Migrating EDDs

[Rick Quatro]

Hi Steve,

No apologies necessary: that is what the list is for. Well, it's actually 
for complaints, gripes, etc., but FrameMaker questions are acceptable once 
in awhile.

The best method depends on how different the structure is from one EDD to 
another. Here are some possible methods.

1) Import the new Element Definitions and then clean up the structure by 
hand. This could be fairly tedious if a lot of clean up is required. You 
could use FrameScript scripts to assist you with the clean up, and perhaps 
automate the whole process.

2) Save the document as XML and then use XSLT stylesheets to convert the XML 
so that it conforms to the new structure. Import the converted XML back into 
FrameMaker using the new EDD. If your structure is XML and you have a lot of 
documents, this may be the best approach. FrameMaker 7.2 for Windows (sorry) 
allows you to apply XSLT transformations on import or export, adding some 
automation to the process. Of course, you still have to write the 
appropriate XSLT stylesheets.

3) If your EDD uses paragraph and character formats to define formatting, 
you could try removing the structure from (a copy of) the document. Then you 
could use a Conversion Table to restructure the document according to the 
new EDD. This may be a good approach because it would not require any tools 
outside of FrameMaker.

Rick Quatro
Carmen Publishing
585-659-8267
www.frameexpert.com


> Group: my apologies for hitting the list so hard just recently. I'm under 
> pressure to complete some work before the holiday break and it's taking me 
> into unknown territory.
>
> I know that FrameMaker supports conversion rules tables for converting 
> unstructured documents into structured. But what about the process of 
> migrating from one EDD to another? I can't find anything about this in any 
> written documentation I have. Specifically:
>
> . Is there a 'best practise' method?
>
> . Are there any pitfalls to watch out for?
>
> . What is involved other than importing a new set of structured 
> definitions and then manually tidying up?
>
> . Are there any third-party tools that can help with the conversion 
> process?
>
> Many thanks
> -- 
> Steve
> _______________________________________________