ADOBE Technical Communication Suite - 5 User Manual
ADOBE® TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION SUITE 5
Legal notices
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For legal notices, see http://help.adobe.com/en_US/legalnotices/index.html.
Last updated 1/8/2015
Contents
Chapter 1: Getting started
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Activation and registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Adobe Product Improvement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Services, downloads, and extras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Adobe Technical Communication Suite 5 overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2: Rich media
Adding rich media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Insert Photoshop images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Insert Adobe Captivate demo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Using PDF Portfolios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Chapter 3: Using FrameMaker with RoboHelp
Authoring and publishing workflow using FrameMaker and RoboHelp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Synchronizing linked FrameMaker documents with RoboHelp projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
FrameMaker document components converted to RoboHelp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Conversion basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Automap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Pagination, topic naming, and context-sensitive Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Converting FrameMaker content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
HTML publishing workflow using Technical Communication Suite and standalone products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Publishing the current document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
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Chapter 4: Review and collaboration
Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Send documents for review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Incorporating review comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Collaboration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Chapter 5: Working with ExtendScript
ExtendScript toolkit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Preparing scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Last updated 1/8/2015
Chapter 1: Getting started
Resources
Before you begin working with your software, take a few moments to read an overview of activation and the many
resources available to you. You have access to instructional videos, plug-ins, templates, user communities, seminars,
tutorials, RSS feeds, and much more.
Activation and registration
Help with installation
For more information on installation issues, see the Technical Communication Suite Help and Support page at
www.adobe.com/go/learn_tcs_en.
1
Activate the software
During the installation process, your Adobe software contacts Adobe to complete the license activation process. No
personal data is transmitted. For more information on product activation, visit the Adobe website at
www.adobe.com/go/activation.
A single-user retail license activation supports two computers. For example, you can install the product on a desktop
computer at work and on a laptop computer at home. If you want to install the software on a third computer, first
deactivate it on one of the other two computers. Choose Help > Deactivate.
Register
Register your suite to receive complimentary installation support, notifications of updates, and other services. Register
only once for Adobe Technical Communication Suite.
❖ To register, enter your Adobe ID when prompted when you install or launch the software.
If you choose to skip entering your Adobe ID during installation or launch, you can register within next 30 days by
choosing Help > Product Registration. You can also set a reminder to register after a few days of software installation.
Adobe Product Improvement Program
You can participate in the Adobe Product Improvement Program. After you have used your Adobe software a few
times, a dialog box appears, asking whether you want to participate in the program.
If you choose to participate, data about your use of Adobe software is sent to Adobe. No personal information is
recorded or sent. The Adobe Product Improvement Program only collects information about the features and tools
that you use in the software and how often you use them.
You can opt in to or opt out of the program at any time:
• To participate, choose Help > Product Improvement Program and click Yes, Participate.
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TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION SUITE 5
Getting started
• To stop participating, choose Help > Product Improvement Program and click No, Thank You.
Adobe provides more information about the Product Improvement Program in a frequently asked questions (FAQ)
list on the
Adobe website.
Services, downloads, and extras
You can enhance your product by integrating various services, plug-ins, and extensions in your product. You can also
download samples and other assets to complete your work.
Adobe Exchange
Visit the Adobe Exchange at www.adobe.com/go/exchange to download samples as well as plug-ins and extensions
from Adobe and third-party developers. Use these plug-ins and extensions to automate tasks, customize workflows,
create specialized professional effects, and apply more creativity in work.
Adobe downloads
Visit www.adobe.com/go/downloads to find free updates, trials, and other useful software.
2
Adobe TV
Visit Adobe TV at http://tv.adobe.com/channel/technical-communication/to view instructional and inspirational
videos on Technical Communication Suite.
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TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION SUITE 5
Getting started
Adobe Technical Communication Suite 5 overview
Adobe Technical Communication Suite software is an end-to-end solution for authoring, reviewing, managing, and
publishing technical information and training content. You can use it to create and maintain technical documentation,
user assistance systems, knowledgebases, simulations, software demonstrations, and other support information.
ADOBE TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION SUITE 5 WORKFLOW
3
Author
FrameMaker 12
RoboHelp 11
Components
Create, import, and update
content, taking advantage
of an HTML- or XML-based
single-source workow.
Use Cases
Enrich/Engage
Adobe Captivate 8
Illustrator CS6
Acrobat XI Pro Captivate Reviewer
RoboScreen Capture
Adobe Presenter 10
Integrate rich media and
interactive assets, including
Adobe Captivate videos.
Create PDF portfolios.
Review/Collaborate
Acrobat XI Pro
FrameMaker 12
RoboSource Control
Set up shared reviews in the
cloud and import comments.
Gather feedback from users
by publishing content as AIR
Help output from RoboHelp.
Publish
PDF
Multiscreen HTML5
EPUB
17 Output Formats
Produce media-rich content
in multiple formats,
including PDF, Multiscreeen
HTML5, Responsive HTML5
XML, and EPUB. Distribute
content to mobile devices,
eBook readers, and tablets.
The tight integration of component products in the suite enables true single-source authoring. You can author content
once and publish it in multiple formats and languages. For example, you can author content in Adobe FrameMaker
and output it in multiple formats using Adobe RoboHelp.
You can also enrich content through interactive 3D models, rich media, multilayered images, demonstrations, and
embedded SWF movies. Using the cross-platform Adobe AIR Help format, you can push updates to your Help content
even after you have delivered it.
This latest release of Adobe Technical Communication Suite includes the following components:
• Adobe® FrameMaker® 12: Author and publish technical content, with XML, DITA standards support, and excellent
PDF publishing capabilities. Includes content management support such as Adobe Experience Manager, EMC
Documentum 6.5, 6.7, and Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007, 2010.
• Adobe® RoboHelp® 11: Author and publish procedural- or process-based online Help and knowledgebases. Also
includes RoboScreenCapture for still image capturing, and RoboSource Control for managing project source files.
• Adobe® Captivate® 8: Rapidly create powerful and engaging simulations and interactive content. Author rich
eLearning content that includes branching scenarios, Table of content, quizzes, and SCORM- and AICC-compliant
multimedia content.
• Adobe® Acrobat® XI Pro: Reliably create, combine, and control Adobe PDF documents for easy, secure distribution,
collaboration, and forms data collection. Create stunning portfolios that combine several file types, such as image
formats, FLV file, PDF, SWF file, and interactive 3D.
• Adobe® Presenter® 10: Create engaging presentations and courses rapidly and easily.
• Adobe® RoboScreen Capture®: Capture your screen and edit it to create illustrations.
• Adobe® RoboSource Control®: Configuration and workflow management for your content.
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TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION SUITE 5
Getting started
Top features of Adobe Technical Communication Suite
Seamless content creation Create, review, manage, and publish technical information seamlessly. You can publish
your content in XML, DITA, PDF or as printed manuals.
Create Rich PDF FrameMaker excels at creating richly formatted PDF output. Using FrameMaker, you can add 3D,
graphics, audio, video, multimedia, and interactive content. Embed Adobe Captivate demos and simulations in online
Help projects and PDF documents. For more information, see
Multi-Channel, multi-device publishing FrameMaker ships with a stand-alone multi-channel, multi-device publishing
solution that provides unmatched publishing flexibility along with powerful options to customize the output formats.
Besides the existing richly formatted PDF out, you can output to Responsive HTML5, WebHelp, ePub, Amazon
Kindle, and Microsoft HTML Help (chm).
Single-sourcing (tighter FrameMaker and RoboHelp integration) You can create content once in FrameMaker and
publish it for print/DVD world as XML, DITA, PDF file, or printed guides. You can single source the same content in
RoboHelp and create online content as .chm, webhelp, AIR, or EPUB files. Further, you can directly generate online
Help from FrameMaker. Single-sourcing reduces content creation time as duplication is prevented. Single-sourcing
also reduces errors as reviews are singular, and saves localization costs as same content is being leveraged across
mediums. For more information, see
Multi-device output Devices are in. Users now demand content to be displayed through smartphones or Internet-
“Using FrameMaker with RoboHelp” on page 13.
enabled devices, such as Kindle. With RoboHelp, you can now create EPUB-content that appears well across various
devices. Multiscreen HTML5 output lets you deliver a reading experience that is optimized for specific types of devices.
Using Responsive HTML5, you can create a single output that is optimized for all your screens.
“Rich media” on page 6.
4
DITA Support and multi-channel publishing Author your DITA projects in FrameMaker and then leverage the power
of RoboHelp to create online Help. You can create MultiScreen HTML5, WebHelp, .chm, EPUB 3.0, EPUB 2.0.1,
Kindle Book, Air, Flashhelp, Javahelp, Oraclehelp, or Eclipsehelp files. With FrameMaker, there is no need to convert
DITA documents into books only for linking-purpose. You can directly link to DITA documents. For more
information, see
Review and Collaboration Technical Communication Suite includes Acrobat that lets you collaborate on documents.
“Authoring and publishing workflow using FrameMaker and RoboHelp” on page 13.
Use Acrobat.com to share PDF files, set up and manage reviews through e-mails, and collaborate on PDF documents.
Initiate reviews from within FrameMaker, RoboHelp, and Adobe Captivate, without having to exit authoring
applications for setting up reviews. Generate PDFs that can be commented with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Document
reviewers do not need to have Acrobat or Technical Communication Suite installed on their systems to comment
documents using Acrobat Reader. For more information, see
Create Cross-platform output Deliver your Help projects in the cross-platform Adobe AIR format. You can push
“Review and collaboration” on page 45.
updates to your Adobe AIR Help projects even after you have delivered them.
Easy multimedia recording You can also record a new Adobe Captivate demonstration from within FrameMaker or
RoboHelp. You can publish captivate output as SWF file, Zipped package, PDF, or Autorun movie on CD. For more
information, see
Publishing Projects. You can use Adobe Captivate Reviewer application to efficiently review and
comment on Adobe Captivate projects.
Create secure PDFs and PDF Portfolios Reliably create, combine, and control Adobe PDF documents for easy, secure
distribution, collaboration, and forms data collection. Create quality portfolios. For more information, see
“Rich
media” on page 6.
Effective copy-editing Use AuthorAssistant with FrameMaker to improve content consistency and translatability. For
more information, see
Style and linguistic checks using SDL AuthorAssistant 2010 SP1.
Automate manual tasks Use ExtendScript to automate daily mechanical tasks that require manipulation of simple or
complex objects. You can use ExtensScript with FrameMaker, Photoshop, and RoboHelp. It allows robust automation
of tasks across products. For more information, see
“Working with ExtendScript” on page 47.
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TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION SUITE 5
Getting started
SCORM, AICC, and PENS support through Adobe Captivate 5 Adobe Captivate 5 supports most e-learning content
creation standards for single-click publishing to learning management systems (LMS). SCORM (Shareable Content
Object Reference Model) is a set of specifications used to produce reusable e-learning objects. It defines
communication between a client (such as Adobe Captivate) and a host (usually an LMS). For more details, see
Learning management system (LMS).
Enhanced image-editing Capture images and screenshots for your Help projects using RoboScreenCapture and use
the powerful features in Adobe Illustrator CS6 to edit and enhance them. You can also animate the different layers of
a Photoshop image in Adobe Captivate.
5
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Chapter 2: Rich media
Adding rich media
You can create an engaging experience for your customers using the rich media capabilities of the Adobe Technical
Communication Suite. The simplicity of authoring your content once, and publishing it for multiple channels and
devices opens the floodgates to a multitude of possibilities. Never before, was it so simple to integrate 3D, graphics,
audio, video, multimedia, and interactive content in your publishing workflows.
Table
3D
HTML
XML
6
IMAGES FLASH
ILLUSTRATIONS
TABULAR DATA
HTML 3D VIDEO
PDF XML PRINT
AIR EPUB
ONLINE HELP
Rich media opens opportunities to provide various types of content within your documentation. You can even
combine various media types to create documentation that users don’t only just read, but watch, listen to, and interact
with as well. For example, you could use a camcorder to record a narration and add the video to accompany a demo
that you’ve added.
The following table lists the media you can add to your documents while authoring in the various TCS applications.
FrameMaker RoboHelp Adobe Captivate
3D
Graphic/Image
Audio
Video
Interactive/SWF
Rich media and FrameMaker
Adding rich media to FrameMaker documents
1 In FrameMaker, place the cursor at the place you want to insert the file.
2 Choose File > Import > File. The Import dialog box opens.
3 In the Import dialog box, do one of the following:
• Navigate to the file and click Import.
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Rich media
• Click Browse URL to navigate to a file
• Click Browse CMS, and navigate to the file on your configured shared repository.
4 If the file type is not recognized, an Unknown File Type dialog box displays, select the closest content type and click
Convert.
5 In the Imported Graphic Scaling dialog box, select an option to fit the rich media object and click Set.
The rich media object is placed in your document, inside an anchored frame.
• Graphic and 3D objects are rendered and a representation is displayed.
• Audio and video objects display an icon.
• Interactive content displays the default poster image. If the SWF does not have a default poster image, a Play button
is displayed instead.
Specify poster images for audio, videos, 3D, and SWF content
The poster image is the default image that displays unless the movie is played. By default, either standard icons or the
first frame of the movie is used as it’s poster image. The set poster command lets you specify an image to be displayed
as a poster for the movie.
Right-click the movie or SWF content, and choose Set Poster, and browse to the image file to use as the poster.You can
also play a video and select any frame as a poster.
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Working with 3D models
You can add 3D models to your FrameMaker documents. When you publish the document to PDF or generate
WebHelp outputs using RoboHelp, these models are interactive and users can move the objects around.
Note: 3D models work well in the WebHelp outputs of RoboHelp only when the 3D view and all objects linking to it are
placed in an anchored frame.
A 3D model inside a PDF.
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TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION SUITE 5
Rich media
3D models are supported inside PDFs. You can view the PDF using Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. For more
information on using 3D and Acrobat, see Interacting with 3D models.
When you publish the FrameMaker files to HTML or other formats, the default view of the 3D model is rendered as an
image. However, in RoboHelp you can specify the Preserve 3D Images option (Project Settings > FrameMaker
Document > Edit > Image), 3D models are published as embedded PDF files that open when users navigate to that page.
You can also specify the basic 3D settings right inside FrameMaker. Access to the original 3D application is not
required. Use the 3D options to change the background color, lighting, and render modes for the 3D model. Rightclick and choose 3D to access these controls.
Setting multimedia preferences
In FrameMaker Preferences, specify if you want to embed multimedia objects in PDF.
1 Choose File > Preferences > General.
2 Check the following as required:
• Embed Adobe Flash files in PDF
• Embed 3D objects in PDF
• Embed multimedia objects in PDF
8
Rich media and RoboHelp
Inserting graphics
1 In RoboHelp, place your cursor at the location to insert the file.
2 Choose Insert > Image. The Image dialog box opens.
3 In the Image Name field, specify the file to import or use the browse button and navigate to the file.
4 Optionally, specify the Size, Margins, and Borders.
5 Click OK to add the graphic.
Adding multimedia content
You can add multimedia content to your documents you author in RoboHelp.
1 In RoboHelp, place your cursor at the location to insert the file.
2 Choose Insert > Multimedia/Demo. The Multimedia dialog box opens.
3 In the Multimedia Name field specify the file to import or use the browse button and navigate to the file.
4 Optionally, specify the Size, Margins, and Borders.
5 Click OK to add the content.
The selected file is added to the RoboHelp topic.
Adobe Captivate integration (TCS only)
If you have Microsoft® Word® and Adobe Captivate installed on the same computer, you can publish Adobe Captivate
projects in various layouts in Microsoft Word. These layouts are handout, lesson, step-by-step, and storyboard.
With RoboHelp installed as part of Technical Communication Suite, you can add topics with handout and step-bystep output generated from an Adobe Captivate project.
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TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION SUITE 5
Rich media
Create demo, step-by-step, and handout topics from an Adobe Captivate project
1 In RoboHelp, choose File >New >Adobe Captivate Topic.
2 Specify the Adobe Captivate project name.
3 Select the type of topic that you want to add and specify a topic title and filename:
a Demo Topic: Contains slides from the Adobe Captivate project with the demo.
Note: Previous versions of RoboHelp allowed you to launch Adobe Captivate from within RoboHelp and add topics
with the demo output of an Adobe Captivate project.
b Step-By-Step Topic: Contains the list of steps recorded in the Adobe Captivate project. The topic does not
include the background image of the slides but does include images of interactive objects (buttons, links, and so
on) in the steps.
c Handout Topic: Contains all the slides as they appear with the layout options you choose.
Note: To use the Step-By-Step and Handout topic types, you need to ensure that Microsoft Word is installed on the
computer running RoboHelp.
4 Click OK.
Note: A new project with the specified name is opened in Adobe Captivate. RoboHelp is minimized. You cannot access
RoboHelp while Adobe Captivate is open.
9
5 Record the slides and edit them as required. Save the project and close Adobe Captivate.
Adobe Captivate publishes the recording as a SWF file, a step-by-step document, and a handout document
depending on the options you selected. In the open RoboHelp project, you'll find new topics) added with the
output.
The topics containing the Adobe Captivate output store the absolute path of Adobe Captivate project in topic
properties. Therefore, moving the Adobe Captivate project is not recommended. RoboHelp project keeps the
absolute path of the captivate project. Later, you can edit the Adobe Captivate generated topics or SWF file using
the same project.
These topics should be edited with Captivate only. Any changes made within the Design editor are lost if you update
the topics again with captivate.
Edit, rename, or delete step-by-step and handout topics
Edit a step-by-step or handout topic
• Select the topic in Project Manager, right-click, and select Edit.
If the RoboHelp project contains topics created from the same project, RoboHelp checks whether you want those
topics to be updated along with the selected topic. You can specify the topics) you want RoboHelp to update.
You can edit a step-by-step or handout topic in Design Editor. However, these changes are overwritten if you
update the topic later using the Edit option from the context-sensitive menu. You can update a demo from within
RoboHelp in versions earlier than Captivate 7. However, Captivate 7 is required to create or update topics in
RoboHelp.
Delete a step-by-step or handout topic
❖ Select the topic in Project Manager, right-click, and select Delete.
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Rich media
Import step-by-step and handout topics
You can import step-by-step and handout output from existing Adobe Captivate projects. RoboHelp adds a topic for
each type of output you select.
Import Adobe Captivate project in RoboHelp (TCS only)
Create demo, step-by-step, and handout topics from an Adobe Captivate project
1 In RoboHelp, choose File >Import >Adobe Captivate Project.
2 Navigate to a .cp or .cptx file and select it.
3 In the import Adobe Captivate Topic dialog, select the type of topics you want to create from the Adobe Captivate
project and specify the filenames and titles.
a Demo Topic: Contains slides from the Adobe Captivate project with the demo. To generate HTML 5 output,
select HTML 5.
Note: Previous versions of RoboHelp allowed you to launch Adobe Captivate from within RoboHelp and add topics
with the demo output of an Adobe Captivate project.
b Step-By-Step Topic: Contains the list of steps recorded in the Adobe Captivate project. The topic does not
include the background image of the slides but does include images of interactive objects (buttons, links, and so
on) in the steps.
c Handout Topic: Contains all the slides as they appear with the layout options you choose.
4 Click OK.
TCS launches Adobe Captivate and generates the specified outputs. Once the outputs are created, Adobe Captivate
is closed and the outputs are imported to RoboHelp.
10
Adobe Captivate publishes the recording as a SWF (and HTML 5 if you selected it) file, a step-by-step document,
and a handout document depending on the options you selected. In the open RoboHelp project, you'll find new
topics added with the output.
The topics containing the Adobe Captivate output store the absolute path of Adobe Captivate project in topic
properties. Therefore, moving the Adobe Captivate project is not recommended. RoboHelp project keeps the
absolute path of the Adobe Captivate project. Later, you can edit the Adobe Captivate generated topics or SWF file
using the same project.
These topics should be edited with Adobe Captivate only. Any changes made within the Design editor are lost if
you update the topics again with Adobe Captivate.
Edit, rename, or delete step-by-step and handout topics
Edit a step-by-step or handout topic
• Select the topic in Project Manager, right-click, and select Edit.
If the RoboHelp project contains topics created from the same project, RoboHelp checks whether you want those
topics to be updated along with the selected topic. You can specify the topics) you want RoboHelp to update.
You can edit a step-by-step or handout topic in Design Editor. However, these changes are overwritten if you
update the topic later using the Edit option from the context-sensitive menu. You can update a demo from within
RoboHelp in versions earlier than Captivate 7. However, Captivate 7 is required to create or update topics in
RoboHelp.
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Delete a step-by-step or handout topic
❖ Select the topic in Project Manager, right-click, and select Delete.
Import step-by-step and handout topics
You can import step-by-step and handout output from existing Adobe Captivate projects. RoboHelp adds a topic for
each type of output you select.
Insert Photoshop images
You can insert native Adobe Photoshop images to your projects. On publishing, the PSD files are rasterized and
attributes such as Photoshop filters, layer visibility are maintained. To insert a Photoshop file:
FrameMaker Choose File > Import, and then browse to the PSD file.
Adobe Captivate Choose File > Import > Photoshop File.
Adobe Captivate lets you select individual layers to import, or flatten the layers to import. If you import individual
layers, each layer is treated as a separate image in Adobe Captivate.
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Editing Photoshop and Illustrator graphics
You can import native Adobe Photoshop (PSD) and Adobe Illustrator (AI) files into your FrameMaker documents.
And you can open these graphics for editing from within FrameMaker. FrameMaker supports layers, and you can
import graphics with multiple layers into your document.
To edit the graphic:
1 Click the imported graphic to select it.
2 Right-click and choose one of the following:
• Edit with Illustrator
• Edit with Photoshop
3 The graphic opens in the selected application. Edit the graphic and save it.
The graphic is updated in your document.
Insert Adobe Captivate demo
You can include Adobe Captivate demos into your documents to create truly rich and engaging content. You can insert
Adobe Captivate demos in FrameMaker and RoboHelp. Publish an existing Adobe Captivate project as a SWF file, and
then import the SWF file into your document. You can also specify poster images for the multimedia demos.
FrameMaker Choose File > Adobe Captivate > Insert Adobe Captivate Demo, and then browse to the location where
you want to save the SWF file. Enter a SWF filename and click Save. Adobe Captivate is launched and a new Adobe
Captivate project is created and the SWF content is placed in your document.
RoboHelp Choose Insert > Adobe Captivate Demo, and then browse to the SWF file.
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SWF file within the documentation.
More Help topics
“Specify poster images for audio, videos, 3D, and SWF content” on page 7
Using PDF Portfolios
PDF Portfolios let you package several documents into a single PDF file. Portfolios provide unified navigation, search,
and seamless transition between documents. You can also add a cover page to introduce your users to the portfolio
and reinforce your brand by adding images, logos, and other messaging information.
Portfolios provide you a mechanism to package disparate media, into a single PDF package. Your customers can view
the portfolio using the free Adobe Reader: no special software is required.
You can collect PDF files, native MS Office documents, images, videos, SWFs, and even online videos, such as
YouTube videos, in your portfolio.
Collect your files and then use Acrobat to create your portfolio.
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Chapter 3: Using FrameMaker with RoboHelp
Authoring and publishing workflow using FrameMaker and RoboHelp
If your authoring and publishing environment includes these two tools, you have multiple options of incorporating
their strengths into your workflow.
You can map FrameMaker formats directly to RoboHelp styles in a standard CSS that ensures consistency in
appearance and behavior across the entire project. In addition, within FrameMaker, you can use markers to denote
context-sensitive topics, which you can directly reuse in RoboHelp to create a context-sensitive Help system.
FrameMaker and RoboHelp as independent products If you have FrameMaker and RoboHelp as independent
products, you can retain your authoring workflow. In this workflow, you author content in FrameMaker for print and
PDF output. Then you use RoboHelp to generate richly formatted online Help. Both FrameMaker and RoboHelp
provide enhanced features for importing FrameMaker content into RoboHelp projects. You can also use them
together to create online Help formats such as WebHelp and Help based on Adobe AIR.
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FrameMaker as a multi-channel, mult-device publishing engine FrameMaker ships with a muti-channle, multi-
device publishing solution. This solution allows you to publish to the following output formats from within
FrameMaker - providing your readers with access to your documents across different devices and different form
factors:
• Responsive HTML5
• WebHelp
• ePub
• Kindle
• Microsoft HTML Help
Note: This solution does not require you to install RoboHelp or the Adobe Technical Communications Suite.
Adobe Technical Communication Suite Adobe® Technical Communications Suite provides technical communicators
a streamlined workflow to author content once and deliver in multiple formats. You can author in FrameMaker and
publish richly formatted PDF for print and online viewing. Technical Communication Suite provides more features
than the component applications that make the suite. You can integrate FrameMaker and RoboHelp authoring and
publishing and dynamically link FrameMaker and RoboHelp content.
Adobe Technical Communication Suite includes Adobe Captivate and Adobe Photoshop—tools that you can use to
include rich multimedia capabilities in your output formats. In addition, you can use Adobe Acrobat to set up shared
reviews and consolidate review comments and edits. You can later import these comments and edits into your
FrameMaker documents.
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