FrameMaker-to-Acrobat TimeSavers

enables you to include the definitions of Acrobat fields in FrameMaker through hypertext markers, so that they are automatically present in the PDF file (FrameMaker-to-Acrobat TimeSavers required during distilling): buttons, check boxes, menus, radio buttons, text fields and digital signatures, with complete control over field properties (including active field highlighting and field calculation order). Also included: an AutoPopUp function, which defines automatically-sized variable width/depth popups.

Feature demos (distilled with TimeSavers+Form Assistant)

"... To make fillable PDFs, we use a FrameMaker plug-in from Shlomo Perets (www.microtype.com) which allows us to define fields in the FrameMaker design file rather than the PDF it creates. This is no faster for the first iteration/proof of a form, but it saves huge amounts of time/cost as a form evolves and gets modified. ..." -- Mark Barratt, Text Matters, England [in "Five factors for choosing software" (PDF: 122K / 10 pages) by Caroline Jarrett]

enables you to embed or link (local or web-based files) multimedia files -- all formats supported by Acrobat/Reader -- in FrameMaker through hypertext markers, so that the defined features are automatically present in the PDF file.

Feature demos (distilled with TimeSavers+Multimedia Assistant)

Supported media formats: All formats supported by Acrobat/Reader
(including FLV, SWF, MPEG, AVI, QuickTime, WAV, AIFF, MP3, MP4, JPEG)

Embed or link to a web-based file (http://, https://, ftp://, rtmp://, rtmpt://, rtmpe://, YouTube, Screencast, Vimeo, CloudFront etc.)

Playback location in PDF: Floating Window (with control over size/position), In Document, Full Screen, Hidden (useful for sound-only).
Note: with software demonstrations/simulations, the In Document and Full Screen placements typically distort the display, as the variable magnification in Acrobat causes movie resizing. Displaying such movies at their native dimensions in a Floating Window is recommended -- see comparisons, SWF/QuickTime ("legacy", PDF: 990K), SWF/FLV (Acrobat/Reader 9 or higher, PDF: 687K; floating window position can be controlled, but is honored only when the PDF is displayed in Acrobat/Reader X or higher versions).

Control over media properties: All movie properties can be controlled by individual links, including title (floating window), movie size, rate, controller, repeat, starting/ending point, back and forth display.

Media-related interactivity: Bookmarks/links to media items, page actions; form fields (with Form Assistant); Play, Stop, Pause, Resume, Restart, Seek, Mute, Volume; show movie segments or jump to specific slides.

Media control: Pass variables to SWF via FlashVars parameters

Native viewing in Reader 9 or higher: SWF, FLV and MP3 can be embedded in the PDF (or web-linked) as native Rich Media Annotations, ensuring consistent playback across multiple platforms when displayed in Adobe Reader 9 or later (built-in player; does not rely on external viewers), and enhancing annotation-PDF communication.

enables you to embed U3D files and define related views/links/bookmarks/JavaScript through hypertext markers or referenced files, so that interactive 3D models, together with their specified features, are automatically present in the PDF file upon distilling.

Feature demos (distilled with TimeSavers+3D Assistant; Acrobat/Reader 7 or higher required)

FrameMaker 8.0 introduced the option of referencing or including U3D files, that are embedded in the PDF when the FrameMaker file is saved as PDF. Following is a comparison of FrameMaker 8/9/10 capabilities vs. 3D Assistant (with any FrameMaker version):

	*FrameMaker 8/9/10*	*Any FrameMaker version + TimeSavers + 3D Assistant*
Insertion in FrameMaker	File > Import > File	Through a hypertext marker
PDF creation	"Save as PDF" only	"Save as PDF" or by printing to a .PS file and distilling
Supported 3D formats	U3D-ECMA1	U3D-ECMA1; U3D-ECMA3 (features mesh compression; requires Acrobat/Reader 8 or higher)
Define background color, highlighting, render mode	Available	Available
Control 3D annotation	N/A	3D annotation can be active by default (when visible or when the page is opened)
Add 3D-related interactivity	N/A	Optionally add links/bookmarks to 3D models, 3D views, model/part properties
Control model tree	N/A	Model tree can be opened by default
Define 3D views	N/A	Optionally define views via a views file, specifying lighting, render mode, background color, zoom, field of view, node visibility, and cross-section views
Control 3D toolbar	N/A	Can show or suppress toolbar interactivity
Specify model-specific 3D JavaScript	N/A	Can include model-specific 3D JavaScript
Add 3D JavaScript-based interactivity	N/A	Includes built-in/customized 3D JavaScript links/bookmarks (which may also apply to 3D models inserted in FM8.0 through File > Import > File)
Control 3D animation	N/A	Can specify animation style, speed
Display 3D in a floating window	N/A	Can specify display in a floating window and its dimensions (requires Acrobat/Reader 9 or higher)

enables you to include the following features once in your FrameMaker files so that they are automatically present in Acrobat:

Chapter Tabs
Automatically-generated Chapter Tabs through a project-wide definition placed on master pages. Tab-like, rectangles or rounded rectangles; control over fill/line properties, optional expansion of current tab. [demo]

Chapter tabs can also be used to create dynamic document maps, automatically highlighting the currently-viewed PDF and linked to all other PDFs [demo]
Next/Previous File
Insert generic Next File or Previous File buttons in your template, and these will link automatically to the correct files, as defined in a centralized list of all files participating in your project. When the file location in the list is changed, the link sequence is automatically updated.
Chapter Title Bookmarks
Chapter title bookmarks are automatically generated in the correct order. When clicked, these bookmarks open the relevant files. The resulting list of bookmarks for each of the files in your project is similar, with the appropriate bookmarks open under the current chapter title; optional custom bookmark properties.
Super Next/Previous Page (cross-file)
Currently, Next/Previous Page buttons can only be defined within the current file, a grave limitation when you want the user to be able to browse through the entire book without being aware that it is composed of separate files.
The Super Next/Previous Page function can be designed to look exactly the same as typical Next/Previous buttons, but when pressed will take you seamlessly from the last page of a document to the next file in sequence, and vice versa, based on a listing of files participating in your project.
Drop-Down Menus
Easily add drop-down menus to common destinations or variable related topics in your PDFs, web-based files, quick searches, JavaScript functions (Acrobat/Reader 5.0 required). Optional menu titles (standard or custom), submenus, separators, standard starting and/or ending entries. [demo]
Next/Previous Topic buttons
Automatically inserts Next/Previous Topic buttons for designated headings. The selected headings are chain-linked throughout the PDF file, without necessitating a per-link coding or definition. When a topic is moved (or removed), the link sequence is automatically updated. You can also have a Home button leading back to the beginning of the file.