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Subject:Re: Converting Frame to editable format From:John -dot- Cornellier -at- PARIS -dot- IE -dot- PHILIPS -dot- COM Date:Thu, 28 Aug 1997 10:29:50 +0200
To convert from Frame & some Word to PDF, HLP, a form that is editable by the
client, and printed doc, I recommend the following procedure:
1. If you've never done HLP, get Doc2Help for Word 6 or 95. It's easy to learn &
is a good compromise between printed & online.
2. Set up a bulletproof template. Resist the urge to get fancy: Use default
styles and stick to Arial & Times.
3. Save your Frame files to RTF and then import them into Word.
4. Format the docs & set up HLP CT. Do not to deviate from your template. No
style overrides: If something doesn't work, fix the template.
5. Output to print, PDF, and HLP, and Bob's yer uncle.
You can optionally set up PDF hypertext jumps.
As for what you send your clients: DOC's good 'cause your clients already us it.
But you may need to send templates, fonts, & graphics in order for them to work.
As Tim said, why send them something pretty that they're going to change? Send
'em raw txt. RTF is good.
You wrote "going to RTF from PDF makes it editable, but you lose the graphics".
PDF is _not_ editable: That's its main raison d'etre. You won't lose graphics.
Tim Altom rightly said that the editing tool is your centrepiece from which you
output everything else. He prefered Frame.
Frame is a heavy-duty industrial tool: Use it if your docs are very complex
and/or big and/or graphically sophisticated. Otherwise use Word. Frame can't
search for txt across chapters, has no outline mode, is slower to export to HLP,
and lacks Word's simple macro interface. I'm not saying I prefer Word. I use
both. It's a question of the right tool for the job.
John mailto:john -dot- cornellier -at- paris -dot- ie -dot- philips -dot- com
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