Topic Style Class: concept, task, reference, topic

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MarkMetcalfe
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Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:57 am
Location: Nashua, NH
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Topic Style Class: concept, task, reference, topic

Post by MarkMetcalfe »

[Flare 6.1.0]

I found the Topic Style Class field on the Properties of content files. I dutifully set each file's field to concept, task, or reference, and then looked around Flare to see where I might make use of my efforts. For example, I might expect that I can let the reader view all Task topics in one place.

Does anyone know how the Topic Style Class field is used? (I didn't find it in the online help.)

Steps:
1. In Content Explorer, right click on a file and choose Properties.
2. Select the Topic Properties tab.
3. Choose a Topic Style Class from the drop down menu.

Then what!?

Mark Metcalfe, Ektron Documentation Manager

P.S. When would I use the "Topic" designation?
Mark Metcalfe
Optimizely
542 Amherst St.
Nashua, NH 03063
mark.metcalfe@optimizely.com
Andrew
Propellus Maximus
Posts: 1237
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:37 am

Re: Topic Style Class: concept, task, reference, topic

Post by Andrew »

This is what I found in Flare's help on the field:
Style class You can select a topic style class (i.e., based on the <html> tag) to associate with any topic in your project. The properties for this style class will be applied to the entire topic. The following style classes are provided in the drop-down list: task, concept, reference, topic. These options are typically used if you are generating DITA output from the project. If you do not select any of these, the "topic" class is applied to the topic by default. If you want to use a custom style class instead, you can open the style sheet, select the html style, and create your own topic style class. In order for you to use this feature, the appropriate style sheet must be selected in the Stylesheet field in the Properties dialog (not enabled if you are using a master style sheet).
It seems like it was added for DITA, but you may be able to take advantage of it to apply an style class from the <html><html> element to the topic.Typically, the only thing you'd apply to the html element is a master page (mc-master-page). I don't know if any other elements inherit to children of the topic if you define them (e.g., typeface, borders, etc.).
Flare v6.1 | Capture 4.0.0
MarkMetcalfe
Propeller Head
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:57 am
Location: Nashua, NH
Contact:

Re: Topic Style Class: concept, task, reference, topic

Post by MarkMetcalfe »

Thanks for the quick response. It made me wonder why I hadn't found that in online help. So I went to the dialog box and looked for a help button or tag, then guessed at pressing F1 and the dialog box help appeared.

As for its use, I will do some ponderous pondering.
Mark Metcalfe
Optimizely
542 Amherst St.
Nashua, NH 03063
mark.metcalfe@optimizely.com
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