What is Adobe FrameMaker?

Adobe FrameMaker is a complete tool for large, complex bidirectional technical content that enables template-based, non-XML and XML/DITA authoring, review and collaboration, rich media integration, and publishing to multiple devices.

How can I get started with Adobe FrameMaker?

You can refer to the Adobe FrameMaker User Guide for getting familiar with the basics, page layout and templates, editing content, tables, graphics and objects, projects, books and long documents, single-sourcing content, review and collaboration, structured authoring, and more.

FrameMaker.dk has two courses for learning Adobe FrameMaker which you may find here: https://framemaker.dk/en/framemakertraining-en

How much does Adobe FrameMaker cost?

Adobe FrameMaker is sold as a subscription. You can find information about the price of a supscription for Adobe FrameMaker here: https://commerce.adobe.com/store/commitment?cli=adobe_com&co=US&ctx=fp&items%5B0%5D%5Bid%5D=430A89DDE001913174EAA3A361CD20D7&lang=en

This is Adobes "Buying Guide" for FrameMaker:

https://www.adobe.com/products/framemaker/buying-guide.html

How can I generate a PDF for my FrameMaker document or book file?

• You can use the File > Save As PDF command to generate a PDF file from your document or book file.

• You can also use the File > Publish command to publish your content to PDF and other formats.

• You can use the Print > Pdf command to print to pdf

Can I import Microsoft Word files into FrameMaker?

Yes, you can import Microsoft Word files into FrameMaker using the File > Import > File command. You can choose to import the Word file as a copy or as a reference. You can also map the Word styles to FrameMaker styles during the import process.

Where can I find additional resources?

You can find additional resources on the Adobe FrameMaker Learn & Support page, such as tutorials,  forums, webinars, documentation, and more.

We have collected som ressources about Adobe FrameMaker here at FrameMaker.dk as well: https://framemaker.dk/en/framemaker-ressourses-en

What are the benefits of using XML/DITA authoring?

XML/DITA authoring allows you to create structured and standardized content that is easy to reuse, update, and customize. You can also leverage the power of DITA maps, topics, elements, attributes, metadata, and conditional processing to manage your content effectively.

How can I publish my content to multiple devices?

You can use the File > Publish command to publish your content to multiple devices and formats, such as PDF, HTML5, EPUB, Kindle, WebHelp, Responsive HTML5, Microsoft HTML Help (CHM), and more. You can also customize the output settings and appearance using presets or custom templates.

What is an Adobe FrameMaker template?

A FrameMaker template is a file which stores all the formatting information which is used in the file, and which can be utilized for building and formatting an entire book.

The two elements of a FrameMaker template

1: Document Level. FrameMaker stores the formatting on the document level in built-in "property groups".

Paragraph formats Character formats Page Layouts (Master Pages) Table Formats Color Definitions Document Properties Reference Pages Variable Definitions Cross Reference Formats Conditional Text Settings Math Definitions Combined Fonts Object Styles

These "groups" (Like for instance the "Paragraph Formats" or the "Object Styles") can be imported from one document to another, And together they form what constitutes as the properties of a FrameMaker template on the document level. All FrameMaker files have their formatting properties organized like this.

You can import the formatting properties from one document to another by using the command File>Import File Options. Point to the file from which you want to import formatting properties.

2. Book Level. Standard elements of a book

Typically you will work with FrameMaker documents as part of a book. You may work with single chapters in a book file or other documents which form parts of a larger book. A book has some standard elements like this:

• Front page
• Title + Copyrights
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Chapters
• Index
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• Lists of References. For instance lists of graphics, fonts, paragraphs etc.
• Lists of Markers. For instance lists of Authors, Subjects etc.

 Some of these files (the files marked with blue in the above lists) are generated files. Meaning that these are files which FrameMaker can generate and populate on the basis of book file settings and settings in the respective files them selves.

The layout and the settings in the generated files, are also to be considered part of the template. So one can have, for instance a table of contents and an index whiche can work as templates for generating other toc's and indexes.

FrameMaker Template Workflow

Templates for Publishing

FrameMaker can publish to different file formats like PDF, HTML5 etc. While PDF is a file format which draws upon "analog" technology like page size, cmyk colors etc, all the other file formats do not. This implies, that there is a "mapping" of information from analog formatting to HTML formatting. The "recipe" for this conversion is what is stored in the Publish Settings file. Which makes the settings file a component in what we might consider a template.

Where do I store a FrameMaker template?

Framemaker templates are stored in the Adobe folder on your local computer. Here you can find an explanation about how you install your template.

How do I apply a FrameMaker template?

You can either

• create a new document by using the dialogue from the Welcome Screen "Create New Document from Template"

or

• import properties from one document to another. Open the document you want to import properties INTO and open the document from which you want to import properties. Click File->Import Properties and select the groups of properties you want to import.