Accessibility

Adobe FrameMaker

FAQ

Adobe FrameMaker 8 product information

Adobe FrameMaker Server 8 product information

Support information

 

Adobe FrameMaker 8 product information

What is Adobe FrameMaker 8?
Adobe® FrameMaker® 8 software is a flexible, easy-to-use, enterprise-class authoring and publishing solution for technical communicators. It combines word processing and XML-based structured authoring with template-based publishing to help you create polished technical documentation and books in multiple languages and formats.
What are the top new features in FrameMaker 8?
FrameMaker 8 improves the capabilities of FrameMaker 7.2 with the following new or enhanced features: support for Unicode and enhanced multilingual authoring, DITA, 3D workflows, and rich media (including Adobe Flash® Player compatible content created using Adobe Captivate™ software); enhanced conditional output; output generation based on attribute values; improved XML roundtripping; text edit tracking; and Microsoft® Windows Vista™ and Office 2007 support. To learn more, visit the FrameMaker features page.
What new features were introduced in FrameMaker 7.2?
FrameMaker 7.2 introduced the following new and enhanced features: an improved authoring interface (including multiple undo capability and an updated formatting toolbar); XML Schema language for specifying the structure of XML documents; XSL transformations (to automatically select, sort, or filter XML content upon opening or saving, or to automatically modify document structure based on an XSLT style sheet); and improved support for migrating unstructured content to structured authoring.
What new features were introduced in FrameMaker 7.1?
FrameMaker 7.1 introduced the following new and enhanced features: more intuitive XML handling; support for conditional text in XML documents; improved cross-referencing between XML documents; and new file import and graphics handling capabilities (including import support for Adobe PageMaker® 6.5 and 7 files, QuarkXPress 3.3 through 4.5 files, native Adobe Photoshop® and Illustrator® files, and PDF graphics).
Can I exchange content between FrameMaker 7.x (and earlier versions) and FrameMaker 8?
Yes. The FrameMaker 8 binary (FM) file format and Maker Interchange Format (MIF) are compatible with previous versions of FrameMaker. For details on how to exchange content between different versions of FrameMaker, visit the FrameMaker support page. Note that you may be required to save the binary file as a MIF file for earlier versions of FrameMaker. Also, in the process, you will lose support for advanced FrameMaker 8 features such as tracking text edit information and 3D objects (which may be converted to graphic objects). You can exchange FM files created with FrameMaker 7.x and FrameMaker 8 on any platform.
I have an earlier version of FrameMaker; can I upgrade?
Yes. If you have a license for an earlier version of FrameMaker or FrameMaker+SGML, you can receive upgrade pricing for FrameMaker 8.
Which Microsoft Office application files can I import into FrameMaker?
You can import Microsoft Word and Excel files created by Microsoft Office versions through Office 2007 (Windows® only). FrameMaker 8 also supports RTF 1.6 import and export, and you can save any Microsoft Office file as a PDF file to import into your FrameMaker publications as a graphic.
Can I integrate Adobe Captivate and other Flash Player compatible content into my FrameMaker documents?
Yes, FrameMaker 8 enables you to import simulations and other interactive content created in Adobe Captivate so you can create more engaging online documentation.
How does the new 3D support work in FrameMaker 8?
You can import a U3D object that was created from a CAD file using Adobe Acrobat® 3D or another product into FrameMaker 8. In FrameMaker, you can select the default view, lighting, rendering, and background color for the 3D object, or you can create a PDF file that includes the fully editable live 3D object.
In what languages can I author documents using FrameMaker 8?
FrameMaker 8 provides full authoring support for English (U.S. and International), Canadian French, French, German, and Swiss German.
FrameMaker 8 provides full authoring support without dictionary or hyphenation for Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
Dictionary and hyphenation support is available for the following languages:
Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Nynorsk, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.
How does FrameMaker 8 support the Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA)?
FrameMaker 8 comes with a prebuilt application that can be used for authoring topics and creating DITA maps. These maps organize topics for output to a specific deliverable. FrameMaker 8 includes a separate DITA menu, which makes it easy to use DITA-specific functions such as assigning conref, generating consolidated output, and more.
Which fonts are included in Adobe FrameMaker 8?
FrameMaker 8 includes the following OpenType® fonts for Western languages: Minion® Pro, Myriad® Pro, Adobe Garamond® Pro, Letter Gothic Standard, News Gothic Standard, and Courier Standard. For symbols, FrameMaker 8 includes Symbol Standard. For Chinese text, Adobe Fangsong Standard and Kaiti Standard are provided. Kozuka Gothic® and Kozuka Mincho® are provided for Japanese text.
Which font formats does FrameMaker 8 support?
FrameMaker 8 supports TrueType, OpenType, and Type 1 fonts.
Does FrameMaker 8 support right-to-left text?
No.
Where can I get Unicode fonts?
The bundled OpenType fonts use Unicode encoding. You can also get Unicode fonts from the online Adobe Store.
On what platforms is FrameMaker 8 available?
FrameMaker 8 is available for Windows and UNIX®; it runs on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista and Sun™ Solaris™ 8, 9, or 10.
Are there any differences between the Windows and UNIX versions of FrameMaker 8?
The UNIX version does not include support for 3D objects, SWF files, Microsoft Office 2007, and importing element formatting from CSS. OLE support is included in the Windows version. Import filters for QuarkXPress and PageMaker documents are provided only on the Windows platform.
Can I run FrameMaker 8 on Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 98/Millennium Edition?
FrameMaker 8 is not supported on Microsoft Windows NT® or Windows 98/Millennium Edition.
I have an earlier version of FrameMaker on one of the platforms not supported by FrameMaker 8. What are my options?
Users of previous versions of FrameMaker on any of the discontinued platforms may upgrade to the Windows or Solaris version for the standard upgrade price. The FrameMaker 8 binary format is compatible with FrameMaker 7.x on all platforms. You can exchange FM content created with FrameMaker 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, or 8 on any platform. However, when saving a FrameMaker 8 file as a FrameMaker 7.2 or 7.0 file, you will lose support for advanced FrameMaker 8 features such as change tracking information and 3D objects. For more details on how to exchange content between different versions of FrameMaker, visit the FrameMaker support pages.
FrameMaker 8 no longer includes WebWorks Publisher from Quadralay. Will I be able to move my WebWorks projects to FrameMaker 8?
No, you cannot move WebWorks® Publisher projects to FrameMaker 8. However, you can move them to WebWorks ePublisher Pro, available from Quadralay.
What is the difference between Adobe FrameMaker and InDesign?
Adobe FrameMaker 8 is a powerful authoring and publishing tool that is the standard for complex and text-intensive, long documents and technical publications and documentation. It is optimized for reliable, structured and template-driven content authoring and workflows, and provides superior book management and multichannel XML publishing capabilities.
Adobe InDesign CS3 is a professional page layout software solution that enhances creativity, streamlines repetitive tasks, and produces reliable output. Built for demanding workflows, InDesign provides the tools you need to produce design-intensive layouts with maximum efficiency.
Click here for more details

Adobe FrameMaker Server 8 product information

What is Adobe FrameMaker Server 8?
FrameMaker Server 8 is a print and PDF publishing engine that runs in a server-based or automated environment (with no user interface). FrameMaker Server software is designed for integration with a variety of data sources, including databases, application servers, and web services. A rich array of import options that includes XML and MIF is complemented by a powerful, comprehensive API known as the FrameMaker Developer Kit (FDK). Applications for FrameMaker Server include catalog publishing, database publishing, and the production of personalized documents and custom digital publications. For more information, see the FrameMaker Server web pages. Note that FrameMaker Server is a software component that must be integrated into a solution before it is ready for use. You can either purchase a third-party solution (for example, from Datazone or Finite Matters Ltd.) or build your own using the FDK.
What is the difference between FrameMaker 8 and FrameMaker Server 8?
Although both FrameMaker 8 and FrameMaker Server 8 software share the same technology and even the same installation CD, they differ in the permitted use for which they are licensed. Both FrameMaker 8 and FrameMaker Server 8 include a set of powerful, high-quality features for producing print and PDF output. FrameMaker 8, however, is designed to be used interactively by users on their desktops. It includes a fully interactive, WYSIWYG authoring environment, along with a range of publishing tools. FrameMaker Server 8, on the other hand, is designed to be used programmatically in a server-based or automated environment. FDK is the primary means for driving the application. FrameMaker Server software is specifically designed to provide server-based features for print and PDF output.
How do the End-User License Agreements (EULAs) for FrameMaker 8 and FrameMaker Server 8 differ?
FrameMaker Server 8 contains a license that specifically permits the use of FrameMaker on a server or in an automated environment. The EULA for FrameMaker 8 more tightly defines the license for use interactively on an individual user's desktop. For more details, review the complete EULAs for FrameMaker 8 and FrameMaker Server 8.
When should I purchase a license for FrameMaker Server 8 rather than FrameMaker 8?
For new installations where FrameMaker software will be used in a server-based or automated environment (for purposes such as automatic catalog publishing, database publishing, or automatically generating personalized documents or customized books or digital publications), you will probably need to purchase a license for FrameMaker Server 8. If you are already using FrameMaker Server 7.0, 7.1, or 7.2 and you would benefit from the new features of FrameMaker 8 in an automated environment, you can purchase a license to upgrade to FrameMaker Server 8.
I have a small workgroup and a small file server. If I license FrameMaker Server 8, can all the users in my workgroup use FrameMaker?
If FrameMaker 8 will be used interactively by those users, then you probably should not order FrameMaker Server 8. Each user in the workgroup must be licensed to use the desktop version. On Windows desktops, that means you must get one FrameMaker 8 license per user. If your users have Solaris desktops, you can either get one Personal license per user, or you can order a shared user license that allows a maximum specified number of concurrent users of the software.
Concurrent use licenses are not available for Windows desktops. If, however, you are building a server-based solution that your users access programmatically or through third-party software (such as a web browser) and you need to use FrameMaker in a noninteractive, automated way to produce print or PDF output, then you should license FrameMaker Server 8.

Support information

How do I create accessible PDF documents from FrameMaker 8?
To create accessible PDF documents, you can author your content in FrameMaker 8 and then generate a tagged PDF file, which can be displayed on a broad range of accessible viewing devices.
Is FrameMaker 8 section 508 compliant?
FrameMaker 8 software provides a high level of support for Section 508. For more information, visit the Adobe Accessibility Resource Center.
Where can I buy FrameMaker 8?
You can buy FrameMaker 8 through the online Adobe Store or by calling 888-724-4508. Learn about other ways to buy FrameMaker 8, including buying through authorized resellers or purchasing with education or government discounts, on the other ways to buy page.
Is volume licensing available, and where can I learn more about it?
Special programs are available for volume licensors of FrameMaker. To learn about volume licensing options, visit Adobe Open Options.
Is education licensing available, and where can I learn more about it?
Regular and volume education licensing programs are available. To learn more, visit the education pricing and volume licensing for educational institutions pages.

Next steps