MadCap Software Forums

Hi Dave:

A different approach...

Okay, so I decided not to go with the EMF images because they do not appear in my PDF output file.

I'm resorting to the .BMP (24-bit bitmap) images, but with a different approach that yields a slightly better resolution in both HTML and PDF output files ...

Hi Dave:

By bitmap, I mean the .bmp file extention using 24-bit bitmap quality. So, the images were very high quality to start off, but then I stated resizing them before inserting them as reduced bitmaps (still .bmp) in the Help topics.

Okay, more feedback from yesterdays test...

The HTML output ...

Hi Dave:

Our brainstorming here is good and I think we have some positive results to report regarding the HTML output file, the PDF output file is still generating (takes 45 mins), so I do not have the results for that yet.

My test graphics are WMF and EMF, which were imported into the topic, one ...

Hi Dave:

Thanks for clarifying this. The WMF image in the Help system before I compile looks okay. However, when I generate the HTML file, the image comes through blurry with low rez. I selected to convert to PNG (web-safe option) and the image quality improved, but not what I would call adequate ...

Hi Dave:

I will try this and report back tomorrow.

My Generate resized copies of scaled images option (on Advanced tab) is already selected, so I will leave that as is.

BTW, when you initially import the WMF file into your Help topic, is the image distorted (low rez)? However, when you generate ...

Hi folks:

Thanks for all your replies. It looks like some of us are stuggling to find better image resolution in our output files. I do not have Capture as part of my software, but given what is said above, Capture does not seem to produce a better quality result for some. Also, I don't think it ...

Hi folks:

Here is what I am doing...

1. I grab a 24-bit bmp of the screen I need for the Help system (using either Prt Scn/Paint or SnagIt).
2. I reduce the image to 65 percent of its original size (manditory because the image is very large).
3. I insert the image into the Help topic.
4. I build ...

Thank you, Lisa!

Cheers,
Peter

Hi folks:

All of my topics now seem to open in HTML code view. I see all the html tags and body text and no images, and so on.

I was performing a search using the Find tool and all my searches defaulted to the HTML code view and not the regular editing view that I work in. I tried toggling from ...

Thanks everybody for your help. Some great ideas here and my problem is now resolved.

Cheers,
Peter

Thanks Andrew. Much appreciated.

I will give this a try tomorrow and post here if I have further difficulties.

Cheers,
Peter

Hi folks:

When I generate the PDF output file from my MadCap Help system, everything comes out nicely except some of the figures extend past the right margine of the PDF page. I looked at the MadCap PDF page settings under Advanced and there does not seem to be an option to control the image size ...

Hi Andrea:

Those instructions are wonderful. You're a pal!

Many thanks.

Cheers,
Peter

Hi Folks:

I have chosen to embedd the toolbar in each topic of my HTML target. It is a wonderful feature; however, The MadCap logo appears at the end of the tool bar. Can this be removed or replace with another logo, such at the company for which the Help system is built?

Refer to the attached ...

Hey everybody:

Thanks for all your replies. I will look into unquarantining the file as well as downloading the trial version to get the dlls. An employee previous to me downloaded the original source software and I do not have access to his emails to find the original link.

This peer group Rocks ...

Hi Rick:

Thanks for your feedback. I opened the sample Help project with the same error result. So, I guess I need to reinstall my DLLs. I originally downloaded my v4.2 MadCap Help software from the Web site so I don't have the DVDs. So ... what is the best way to obtain these DLL drivers? Is there ...

So, we are following your recommendation by zipping the Help system and uploading that file to Clear Case on a rugular schedule.

Many thanks for your help!

Cheers,
Peter

Thanks for the reply. :-)

My targets are CHM, .NET and PDF.

My source files are on my local drive. However, I ran a new software package called Sophos last week and I noticed that it has quarantined the DihyphEngine.DLL as a suspicious file. Humph! Can DLLs get infected? Or, did Sophos just think ...

Hi folks:

I opened my Help System today and received the attached Unhandled Exception Error. Has anybody received this error before? What can I do to resolve this issue?

Many thanks.

Cheers,
Peter

Hi Matt:

This is great feedback. Thank you very much for all your efforts and detailed answers. I have passed on your post to the Developers and Quality Assurance teams to assess. Based on your answers to my questions, it looks like my concerns regarding bringing the Help system into Clear Case ...

Hi folks:

I need to put my MadCap Help system source files into Clear Case and I have a few questions before I begin.

1) What is the best way to do this given that I work daily with the source Help files?
2) Has anybody had any bad experiences working with their Help system when the source is ...

Thanks Lisa.

I will look into this. I was hoping for an easier solution as my Help system is huge and already uses Flare's built in numbered list quite extensively in every single topic. It would be a lot of work to change them...

Regarding your tag line... Nice! ;-) I don't know about eagles ...

Hi folks :

I am building numbered lists that explain how to use the software features in my application. However, there are times when I have a Step that requires the user to do one of two things. For example:

1. Type or scan the ID into the ID field. If the item already exists in the Item list ...

Okay. I'll try that. Thank you.

Cheers,
Peter

Hi folks:

How do I change the name of my Help System from MadCap Flare V4.2 to the actual name of my project? Currently, when I build the .Net Help, the output file has MadCap at the top of the window and I want it to say my project name instead.

Many thanks!

Cheers,
Peter