Creating ePub & Apps with Adobe TCS3

Matt Sullivanroundpeg director of training@mattrsullivanmatt@roundpeg.com

Determine where you will create content

• I generally choose FrameMaker

Our example files

• Content in a FrameMaker Book– Easy formatting and organization of content via

template-based workflow• FM Book linked into RoboHelp project– Allows definition of all formats, paths, outputs

Mappings are already completed

• For linking details, see – roundpeg.com– mattrsullivan.com– adobe.com– tmaldous.com

Demo of setup and process

Producing ePub from FM

• Allows quick testing• Select File > Publish to

access the ePub Publish Settings

• Identify – Output location– The linked RH project– .isf mapping file– Location of 7zip for

compression of output

Why FrameMaker?

• allows the greatest range of print and PDF output

• easy ePub output, and integration with RoboHelp for other online formats

When to author in RoboHelp?

• Full control of online formats is critical

• Primary output is Help, not print

• Customization of HTML is required

RoboHelp Single Source Layouts are in place for:

– XML Output (required by FM to generate ePub output)

– AIR– WebHelp (for quick testing)

You actually mentioned MS Word…

• FrameMaker and RoboHelp allow importing or linking of MS Word content

• Importing=content to manage within RoboHelp

• Linking=content to be managed by SME’s

FrameMaker Best Practices (not exclusive to linked projects!!)

• Consistent and rigid style usage• Enforce template usage across docu team• Ensure book and chapter files open without

“missing resource” messages• Ensure book file updates without Book Error

Log messages• Save early, save often!

Generate final ePub with RoboHelp

• Select File > Generate > ePub Output…– If not present, select Tools > Scripts > ePub– To reset toolbar, right-click on menu bar, choose

Customize, then choose Reset• Cover will be the first page in FrameMaker

file• Cover image may not show in

Adobe Digital Editions

ePub Details (RH)

• RoboHelp used the XML Output to process ePub

• Select the appropriate TOC from within the XML Output SSL

Transferring to iPad

• iTunes• Apple AppStore– Register with Apple

• Apple Bookstore

Transferring to Android

• Via USB• Android Marketplace

Transferring to Kindle

• PDF• .mobi

Linked Projects

• Recorded seminars available at – the Adobe booth

(bring a flash drive, 100-200 Mb each– roundpeg.com

(recently reorganized, email matt@roundpeg.com for specific path)

Linking best practices

• Link• Map• Update• ID TOC

When working with linked content

• Format options differ between print and online formats

• Content maps according to project settings• “Odd” representations of Frame content will

create challenging formatting issues in other deliverables

• HTML in RH containing FM_ is likely unmapped and will not be controllable in RH

CSS for online formats

• RHStylemapping.css is the default, but easily changed in File >Project Settings

• An additional .css will be created by FrameMaker to address mapping omissions– Do not try to edit the generated .css

• Do not change the .css mappings for linked content inside of the RoboHelp project

News Flash: RoboHelp 9.01

• Announced May 7, 2011an update to RH 9 is available via the RoboHelp 9 Help menu, or at adobe.com

• Also, CS 5.5 released to address delivery to mobile devices

RoboHelp: Things to watch for

• Spaces in project names and paths• Renaming of projects• Renaming of linked files and TOC’s

RoboHelp Best Practice (FM users)

• If your linked project seems properly configured, but does not output correctly, start with a fresh RH project. The extra 10 minutes spent relinking will likely result in a working output.