FrameMaker vs. InDesign CS3

Thu Jan 24 11:22:11 PST 2008

Other important arguments in favour of FrameMaker for technical 
documentation are also:

    * Tables (especially with the TableCleaner plug-in)
    * Integration of DITA to support structured xml authoring (even
      better with the DITA-FMx plug-in)
    * Integration with ePublisher Pro and the DITA Open Toolkit to
      generate a wide variety of output targets: PDF (using FO and
      RenderX), HTMLHelp, XHTML, Eclipse Help, AIR Help, ...

Yves Barbion 
Documentation Architect
Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor
____________________________________

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Matt Sullivan wrote:
> Hi Lise,
>
> As I sit converting 4 FM templates to InDesign templates for a client...
>
> You're pretty close to the mark with your analysis.
>
> I tell my clients:
> -Frame has more robust referencing
> -Frame has more robust numbering
>
> But at the same time, ID CS3's numbering and referencing is greatly improved
> from earlier versions. ID also allows for Para and Character Styles that use
> base Para Styles, and for Master Pages that use base Master Pages.
>
> I've got a separate client happily doing this same conversion, but both
> clients do not have extreme XREF issues, nor do they have extremely complex
> numbering schemes. The nested styles and the improved Header/Footer
> functionality have been pleasant surprises for them.
>
> Bottom line: For documents requiring a great deal of customization and
> layout, I recommend InDesign. For long doc's requiring standardization,
> complex numbering, and complex referencing, use FrameMaker.
>
> Of course, given Frame's improved integration with RoboHelp and Captivate,
> these are also potential factors.
>
>  
>
> -Matt Sullivan
>
>  
>
> GRAFIX Training, Inc.
>
> An Adobe Authorized Training Center
>
> www.grafixtraining.com
>
> 888 882-2819 
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com
> [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Lise Bible
> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:34 AM
> To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
> Subject: FrameMaker vs. InDesign CS3
>
> I currently create manuals in FrameMaker for the products that are
> manufactured at this location. Deliverable is pdf and printed matter.
>
> I've been using unstructured FrameMaker 7.1 on Win XP and the marketing
> department has been using InDesign CS2 on Win XP. They're planning to
> upgrade to CS3.
>
> I've been asked by the Marketing Manager to investigate whether InDesign CS3
> would meet my needs as a replacement for FrameMaker for product manuals so
> we could all be on the same platform. I think if I made the case that there
> would be serious functionality lost, he wouldn't have a big problem with me
> staying with Frame, but I think he's leaning toward standardizing on ID
> unless I can make the case otherwise.
>
> Things of concern to me that I can do in Frame but not sure about ID:
> cross-references, conditional text, auto-numbering.
> Conditional text isn't a deal-killer for me; I've used it in a few manuals,
> but it's not something I couldn't do without if it wasn't available.
> Cross-references (see figure x on page x, see heading on page x) are
> currently used extensively. Wouldn't want to do without those.
> Auto numbering (esp. of figures (x+1): currently used extensively. Wouldn't
> want to do without that either.
>
> I've done some google searching and the closest I've come to a comparison is
> this, but it's a little dated (and refers to OSX)
> http://www.fm4osx.org/comp.html
>
> There was a discussion of this a while back (last Feb, I think) here on the
> frameusers forum, but I don't think it covered any new features that may
> have been included in ID CS3 as opposed to CS2.
>
> The version comparison chart on the Adobe site
> (there's a link to a pdf here:
> http://www.adobe.com/products/indesign/upgrade/)
> lists automated bullets and numbering, but I don't know if that will
> accommodate what I currently accomplish in Frame with a "Figure" paragraph
> format for the figure label which inserts the next consecutive figure number
> automatically.
>
> Has anyone used InDesign CS3 and can give me any insights?
> If not available in ID, are there 3rd-party plug-ins for ID that would
> accomplish any of these with some kind of elegance and ease?
>
> Thanks,
> Lise Bible
> _______________________________________________
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