[FAQ] FrameMaker FAQ (part 4 of 6)
Les Bonser
2.15. Indices
2.15.1. How can I create an "global" index across files (without books)?
Using FM3 on unix, I made a set of scripts which create a Global Index for as
many manuals as you want. As we have some problems generating large
documents, putting all manuals in one bookfile is no option for us
(generating this
would take longer than doing it all by hand).
The scripts assume an special index for each manual with abbreviation for the
page numbers. The scripts (unix awk, sed and sort) combine the indices to
a global
(text) index. Some global search and replace in FrameMaker completes the Global
Index.
It works good for me, is quicker (half a day instead of about a week of
cutting and
pasting) but has some drawbacks:
* It sorts differently than frame does,
* It uses Unix,
* It is tested only with Frame3.0 (I modify it if we get FM4).
I will send it to anyone who is interested (and maybe solve some of the
drawbacks
:-) ). The package has currently the shape if a Frame document (being the
manual)
with the scripts as appendices.
[Contributor: Fred Jan Kraan <fj...@wmt.nl>]
2.15.2. Is there are tool to automatically produce index entries?
A. fmixgen
"fmixgen" takes a concordance file and marks your document.
It cannot handle a word that wraps from one line to the next (hyphenated),
due to
the way MIF files are structured. As a work-around, you can turn off
hyphenation
while you index.
The code cannot be compiled with gcc, acc -O or cc -O (Sun SPARCstation
SunOS). It must be acc -g or cc -g.
Available: ftp://ftp.frame.com/pub/techsup/framers/unix/fmixgen.c
[Contributor: Vidiot <br...@ftms.UUCP>]
B. IXgen
Please refer to Section 1.11.1. "IXgen" in the FrameMaker Introdution and
General Information document for contact information on Frank Stearns
Associates and product information about IXgen.
2.16. Master Pages and Paging
2.16.1. How can I control which master page is used when text flows
off of the current page?
When you push text out of a column with Autoconnect turned on, how does
FrameMaker choose which master page to use for the new page?
* If the number and type (letter tag) of the autoconnect flows on the
current body
page exactly match the autoconnect flows on the Right master page, then the
Right master page is used.
* Otherwise, the master page for the current body page is used.
The Right master page is kind of the default master page. (Unless it is a
double-
sided document, in which case there are Left and Right defaults.) For
example, if
you were typing a memo, you would have (at least) two master pages, one called
"First" which contained the big header, and one called "Right" for all of the
continuation pages.
You cannot get FrameMaker to automatically go from one non-Right master to
another. For example, assume that a memo has 3 masters: Fax, First, and Right.
There is no way to start the document with only the Fax page, and have it
automatically change to First, and then to Right. The solution is to
create 3 pages,
apply the appropriate masters, connect the flows as needed, and make sure that
empty pages are not deleted (turn this off in Format->Document or add dummy
text to each page).
Another item to note is that when changing master pages with Page Layout, the
same "union" rules apply, as done with "Use Formats." For example, if the body
page currently has one column of flow B, and you apply a master page which has
one column with flow A, you will wind up with two text columns. You can then
copy the text from the old column to the new column (if appropriate), and then
delete the old column.
2.16.2. Is there any easy way to move one or more pages to a different
place in the document? (Two layout models.)
FrameMaker supports two basic layout models; let's call them "newspaper" and
"term paper". In the term paper model, there's basically one story that
flows from
one page to the next; the pages themselves can be thought of as transient,
existing
only to divide up the flow. In the newspaper model, the pages exist
independently
of the stories, and you place the stories by reshaping the text columns
and linking
a column on page 1 to a column on another page. The newspaper model is also
used for producing "forms". Overhead transparencies can be done with either
model.
In the newspaper model, you probably start out by using Page->Add Page to
create
the proper number of pages, then placing stories in the columns, and
linking those
columns to additional ones on later pages as necessary. Pages are not
automatically generated when text flows out of a column (Autoconnect is off).
There's no "easy" way to rearrange pages, but this model doesn't often
require it.
In the term paper model, you start with one page, and let a lengthening story
automatically generate additional pages (Autoconnect is on). If style
dictates that
page break is required, you simply tag the next paragraph as "Start at
Top"; this is
probably built into the cataloged tag. In this model, you don't move "pages"
around, you move bunches of sentences around (using Cut and Paste), and the
pages adjust themselves automatically.
Note that in the term paper model you DON'T want to use "Add Page" and you
DO want to place any graphics in a anchored frame or table, so they'll
move with
the text, not stick to the page.
Things can get complicated when you want an exception page in the middle of a
term paper, such as a rotated page for a landscape formatted graphic.
Additional points:
* There is NO way to cut/copy and then paste a master page as a unit.
* There is NO way to cut/copy and then paste a reference page as a unit.
You can only add a new (empty) master/reference page, and then copy and paste
objects from the source page.
* There is NO way to add a new page (Page:Add Page) and simultaneously
specify a desired master page.
An added page ALWAYS gets master page "Right" (or "Left" in a 2-sided
document as appropriate). If you want to add a page using a different
master page
you must first add it and then apply the master page using Page:Column Layout.
If the desired master page has a different arrangement of text columns you will
often end up with "orphan" text columns that you must delete.
[Contributor: David Cortesi <cor...@informix.com>]
2.16.3. How do I force a page break?
Ideally, you would have a unique tag that leads off the text on the new
page (e.g.,
Head1), and you set this paragraph format to Start: Top of Page or Top of
Column.
However, this is not always appropriate. There are a few other solutions:
A. Create a Paragraph tag called PageBreak, and set its point size to 4.0pt
(smallest possible), Space Above to 0, and Space Below to 999pt. The huge space
below forces the next paragraph to the top of the page.
[Contributor: <r...@concurrent.co.uk>]
B. Create a Paragraph tag called PageBreak, and set its Start to Top of
Page (or
Column). Set the point size to 4.0pt (smallest possible), Space Above to
0, and
Space Below to 0. Set the leading to the negative of the point size and
the Space
Above of the following paragraph. This causes the two paragraphs to overlap.
[Contributor: Lester C. Smalley]
C. Select the first paragraph that you want on the new page and do
"ESC j P".
[Contributor: L. Daniel York <l...@copley.mv.com>]
2.16.4. [Updated] How can I change the page size of an existing
document?
[Author's Note: Prior to version 4.0, this was a real pain. You really
couldn't just
change the page size. You had to use of the following work-around methods. If
you're using version 4.0 or 5.x, please jump down to option D, below.]
A. Edit the MIF file.
To change master page sizes, save the file as a MIF document, and then edit the
MIF file -- search-and-replace all instances of 8.5" x 11.0" with the desired
measurements. Look for the attribute "PageSize". Save the MIF file, and then
open it again in FrameMaker -- you will have to use the Page Layout dialog box
to reapply Master Page --> Body Page formats, although perhaps you could use
the Use Formats From dialog box, specifying the current document as the
template
and updating only the Page Layout.
Also, after doing this, remember to reformat any tabs at the right end of the
template's headers/footers.
[Contributors: Jonathan B. Horen <ho...@rs.com> and Anders Thulinc
<a...@linkoping.trab.se>]
B. Copy formats.
1. Make a new document of the right size.
2. Save this document as a new name.
3. Open your old Template.
4. Go to the Master Pages of both documents; and for each master page in the
old template do the following: a) Create or go to that Master Page in the New
document, b) In the New document, Edit: Select All on Page and delete, c) In
the Old document, Edit: Select All on Page and copy, and d) In the New
document, Paste.
5. In the New Document, Select Use Formats from the File menu and bring over
everything EXCEPT the Page Layouts.
[Contributor: Alan S. Koch <a...@sei.cmu.edu>]
C. Frame's Method.
[Applies to Version 3.0?] A slightly different method is described in Using
FrameMaker, Chapter 14: Specifying Page Layout, Changing a document's page
size.
[Contributor: Ari Cohn <ac...@synopsys.com>]
D. For Version 5.x, all platforms.
Use the Format > Page Layout > Page Size dialog to change page size for the
document.
Note: File > Import > Formats, check Page Layouts. This will import page size
options from one document to another. Please refer to Section 2.13.1.
"[Updated]
What exactly is copied during File:Use Formats?" for more information.
2.16.5. I used a rotated (landscape) page for a large figure/table, but the
figure keeps moving to a portrait page!
If you have a document which contains a figure too wide for a portrait
page, you
can created a landscape master page for it to reside on.
The problem is that when you add stuff on the pages before the landscape page,
the landscape figure moves onto another (portrait) page, and the new text goes
onto the landscape page. If you separate the landscape page from the
flow, then
the figure numbers get messed up.
The easiest solution is to create the figure rotated in an anchored
frame. You can
use a large "scratch" page somewhere to create the figure of such a size
that, when
rotated, it will fit on your standard portrait page. Thus you won't need a
custom
master page. Turn off Cropping in the Special Anchored Frame dialog will allow
the frame to extend beyond the margins, which might allow it to be edited on a
portrait page. You need to rotate the figure back to horizontal whenever
you need
to edit it.
Custom master pages in the middle of a document are a problem because you
cannot integrate them into the automatic alternation of left/right master
pages; you
cannot create "alternative" left/right master pages.
[Contributor: Rob Weinberg <rob...@informix.com>]
2.17. Miscellaneous Questions
2.17.1. [Updated] Do you know what happens if the spell checker finds
"Interleaf" (a competitor to FrameMaker)?
This is called an "Easter Egg." It's something cute that the programmers
built into
the program just for fun (and often to playfully bash a competitor).
When you have the word "Interleaf" in your document and you run the spelling
checker command, it suggests "FrameMaker" as the correction.
Others:
* FrameMaker suggests "Notepad" for "WordPerfect."
* Although not an Easter Egg, the spelling checker suggests "Pedometer" and
"Bookmaker" for "PageMaker."
2.17.2. [Updated] Where can I find keyboard shortcuts for [platform]?
Unix: Refer to (FM3) $FMHOME/.fminit2.0/kbmaps/README.kbmap for lots
of info on keyboard mapping, and pointer to the various files used for
mapping.
(NeXT: /LocalAppls/FrameMaker.app/fminit2.0/......)
Unix: Print out (FM3) $FMHOME/.fminit2.0.ps/docs/QuickRef.doc or (FM4)
$FMHOME/fminit/usenglish/Maker/ProductManuals/QuickRef/Chapters/Shortc
uts
[Updated] Macintosh and MS-Windows: There is a "Pocket Guide" included with
version 4.0 and 5.x. It's a plastic, tri-fold brochure that lists many of
the keyboard
shortcuts.
[All platforms?] In Version 5.x (maybe in 4.0, I don't remember), there's a
Keyboard Shortcut option on the Help menu. This section of the on-line
help lists
the keyboard shortcuts by functional area.
2.17.3. [New] Can I resell my copy of FrameMaker?
If you have a registered FrameMaker copy, it cannot be resold without
permission
by Adobe (per the license agreement). Further, anyone purchasing it would
not be
allowed to upgrade it as it would be in your name in Adobe's records.
It is possible to have Adobe waive these stipulations if you send a request in
writing to transfer the license. But, this would only work if you haven't
upgraded
your version to a later release.
2.17.4. [New] Can I post job notices in comp.text.frame or the framers
mailing list?
The general consensus is that job postings should go to the newsgroups
specifically for that function, like misc.jobs.
Many people posting job ads are "head-hunters" looking for resumes. I'm sure
that most of the people who subscribe to comp.text.frame or the framers mailing
list would rather not hassle through all these ads.
But...some people like to see advertisments for *specific* jobs in technical
newsgroups because these jobs are of interest to readers of the group. The
other
reason is that some of the jobs-related newsgroups (like misc.jobs) have become
so cluttered.
So, if you have a *specific* technical writing or desktop publishing job which
requires expertise in FrameMaker and you are the hiring individual or a
representative from the hiring company (in other words, not a recruiter ["head-
hunter"]), and your post is short, direct, and inoffensive, you can
probably get
away with posting the ad.
[Note: simply because I wrote this in the FAQ doesn't mean someone somewhere
won't get offended by your ad. You might still get flamed.]
2.18. On-Line Documents
2.18.1. FrameMaker/FrameReader
2.18.1.1. [New] What is 'FluidView?'
Applies to: Version 5.1 and higher.
FluidView is a new view-only mode introduced in version 5.1. A document in
FluidView format appears as one continuous page, without headers, footers, or
margins. When you resize the document window, the text reformats to fit within
the width of the new window.
The documentation for FluidView is buried in the back of the Release Notes on-
line document. There is no real explanation of why this mode was added to
FrameMaker.
The author's opinion on this is that FluidView is a precursor of a Web
version of
FrameMaker. When a Frame document is in FluidView mode, it acts a lot like an
HTML page viewed in a browser.
[Contributor: Les Bonser <lbo...@bluehawk.com>]
2.18.1.2. What kind of control do I have over documents distributed on-line in
FrameMaker binary format?
The following is a MIF file template that, after modifications, you can
import into
an open, unlocked FrameMaker file using the File/Import/File command.
Currently, the file simply reaffirms FrameMaker default settings. I hope
the file is
easy to understand so modifications are easy.
Nothing remarkable happens when you import the file. Your screen might refresh,
but that's about it; nevertheless, after you lock it, the file will
respond differently
based on the changes you specified. Remember, you can lock and unlock
FrameMaker files by typing, in sequence, <esc> Flk.
Caution: If you configure a file so it cannot be unlocked, be sure to save
a copy of
the unmodified file. Your readers will not be able to unlock the file but
neither will
you.
<MIFFile 4.00>
<Document
<DViewOnlyXRef GotoBehavior > # Default: X-refs behave like gotolink
#<DViewOnlyXRef NotActive > # Disable hypertext in X-refs
#<DViewOnlyXRef OpenBehavior > # X-ref links behave like openlink
<DViewOnlySelect Yes > # Default
#<DViewOnlySelect UserOnly > # Disable highlighting destination
link
#<DViewOnlySelect No > # Disable selecting text
<DViewOnlyWinBorders Yes > # Default
#<DViewOnlyWinBorders No > # Suppress scroll bars
<DViewOnlyWinMenubar Yes > # Default
#<DViewOnlyWinMenubar No > # Suppress menu-bar display under Unix
<DViewOnlyWinPopup Yes > # Default
#<DViewOnlyWinPopup No > # Disable popup hypertext commands
<DViewOnlyWinPalette No > # Default
#<DViewOnlyWinPalette Yes > # Document behaves like a palette
#<DViewOnlyNoOp 0x313> # Disable printing
#<DViewOnlyNoOp 0x321> # Disable cutting or clearing
#<DViewOnlyNoOp 0x322> # Disable copying
#<DViewOnlyNoOp 0xF00> # Disable unlocking the document
> # end of Document
[Contributor: Robert Crews <72274...@CompuServe.COM>]
2.18.2. Using FrameMaker for the Web
2.18.3. How do I convert FrameMaker to HTML?
CERN keeps a list of HTML generating tools; see it for the latest info:
http://www.w3.org/hypertext/WWW/Tools/Word_proc_filters.html
#Framemaker
[Contributor: Axel Boldt <bo...@math.ucsb.edu>]
A. www_and_frame
Designed to work with MifRead and MifWrite, uses perl, sgmls, and xlisp.
Available now from:
http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/Frame/fminit2.0/www_and_frame.html
and in the future from:
ftp://info.cern.ch/pub/www/contrib/www_and_frame-README
ftp://info.cern.ch/pub/www/contrib/www_and_frame-0.2.tar.Z
Contact: conn...@convex.com
B. WebMaker 1.4 (free)
CERN-developed version (1.4) available at:
The freeware version of CERN WebMaker will be available at least until the
release of WebMaker 2.0 (see below). Support of the current CERN WebMaker
version will be progressively transferred to Harlequin prior to the release of
version 2.0.
There will be a beta release of WebLinker, a WWW cross-reference management
tool, by the end of March 95.
A new version, 1.5, of CERN WebMaker will be released at this time to enable
WebMaker users to incorporate the WebLinker solution into their WWW
information management strategy. A selected list of bugs will be fixed for this
release. This will be the last CERN release of WebMaker. Contact:
webm...@cern.ch
C. WebMaker 2.0 (commercial)
Harlequin Ltd., an international software house with headquarters in Cambridge,
UK, will develop and market an industrial version of CERN WebMaker.
WebMaker 2.0, to be released in September 95, will include new
functionality and
will be supported on UNIX, MS Windows and Apple Macintosh platforms,
accompanied with a native GUI for each platform.
Contact: webm...@harlequin.com or w...@harlequin.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1223 873800
Fax: +44 (0)1223 872519
http://www.harlequin.com.uk/webmaker
Offices in UK, USA, and Australia.
D. fm2html
http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/Tools/fm2html.html
http://www.nta.no/produkter/fm2html/Demo.book.html
Contact: jo...@nta.no
E. miftran
A MIF to HTML converter written in C.
http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/Tools/miftran.html
ftp://ftp.alumni.caltech.edu/pub/mcbeath/web/miftran/
Contact: ji...@eskimo.com
F. Quadralay WebWorks Publisher & HTML Lite
FM5: WebWorks HTML Lite has been created especially for Frame Technology
as a useful, basic functionality tool to convert FrameMaker documents into the
Web's native HyperText Markup Language (HTML) format. HTML Lite features
an easy to use graphical user interface within FrameMaker to allow one step
conversion of FrameMaker documents. Lite converts cross references, hypertext
links, and generated lists (TOC, Index, etc) with corresponding URLs (HTML
Hyperlinks). It enables users to map paragraph and character styles to
HTML tags
and can generate references to GIF images imported by reference.
Quadralay's WebWorks Publisher is a more advanced commercial Internet
publishing product that enables users to design and maintain production-quality
Web spaces. Publisher combines the ease-of-use of WebWorks' HTML Lite with
a more powerful and complete set of production-level features that
utilizes the full
richness of FrameMaker and HTML. It gives users the ability to automatically
convert graphics, tables, and equations; design and save complex style mappings
for repeated use; and convert entire books and groups of files with a single
operation.
Ideal for designing and maintaining commercial Web spaces, WebWorks
Publisher builds on the basic text and hyperlink conversion features of HTML
Lite. Additional features of WebWorks Publisher include support for Frame
variables; configurable image translation such as scaling, dpi, and
transparency;
and customized style set designing. The style designer enables users to create
custom HTML tags, split documents to facilitate efficient network transfers and
even provides a macro language for maintaining corporate material (logos,
styles,
etc.)
Quadralay
3925 West Braker Lane, Suite 337
Austin, TX USA 78759-5321
Tel: +1 512-305-0240
Fax: +1 512-305-0248
Email: in...@quadralay.com
WWW: http://www.quadralay.com