FrameMaker 9 - New and Enhanced Functions

The new user interface

The first thing that you notice when you start FrameMaker 9 is the completely redesigned modern interface. The interface was modeled after the user interface of other Adobe products. It is more visually attractive, more intuitive, and simpler. Writers can now individually arrange toolbars and control bars in the work environment and dock the most used dialog boxes, called pods. These pods can be shown, hidden, and positioned anywhere, and their positions can be saved.

Improved structured authoring

A long awaited change is the expansion of the book function: in FrameMaker 9, books can be integrated into other books. This allows you to better organize files within complex documents and offers additional numbering options. Writers can integrate XML files, in particular DITA files, into one book and create cross-references to DITA maps or bookmaps. For these books, you can easily generate indexes and create PDF documents.A long awaited change is the expansion of the book function: in FrameMaker 9, books can be integrated into other books. This allows you to better organize files within complex documents and offers additional numbering options. Writers can integrate XML files, in particular DITA files, into one book and create cross-references to DITA maps or Bookmaps. You can easily generate indexes and create PDF documents for these books.

DITA

Another significant improvement in FrameMaker 9 that it fully supports the DITA standards DITA 1.1 and some features of DITA 1.2. DITA 1.1 includes specializations for bookmaps, index entries, and glossary entries. DITA 1.2 - Learning and Training Content Specialization (Beta Version) - can be used to develop training documentation. The improved user interface also offers some advantages in this area and is designed to make managing DITA maps and book maps as easy as organizing books. The enhanced support also makes it possible to integrate elements such as graphics, objects, and tables.

Importing comments from PDF files

In the technical documentation field, feedback from experts and colleagues is always necessary. For this, FrameMaker 9 provides you with the additional useful function of importing PDF comments. Documentation is distributed in PDF format for review, people add their comments, and then these comments can be imported into the FrameMaker files.

Editing images with RoboScreenCapture

With RoboScreenCapture, FrameMaker 9 has added image editing capability. You can now create and edit screen shots of dialog boxes and menus with just a few mouse clicks.

CMYK support for Windows

In FrameMaker 9, you can create objects in Adobe PDF format that support CMYK for Windows (TIFF, JPEG and PSD), which gives you improved printing options. You can also easily switch from CMYK to RGB.

Enhanced language functions

FrameMaker 9 also supports Asian characters. An additional tab, "Asian", has been added to the Paragraph Designer. As well as the characters, building blocks for Chinese, Japanese and Korean are also provided.

Other new features:

• With enhanced WebDAV support, content can be integrated into any content management system.
• The import function for CSS templates helps establish consistent layout throughout your documents.
• The import function for Microsoft Word files has been improved.

Is it worth purchasing or upgrading to FrameMaker 9?

FrameMaker 9 offers many improvements that make it significantly easier to create, manage, and publish documentation. With all these improvements, it makes sense to consider purchasing or upgrading to FrameMaker 9.

FrameMaker training courses from Comet Communication

Comet Communication provides comprehensive training courses for FrameMaker, which allow you to quickly bring your knowledge up-to-date. We offer individual training customized entirely to your needs. Our flexible course structure makes intensive sessions in small groups possible. On request, we also provide in-house training.

You can find all our FrameMaker training courses, as well as Comet´s complete course program, at:
http://www.comet.de/english/schulung/kursprogramm.php

For more information about FrameMaker 9, visit:
http://www.adobe.com/products/framemaker/