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Explanation of the Major Steps in Developing a Document in FrameMaker - Succeed in Using FrameMaker. Also refer to Adobe, specification, format, template, default, content, edit, publish, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Major Steps in Developing a Document in FrameMaker
by Ron Kurtus (16 November 2006)
There are three major steps in developing a document in Adobe FrameMaker. First, you need to define the specification for the document. Next you create a new document and format its template. And finally, you enter your content into the document, edit the material and prepare it for publication.
Questions you may have include:
- Why do you need to define the specification?
- What is formatting?
- What is needed to publish the document?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Define specification
You need to define what type of document you are producing, what the page layout looks like and what are your paragraph, table and text characteristics. For example, you would define:
- One-sided report or double-sided book?
- Page size, margins and number of columns
- Font type and size for body and heading text
Books
Books typically consist of several types of documents:
- Front section, including title page and copyright page
- Table of contents
- Chapters
- Index
Each has its own specifications.
Specification important
Specification definition is very important to avoid having to make changes in formatting down the road.
Format new document
After the document specification has been defined, you create a new document and apply the specification values to the document template. You can either format a new blank document or use an existing document as a template.
In some situations, the FrameMaker default settings are sufficient.
Enter content and publish
Having defined the document specification and properly formatted your document, you can then concentrate on the writing aspects of the document. You enter your content, edit the content to make necessary corrections or changes, and prepare the documents for publication.
Summary
The major steps in developing a document in FrameMaker are to define the specification for the document, create a new document and format its template, and enter your content into the document and prepare it for publication.
Plan to do your best
Resources
Items of interest on this topic:
Websites
Books
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. Why should you define your document specifications?
2. What is an easy way to format a document in FrameMaker?
3. What is the role of editing in getting the document completed?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in using FrameMaker. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Where can you go from here?
Major Steps in Developing a Document in FrameMaker