Mekon sponsors the FrameMaker community FrameUsers.info. Please click here for more information

Originally developed in response to a client’s database publishing requirements, Frame Active Control (FrameAC) is a FrameMaker plugin that extends elements of the FrameMaker application programming interface (API) to automation controllers such as Visual Basic.

FrameAC provides the means for developers to enhance the functionality of FrameMaker via programs in Visual Basic (VB) and scripts in VBScript and Javascript. It enables developers to use VB for database connectivity and dialogue creation to control FrameMaker products. With VB you have easy access to COM and ActiveX technologies.

FrameAC is used by Mekon to enhance and improve productivity on projects it undertakes.

Who should use FrameAC?

FrameAC has primarily been developed for programmers with experience of Visual Basic to develop macros for FrameMaker, or to implement more complex publishing systems and extensions to FrameMaker.

FrameAC can also be used with any programming tool that supports COM.

What can FrameAC do?

FrameAC can be used to implement almost anything a FrameMaker user can do.

FrameAC includes a scripting environment that you can use to create scripts that manipulate FrameMaker objects and documents. You can use these scripts to automate a wide range of tasks you perform manually. You can also use the Event Editor to run scripts when triggered by FrameMaker events or keyboard commands. Scripts can be written using VBScript or Javascript.

You can use FrameAC to develop three types of application:-

• ActiveX plug-ins
  
• Controller applications
  
• Runtime scripts

The following are examples of the type of application that can be developed using FrameAC:

Database publishing

In conjunction with FrameMaker, FrameAC is an ideal means of publishing information contained in a database. For example, it can be used to extract information and publish the results in FrameMaker documents. Examples include directories, time-tables and product catalogues.

Database connectivity

FrameAC allows live interaction with a database for maintaining critical data in documents such as prices in catalogues or translation phrases in multi-language documents.

Automatic conversion from print to online documents

FrameAC can automatically convert a print document to an online document.

Often referred to as single source publishing, it enables the document to be maintained in its printable form but contain hidden information so that it can be reformatted with different graphics and page orientaion etc. with a single press of a button.

Mekon Plug-ins

FrameAC is designed to work in partnership with mTools, a product that offers a range of features allowing added FrameMaker functionality to both beginner and advanced users of the application. These features facilitate the creation, editing and printing of FrameMaker documents.

Please click here for information on how to get a free evaluation version of this product.

  Back to top