Convert FrameMaker source to RoboHelp source?

[rlauriston]

Is there some way to do a one-way conversion from FrameMaker to RoboHelp HTML (or, failing that, RoboHelp Word), so you could work 100% in RH?

[Peter Grainge]

In RoboHelp File > Import

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[johndaigle]

Hi, Robert.

If I understand correctly, you should be able to use the File > Import > FrameMaker files to your RoboHelp project. This will have the effect of converting the content to HTML in RoboHelp. At that point it is no longer connected to the original FM documents and you edit, generate as you would any RH project. This work flow is different from the File > Link > FrameMaker document. If you chose Link, then the author would continue to work in Frame and use the update command in RoboHelp.

It sounds like you would want the Import scenario. You will definitely want to see this Online Help topic to get you started.

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/robohelp/robohtml/WSF26099DE-20C9-4488-8187-4383A5661229.html

In my limited experience with FrameMaker, I have found this workflow to work well, once you spend some time "mapping" your FM styles to the RoboHelp styles. There are some terrific videos on this process you might also watch.

This one is on Mapping FrameMaker Styles In RoboHelp

http://tv.adobe.com/watch/single-sourcing-and-multi-channel-publishing-in-technical-communication/ma...

This seminar covers a broader aspect for FM and RH but might be of help.

http://rjacquez.com/whats-new-in-framemaker-10-robohelp-9-and-adobe-techcomm-suite-3-webinars/

John Daigle

Adobe Certified RoboHelp and Captivate Instructor

Evergreen, Colorado

www.showmethedemo.com

[rlauriston]

Since we're using RoboHelp already to generate WebHelp from the FrameMaker source, shouldn't the mapping be done already?

[johndaigle]

Oh. I forgot you were apparently already using the FM to RoboHelp linking process and mapping may already be settled. So, what you suggest makes sense. I think a quick test of Importing a document will validate how "clean" the process is. Maybe you already have an .isf file that can be configured in Project Settings > Import tab > Load Settings From field and locate an .isf file (RoboHelp Import Settings File)  you may have created previously. Or, maybe this is already done if you are working on an existing project.

[Peter Grainge]

In cases like this I always recommend importing into a new project first. If any clean up is needed to it there and import into the real project. That way if it goes seriously wrong, it's easy to back out without messing up the real project.

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See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

[rlauriston]

Yes, of course. Somebody else is working on the real version.

[RoboAsh · Accepted solution]

Hi Robert,

          from the original project you need to export the .isf files (from File->project settings dialog on the import TAB you will find Export option) which contains all the mapping information, then you can use this .isf file before importing in a fresh RoboHelp project.

For good results you can Link a sample Frame document (which has all the styles in the catalog that you use) and then import the above .isf file in the project, now on importing the FrameMaker book you will see all the mapping applied, on the generated HTML topics.

Hope this will help

Ashish

[rlauriston]

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for.