This document discusses Adobe FrameMaker XML Author (2015 release) and its abilities to enable both authors and subject matter experts to contribute DITA compliant content without needing to know XML. It highlights how FrameMaker XML Author provides an intuitive user interface, multiple views, MathML equation support, and new DITA 1.3 support to make content contribution easier. It also summarizes how authors can work with FrameMaker XML Author in either a pure XML workflow or a more guided author environment to create DITA topics like tasks, concepts and references.

1. Bernard Aschwanden
www.publishingsmarter.com
bernard@publishingsmarter.com
FrameMaker XML Author 2015
Content Contributors Toolkit
12:35
1
@publishsmarter

2. About this session
12:35@publishsmarter
2
 Adobe FrameMaker XML Author (2015 release) enables both
authors and subject matter experts to easily contribute DITA
compliant content without knowing XML.
 An intuitive UI, multiple views, MathML equation support, and
new DITA 1.3 support make it easier than ever before to get
all content contributors in an enterprise on board for DITA
while keeping the budget low.
 Author DITA compliant content as a subject matter expert in
several ways with FrameMaker XML Author (2015 release).
 Workflows can include pure XML, or working in a guided
author environment.
 Configure your work environment as an author and create
content such as DITA topics (tasks, concepts, references)
using a simple to follow workflow.

3. About your speaker
12:35@publishsmarter
 Publishing Smarter:
President
 Content strategist,
publishing technologies
expert, author, and geek-
enough
 Certified Technical Trainer
 DITA
 Content management
 Topic-based writing
 STC President
(www.stc.org)
3

4. Standard disclaimer
12:35@publishsmarter
 In the interest of brevity I
will make some blanket
statements to keep it
simple
 It’s not all 100% “the
truth”, but I’ll stay close
 Purists may complain
 And they are wrong!
 (except when they are
right)
4

5. I’ll showcase DITA 1.2 support, but…
@publishsmarter 12:35
5
Swapping DITA Versions

6. Switch DITA versions
12:35@publishsmarter
6

7. Choose wisely, consider what you need
12:35@publishsmarter
7

8. Choose an application mapping
12:35@publishsmarter
8

9. Depending on your installation…
@publishsmarter 12:35
9
Set up the workspace

10. FrameMaker, Structured, or XML Author?
12:35@publishsmarter
10
 Three modes are available
 Switch between them if needed
 Or just get the FrameMaker XML Author tool

11. By default you see this (or similar)
12:35@publishsmarter
11

12. Change to a structured author mode
12:35@publishsmarter
12 1
2

13. Structure View: Hierarchy of content
12:35@publishsmarter
13

14. Element Catalog: Contextual list
12:35@publishsmarter
14

15. Setup of a custom workspace (one time)
12:35@publishsmarter
15
1
2

16. Collapse by double-clicking
12:35@publishsmarter
16
1

17. Save your own workspace
12:35@publishsmarter
17
1
2
3
4

18. Remove <related-links>
12:35@publishsmarter
18
1

19. Add a title
12:35@publishsmarter
19
1

20. Content in doc and in Structure View
12:35@publishsmarter
20

21. Inline: View > Element Boundaries (as Tags)
12:35@publishsmarter
21

22. Add content in tags, and select/delete related-
links
12:35@publishsmarter
22

23. View > Hide Element Boundaries
12:35@publishsmarter
23

24. Save the file (anywhere, but make a folder)
12:35@publishsmarter
24

25. @publishsmarter 12:35
25
Create a map

26. To build a New <map> in FrameMaker
12:35@publishsmarter
261
2

27. File > Save Ditamap As...
(m_DITA_and_FrameMaker)
12:35@publishsmarter
27

28. Different views based on
preferences/functions
12:35@publishsmarter
28

29. Change content in an element
12:35@publishsmarter
29

30. When content is selected, just type to edit
12:35@publishsmarter
30

31. To add an existing concept to the map
12:35@publishsmarter
31

32. Add a <topicref> (a topic reference)
12:35@publishsmarter
32

33. Double-click a file that already exists
12:35@publishsmarter
33
1
2

34. So far, pretty simple
12:35@publishsmarter
34

35. To sum up
12:35@publishsmarter
35
 Authors create content using FrameMaker
 Content follows the DITA specification
 Authors need to understand the FrameMaker
interface
 Structure view
 Where/when to click
 Provides a LOT of control over the content

36. Remove the need to think DITA
@publishsmarter 12:35
36
Now, let’s make it simpler

37. Let’s do setup: Edit > Preferences
12:35@publishsmarter
37
1
2
3

38. Enable Simplified XML
12:35@publishsmarter
38
1
2
3

39. Relaunch, then File > New > XML
12:35@publishsmarter
39
1
2
3

40. Change the default interface
12:35@publishsmarter
40

41. In FrameMaker XML Author...
12:35@publishsmarter
41

42. … you can make DITA editing super simple
12:35@publishsmarter
42

43. And if you DO like the code...
12:35@publishsmarter
43

44. … Use a full text based XML editor
12:35@publishsmarter
44

45. Make the view your own
12:35@publishsmarter
45

46. In closing, for the techies…
12:35@publishsmarter
46
 Support files:
 C:Program Files
(x86)AdobeAdobeFrameMaker2015StructurexmlDITA_1.2
appFrameMakersimplifiedxml
 Includes:
 config files for appearance
 EDD for allowed structure
 templates

47. Summing up the discussion,
and options to continue it.
@publishsmarter 12:35
47
Conclusion and contact

48. Services
12:35@publishsmarter
48

49. Follow up contact information
12:35@publishsmarter
49
905 833 8448 (Eastern Time)
bernard@publishingsmarter.com
www.linkedin.com/in/bernardaschwanden
@publishsmarter
www.publishingsmarter.com