want to import, just to cross-refer, preferably with links which can be updated automatically.

Anybody who can advise us?

--- Derek

Report · Feb 10, 2010

Come on, chaps and chappesses. Am I the only one in the world using multiple media?

Report · Feb 10, 2010

Have a look at the Document "Parameters for Opening PDF Files" found here: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/acrobat/pdfs/pdf_open_parameters_v9.pdf

It implies that you need to use either a command or URL to properly open the PDF and pass the desired parameters. You may have to specify the link as a full URL, e.g. file:///Drive:/path/filename.pdf#page=10

Report · Feb 10, 2010

Thanks Arnis, I had an earlier (2005) version of the same document but it's nice to have the latest data. But my problem is that the link works as desired from RoboHelp preview, from Internet Explorer or from Firefox; but from a CHM file the parameters seem to be discarded; the PDF always opens on the first page.

--- Derek

Report · Feb 11, 2010

Derek,

How are you defining the link to the PDF in the original FM file: message openfile, message openlink or message URL?

Report · Feb 11, 2010

I hesitate to throw a curve ball into the mix, but I believe even Microsoft has stepped away from CHM in favor of HTML similar formats, installed either locally or online...

May be time to evaluate a change in format for your help as long as you're doing a switch in your manuals....

And for what it's worth, linking to PDFs from Frame, even old versions is pretty trivial if you export to a help format using either MIF2Go or RoboHelp.

Cheers,

Art

Report · Feb 16, 2010

I have made a dent in the problem, can't say I've cracked it yet.

RoboWizard has a page describing the use of HTML Help Shortcuts which is got me started (thanks Rick, if you'll post here I'll give you a "Helpful Answer").

The procedure I now use is, in RoboHelp: Insert > HTML Help Controls > Shortcut. I fill in second part of the wizard like this:

so that it calles Acrobat to display the PDF (full path given), with parameters to search for a string "bookmark_2".

Then in the PDF I add a comment using Comments > Tools > Highlight and edit its properties like this:

When I compile the CHM and click the link, Acrobat opens and searches for the string. I made sure it was unique so the user is brought to the correct place.

Now it's a bit clumsy since you have to add the bookmark manually after creating the PDF from Frame, but it does work.

The other problem is that the HTML Control is not editable except in RoboHelp's HTML view. You can edit it in Design view but the edit doesn't stick. In HTML view the link details are present three times and you have to edit them all.

Anybody have bright ideas to streamline this process?

--- Derek

Report · Feb 17, 2010

Progress report:

I can create a Marker of Type Cross-Ref in Frame, and that will result in a nameddest in the PDF, which I can then call as a nameddest from the Shortcut. However Acrobat prepends the string "M9." (em nine dot) to the named destination, and I doubt if that is stable.

1. Create Marker in FrameMaker 7.1p116 (Special > Marker)

2. Locate Destination in Acrobat 8.1.7 (Link > Properties > Actions > Edit > Browse Named destinations)

3. Make Shortcut in RoboHelp 8.0.2.208 (Insert > HTML Help Control > Shortcut)

It is less clumsy than yesterday's effort, but still not acceptable for production work.

Come on with the bright ideas! (pretty-please....)

--- Derek

Report · Feb 02, 2011

This problem exists with PDF - HTML it is not connected to CHM.

I have the same problem, I create a named destination in a FrameMaker 9 book and generate a PDF.

In RoboHelp 8 I create a link using the format:

When i view it in RoboHelp the PDF opens at the correct page. When I compile it, it doesn't. The file is added as a baggage file.