1 A Manager’s Guide to Converting XML to Structured FrameMaker Doug Martin

2 Project Overview Why Structured FrameMaker? FrameMaker can read and write XML or SGML using conversion tools that are native to FrameMaker Formatting changes can be made using two different methods FrameMaker’s interface is easily learned

3 Conversion Tools Converting SGML to Structured FrameMaker requires the following tools: EDD (Element Definition Document) Read/Write Rules Structured Template

4 What is an EDD? An EDD contains Structure Rules and Context Formatting Rules Structure Rules determine the list of elements, how many are required, in what order they may occur, and in which contexts they are allowed Context Formatting Rules determine how elements look in different situations

5 What are Read/Write Rules? Read/Write Rules are instructions to: Import XML/SGML content into Structured FrameMaker Export Structured FrameMaker files to XML/SGML

6 What is a Structured Template? A Structured Template is usually two files: A blank document with the structure rules and context format rules from the EDD. This is used to create new Structured FrameMaker documents from SGML/XML. A Document Template containing unstructured formats, which are imported into the blank document. This is where formats are created and maintained.

7 Formatting Choices There are two ways to format Structured FrameMaker documents: 1.Define formatting rules in the EDD 2.Use a Document Template

8 Defining Formatting Rules in an EDD To create formatting in the EDD: Takes more time Is a longer process Requires specialized knowledge The syntax is harder to read

9 Using a Document Template Formats in the unstructured FrameMaker template are generally easier to create and revise because they are all GUI-driven This is the most commonly-used approach to define formatting for Structured FrameMaker documents

10 Learning Structured FrameMaker As an Adobe Certified FrameMaker instructor, we offer three Adobe- developed courses for Structured FrameMaker: Authoring Structured Documents –General training how to use Structured FrameMaker Defining Structure using EDDs –General training how to understand, create, and maintain EDDs Importing/Exporting SGML –General training how to convert SGML to Structured FrameMaker. The first day will provide the foundation for the Customized Process Training In addition to the standard courses, we recommend a custom course: Customized XML Conversion Process Training –This course walks users through the exact conversion process we use to convert SGML to Structured FrameMaker. This course is specific to each organization and uses the custom EDD, Read/Write Rules, and Structured Template created for the organization. Users will learn the exact steps to convert SGML to Structured FrameMaker.

11 How it all works EDD Read/Write Rules Structured Application

12 How it all works In this section, the source SGML is converted to a Structured FrameMaker document

13 Client Work List