Publisher-to-Frame Conversion

[Pinkham, Jim]

I think the salient question, Howard, may be this: From where are the Publisher documents getting their content? After all, Publisher is a page-layout program, and, unlike Frame, isn't really designed for both writing text and laying it out in the same application. I know of few Publisher users who actually write their content from within Publisher.

Publisher works quite smoothly with Word, and chances are that the content of the Publisher files was written in Word or a similar application. If so, obtaining the Word files avoids some of the steps previously discussed. The art of preparing Word documents for Frame is, of course, a process in itself -- but a search of the archives will give you some good resources for how to approach it. 

Similarly, those graphic files others have mentioned as embedded in Publisher -- they had to come from somewhere. When I do a newsletter in Publisher, for instance, I import my graphics from a folder where I've already done my post-processing and stored the images.

Ideally, then, you'll be able to locate the original document(s) and graphics files. If so, then your task of bringing them into Frame is much more straightforward. Otherwise, you may have to turn to the plug-ins or copy-paste routines aforementioned. 

Don't be misled: No matter how you slice it, this is a time-consuming process.

It may be worth asking the client why this conversion is their intent. If it's part of a massive conversion to Frame and there are legacy documents that will be maintained in Frame going forward, it might make sense. But it's least worth admitting that, without good reason, the conversion may not be worth it. 

Then there's the question of playing to the strength of the tools. Frame is great for long documents; but there are situations where Publisher is a very viable solution. At the risk of rousing the sleeping MS bashers among us on this quiet Friday afternoon, I'll say that after more than a decade of doing newsletters, I'd much prefer to do a newsletter in Publisher than I would in Frame. (And, yes, I know there are newsletter templates for Frame, and it's possible to do decent-looking newsletters in Frame). If it were between Publisher and Indy or Quark, that would be a different matter.

Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Howard Rauch
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 11:35 AM
To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
Subject: Publisher to Frame Conversion

My client is intending to convert a number of publications from Publisher to Frame. She is thinking that the firm will have to cut in Publisher, paste into Frame, and reformat. Is there an easier way?
Howar Rauch
 
Technology Transfer, Inc.
"Linking Creators and Users of Technology"
933 North 18th Street
Manitowoc WI 54220
Office: 920-682-1528
Cell: 920-629-0080
_______________________________________________


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