RH 7 HTML - Can you design skins for CHMs?

[avi10000]

Hi all,

RH 7 HTML - Can you design new, colored skins for CHMs?

Or only for WebHelp?


Tnx,

- avi

[RoboColum_n_]

Well yes you can but.......

There are issues with doing so. Rick's tips n tricks file shows how it can be done and highlights the issues you will face.

[avi10000]

Well, Colum, once I had completed the Help project, I had a look at Rick's idea for making skins for CHMs.

And I must admit that it seems quite ingenious.

So I had a go...

However, somewhere along the road I gave up.

The crux of the idea is that you copy ALL the WebHelp output into an empty RH project into the Baggage Files folder.

And the crux of the problem is that for some reason, RH creates lots of sub folders as well and copies of the HTM files, and it seems to me to be impossible to add these files and folders automatically. Adding them manually is going to take "for ever".

That's my observation.

Thanks,

- avi

[avi10000]

Thanks, Colum

avi

[RoboColum_n_]

To be honest avi I haven't ever used this method. Adding all the output files would be a hassle - particularly for a large project - but the index issues are the big stumbling block for me.

[avi10000]

1.
>> but the index issues are the big stumbling block for me
Not quite sure I understood you there; but I understand that having all files as "Baggage" would interfere with indexing?

2. As far the hassle is concerned for large projects (or even smaller ones),
if RoboHelp would support this then it could do it automatically.
But then there is the indexing issue you mention.

3. Is there some other Help format that I can generate with Robohelp that allows me to design a custom skin AND have a single output Help file? My client objects to having the online help implemented as millions of little files (as in the case of Web Help). I don't yet know about other help formats. What about Java Help? Does Java Help get produced as a single output file, by any chance? Others?

Tia

- avi

[RoboColum_n_]

Hi avi.

The index seems to have occasional problems when run inside the CHM. Remember that you are adding the webhelp index file as a baggage file and getting it to render inside the CHM window (something this was never designed to do). The TOC and search seem to work however.

As far as getting a single ouput file with a skin, have you looked at Adobe Air?

[RoboColum_n_]

Hi avi.

The index seems to have occasional problems when run inside the CHM. Remember that you are adding the webhelp index file as a baggage file and getting it to render inside the CHM window (something this was never designed to do). The TOC and search seem to work however.

As far as getting a single ouput file with a skin, have you looked at Adobe Air?

[avi10000]

>> Adobe Air
Ok, I had a quick look.

Seems to be a whole new world.
Nothing to do with RoboHelp, I take it?

- avi

[Peter Grainge]

You need a RoboHelp web output for AIR to work on.

[avi10000]

Thanks!
How difficult is it to turn a RoboHelp web output to AIR ?

- avi

[RoboColum_n_]

Try looking at this link on Peter's site.