Writing Tools — FrameMaker

Lotech Solutions ( www.lotechsolutions.com)

Adobe FrameMaker (FM) has long been—and remains—an important writing tool for technical authors and editors. 

FrameMaker's major benefit over word-based layout tools is revealed in its name; it is a frame-based tool—designed to layout its presentation using multiple frames.

FrameMaker is not a document viewing tool—like word-based document creation tools—so is only used during document creation, and generates an output document (like PDF or HTML) for distribution and viewing.

FM is modelled after the printed and bound book paradigm, consisting of a master document file termed a book, which can contain front-matter, a master Table of Contents (TOC), book sections, book chapters, and a master index.

FM books

FrameMaker uses a "book" file (with a ".book" extension) to store the detail about what's in the book, such as:

• the topic files and their order within the book;
• auto-generated files such as the TOC (Table Of Contents) and Index;
• the pagination details and page numbering sequence;
• variables and settings common to all files across the book;
• numbering streams for sections, chapters, headings, figures and tables.

however, also allows for multiple page sizes in a document.

 

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See Also

FrameMaker Tricks |  Lotech Solutions' Tips, Tricks, and Procedures

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