I will be evaluating content development tools to decide on one going forward at my (new) company. Flare bounced up my list when I discovered last night that it has output to FrameMaker source files. But I have a couple of questions/concerns.
What version of FrameMaker are the .FM files produced by the current version of Flare, and has anyone found any issues with these output files, such as when editing or when building?
The Flare 2018 requirements page (http://kb.madcapsoftware.com/Content/Fl ... d=IAR1025F, difficult to find) says that FrameMaker is required for input. But nothing is said for output. So two puzzles: Why is (an expensive additional tool) needed for input, and is it required also for output? (I mean, the purchase of a full version license of Adobe Acrobat isn't required for PDF output, nor, I'd guess, as I don't see it listed, a Microsoft Office license for Word or Excel input. So what's the deal--and I mean, the real, technical reasons?)
I have one current use case where a partner wants FrameMaker source files. I don't know if that will be a requirement going forward or if it's a one-shot, but for now, FrameMaker source files are in the mix for one output I need as I evaluate tools. Otherwise, content is going to be published online, some connected directly to web apps, some published as Zendesk articles, and quite possibly (hopefully!) some used as the foundation for training and for video scripts.
Output to FrameMaker: quality & requirements
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chuck_agari
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SteveS
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Re: Output to FrameMaker: quality & requirements
Welcome to the forums 
As you are evaluating Flare (among others I presume) I would suggest you direct your question(s) at Madcap. They will be pleased to answer all your queries and it will give you a firm basis on which to select the ideal product for your situation.
If something goes awry a few months in, and you are asked where you got your information, "some guy on the Madcap forums..." is going to sound a little thin!
One must assume if you have framemaker files you still have the program or app, so I'd be installing the trial version of Flare on a machine with framemaker to test the import process. Are you intending to have framemaker output as well?
As you are evaluating Flare (among others I presume) I would suggest you direct your question(s) at Madcap. They will be pleased to answer all your queries and it will give you a firm basis on which to select the ideal product for your situation.
If something goes awry a few months in, and you are asked where you got your information, "some guy on the Madcap forums..." is going to sound a little thin!
One must assume if you have framemaker files you still have the program or app, so I'd be installing the trial version of Flare on a machine with framemaker to test the import process. Are you intending to have framemaker output as well?
Steve
Life's too short for bad coffee, bad chocolate, and bad red wine.