PPT output

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pdambrosio
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PPT output

Post by pdambrosio »

Hi! We are single sourcing and outputting to WebHelp, PDF, Training and now to PowerPoint (PPT).
I found a PDF > PPT program that works well, but we would like to find a more editable version of PPT output.
Is it possible to output Flare Docs into XML? And then to PowerPoint?

BTW: We are v happy w/this single sourcing and the output results.

Thanks!
LTinker68
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Re: New Single-sourcing discussion

Post by LTinker68 »

pdambrosio wrote:Is it possible to output Flare Docs into XML? And then to PowerPoint?
I was going to suggest trying XPS output, but I just looked in PowerPoint and .xps isn't a supported file type for opening. However, it can open Word files, and Flare can output to Word.
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Lisa
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pdambrosio
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Re: New Single-sourcing discussion

Post by pdambrosio »

Here is an update:
We have successfully created templates to single source for online, PDF, training, and are now working to also output to PowerPoint for the purposes of creating slides for training presentations.
I experimented w/a freeware option that pasted each PDF page as a single image to a PowerPoint slide. However, this option doesn't allow us to make edits on the pasted test as quickly and easily as we hoped.
I then tried Adobe Acrobat XI and while this produces editable contents, the tables and bullets are not formatted correctly in all cases. For this reason, we would end up w/even more hand editing. (Also H2 and H3 autonumbering formats were lost--a bit odd...)
Has anyone experimented w/another option, or do you have any idea why the PDF output from Flare might be incorrectly rendering via Adobe Acrobat?
One option would be to create a new stylesheet by copying the old stylesheet but changing, e.g., the bullets....
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
kelly_hochanadel
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Re: New Single-sourcing discussion

Post by kelly_hochanadel »

Flare will output to the old Word format (.doc) and my version of Power Point (13) says it cannot open doc files.

Interestingly enough, you can SAVE a powerpoint presentation as an XPS but it still will not open one.
kelly_hochanadel
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Re: New Single-sourcing discussion

Post by kelly_hochanadel »

What is the name of the program you're using to convert PDF > PPT?
pdambrosio
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Re: PPT output

Post by pdambrosio »

Kelly,

apologies...rarely on and just saw this:
output to word > print as PDF > open in Adobe XI > save as PPT and apply your designs.
dorcutt
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Re: PPT output

Post by dorcutt »

PD,

Can I ask why you bother to export to Word as opposed to just creating PDF output directly from Flare? I feel like I'm missing something.
-Dan, Propellerhead-in-training
pdambrosio
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Re: PPT output

Post by pdambrosio »

Why first to Word is a good ?: I found that w/o this extra step I lost editability in the PPT output.
By using Word, everything but tables is fully editable by the trainer/mentor.
mattbnh
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Re: PPT output

Post by mattbnh »

Hi Pat:

Serious question, no snark intended.

I just read the case study that Madcap emailed about your implementation, and I would like to know how your group progressed from your comments here in November to the present.

We are beginning to single source training guides from our techdoc/help, but we do not have a solution that allows us to produce updated powerpoints to go along with the student guides, so your process is intriguing.

Your November comments indicated a bunch of post-processing was needed to shape up the Powerpoint slides.

Have you found shortcuts or formatting changes in your Flare stylesheets that correct this?

Thanks in advance
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