Re: Framer Graphics to bitmap

[Dan Emory <danemory@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dick Phillips Wrote:
> Does anyone know of a way of converting an item of Frame native graphics
> to a bitmap (preferably windows BMP).
=================================================
One of the neat things about having FM+SGML is that it will convert any
graphic format (including frame native graphics) to any other format for
which an export filter is available. You'll get the best results, however,
by converting native graphics to a format that supports vector graphics
(e.g., CGM).

All you have to do is create a very simple Element Definition Document (EDD)
whose purpose is graphic conversion. In the EDD, you specify a different
graphic element name for each export format (e.g., elements named EXPtoCGM,
EXPtoBMP, EXPtoTIFF, EXPtoEPSI, etc., and import the element catalog from
that EDD into a structured template. Next, you set up a named SGML export
application definition whose read/write rules specify the export format to
be used for each graphic element.

Once those steps are done, you open the structured template, and insert the
graphic element that will produce the desired export format. If the graphic
exists as an external file, you import it by reference into the element's
anchored frame. If the graphic is a native FrameMaker graphic or a graphic
that was imported by copy in an unstructured FrameMaker document, you copy
the graphic to the clipboard, and paste it into the element's resixeable
empty anchored frame. Finally, you save the contents of the structured
template to SGML. FM+SGML will produce an SGML document instance (which you
throw away), and will also export the graphic as a separate file having a
filename extension (e.g., .BMP) that identifies the graphic format. Finally,
you rename the graphic file, and move it into the directory where you need it.

You can then import the graphic file into any unstructured FrameMaker
document by reference or by copy, and examine it to see if the results are
satisfactory. If the graphic quality is unsatisfactory, you can simply go
back to the structured template, change the name of the graphic element
containing the original file to specify another export format, and try
again. Regardless of which graphic format you ultimately choose, the graphic
is guaranteed to import successfully into any FrameMaker document.

This FM+SGML feature alone can justify the added cost of purchasing an
FM+SGML license, even if you don't produce structured documents.

I have a complete FM+SGML graphic conversion application that performs as
described above. I'm willing to send it as a MIME-encoded PKZIP file to
anyone who's interested (obviously, you must have FM+SGML before you can use
it).     
     ====================
     | Nullius in Verba |
     ====================
Dan Emory, Dan Emory & Associates
FrameMaker/FrameMaker+SGML Document Design & Database Publishing
Voice/Fax: 949-722-8971 E-Mail: danemory@primenet.com
10044 Adams Ave. #208, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
---Subscribe to the "Free Framers" list by sending a message to
   majordomo@omsys.com with "subscribe framers" (no quotes) in the body.


** To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@omsys.com **
** with "unsubscribe framers" (no quotes) in the body.   **