Authoring modes

Introduction

Adobe FrameMaker offers the following authoring modes:

• FrameMaker mode

• Structured FrameMaker mode

• XML Source Code Editor

Depending on whether you take the structured or unstructured approach to content authoring or if you want to edit XML source code, you can choose an appropriate authoring mode for your content.

Choose an authoring mode

The first time you launch FrameMaker, the default authoring mode is set to Structured FrameMaker. You can change the mode from the Preferences dialog:

1. Choose Edit > Preferences to open the Preferences dialog.

2. In the Preferences dialog, choose Global > General.

3. In the Product Interface drop-down list, select the FrameMaker mode and click OK.

You are prompted to restart FrameMaker for the changes to take effect.

The FrameMaker user interface provides for a seamless transition between unstructured and Structured FrameMaker authoring. The menu options and other user interface elements are consistent between both the modes. The options, however, are specific to the mode in which you are authoring.

FrameMaker mode

The FrameMaker mode is ideal for authoring content that need not be tied to a rigid structure. The style-based authoring relies on a template to define the presentation of content. Paragraph, character, table, and object styles are often based on style guides, and content writing rules specified by editors. You, as an author, decide the content flow and formatting. For example, depending on the nature of your content, you may include headings followed either by paragraphs or by graphics. This means that in a unstructured authoring workflow, you create relatively free-flow documents that are largely style-based.

A typical workflow for standard authoring in FrameMaker comprises the following tasks:

• Create single documents.

• Compile multiple documents in a book.

• Specify how content is presented by defining paragraph, character, table, and object styles.

• Create templates providing predefined styles, that can be shared with multiple authors.

• Use the Document window to author the content.

• Work in any of the supported formats: standard documents (.fm), Maker Interchange Format documents (.mif), and books (.book).

Structured FrameMaker mode

Use the Structured FrameMaker mode for documents that need to adhere to a structure. The structure is defined by the elements and attributes that are available as well as the valid location of these elements in the structure.

Every object of a document – for example, a paragraph, a section, a topic, or a table – is expressed as an element. When you create a structured document, you need to ensure that every element is present at a structurally valid location. Structured authoring ensures consistency of structure across similar pieces of content.

Following are some examples of structural rules:

• A bulleted list must contain at least three items.

• A section must start with a heading.

• A heading must be followed by a paragraph.

• A table must have a heading row.

• A graphic must have a caption.

A typical workflow for structured authoring in FrameMaker comprises the following tasks:

• Create individual structured documents or include multiple documents in a DITA map or a book.

• Use the existing structured samples or create a custom structure based on EDDs or DTDs.

• Include the right elements to define the flow of content. Some elements also include formatting information that you can use to specify styles.

• The underlying structure ensures consistency across content in a multi-author environment.

• Use the Elements catalog or keyboard shortcuts to insert new elements for text, images, tables, and other objects.

• Use the Structure View to navigate through your document and also move elements around. The Structure View also indicates the validity of your document against the underlying structure.

• Author in any of the supported formats: structured documents (.fm), XML documents (.xml, .dita), and books (.book, .ditamap).

See a video on Introduction to Structured FrameMaker.