New Version of Adobe FrameMaker Extends Powerful XML Capabilities

[Peter Kacandes <pkacande@adobe.com>]

http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200312/120103FRAMEMA
KER.html


New Version of Adobe FrameMaker Extends Powerful XML Capabilities
Upgrade Includes New Migration, Import Features and Support for Popular
Graphics Formats to Capitalize on Existing Assets

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Dec. 1, 2003 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ: ADBE)
today announced Adobe® FrameMaker® 7.1, an upgrade to its award winning,
enterprise-class authoring and publishing solution. FrameMaker combines the
simplicity of word processing with the power of Extensible Markup Language
(XML), making it easier to repurpose content and publish to multiple
channels, including print, Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) and the Web.
FrameMaker 7.1 includes new features for cross-referencing between documents
and allows multiple variations of a document to be stored as a single file.
With FrameMaker 7.1 users can now migrate legacy technical documents and
assets from Quark XPress and Adobe PageMaker® formats, while expanded
support for popular graphics file formats means Adobe Photoshop® files can
be imported directly into FrameMaker, saving valuable time.
Making XML Easier to Use
FrameMaker gives corporate users the ability to easily create, edit and
import valid XML content in full WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) mode
when authoring documents. FrameMaker 7.1 introduces conditional text support
for XML to allow multiple variations of an XML document to be stored in a
single file. This greatly streamlines the production of documentation with
subtle content variations, such as region-specific information for different
electrical requirements or warranty and customer service details.
FrameMaker 7.1 extends its cross-referencing features to allow links between
XML documents. For example, a product installation guide in XML can now
reference and provide a direct link to a specific section in a user manual
that is also in XML format. Based on user feedback, an automatic save to XML
feature was added so that users don't have to remember to select a special
"save as" function when editing XML documents - a simple save or file close
will automatically save the document to the correct format.
"FrameMaker's support for open standards such as XML is testament to Adobe's
leadership in the technical information space," said Stefan Wess, chief
technical officer for empolis. "We've integrated FrameMaker with sigmalink,
our content lifecycle management system, to make it easy and quick for
structured content to be managed and re-used across multiple documents and
delivery platforms, such as user and training manuals both on the Web and in
paper format. This results in a rapid return on the investment in structured
information."
Additional Enhancements
New filters enable PageMaker and Quark XPress files to be easily migrated
into FrameMaker. Users with legacy files in these formats can now take
advantage of FrameMaker's superior long document handling and multi-channel
support to publish directly to print, Adobe PDF, HTML, XML and other
formats.
Corporate publishers can work more efficiently by importing Photoshop files
directly into FrameMaker 7.1, eliminating the need to save files to an
intermediate format. Other additions include support for the JPEG 2000
graphics format and improved filters for handling artwork in Adobe PDF,
including native files from Adobe Illustrator®. Expanded support for
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) means a single graphics file can be the
source for both high quality vector graphics in print and PDF as well as an
interactive, high quality vector graphic on the Web.
Pricing and Availability
Adobe FrameMaker 7.1 for Windows and Sun® Solaris™ will be available in
January 2004 in the United States, Europe and Canada at the Adobe store at
www.adobe.com. FrameMaker 7.1, desktop version, for Microsoft® Windows® has
an estimated street price of US$799 for the full version and $199 for the
upgrade. On Sun Solaris, the full version has an estimated street price of
$1,329 and $279 for the upgrade. For more detailed information about new
features and upgrade policies for Adobe FrameMaker, please visit:
www.adobe.com/products/framemaker.
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe helps people and businesses communicate better through its
world-leading digital imaging, design and document technology platforms for
consumers, creative professionals and enterprises. Adobe's revenue in the
last fiscal year exceeded $1 billion. For more information about Adobe,
visit www.adobe.com.
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