Conclusion
In summary, we group tools according to solution type and rank them on a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 is the most favorable score.
|
Tool |
Page layout sophistication |
Automation* |
Cost** |
|
The DITA OT with the open-source XSL-FO processor FOP |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
The DITA OT with a commercial XSL-FO processor (XSL Formatter and XEP) |
3 |
1 |
5 |
|
XML authoring tools (XMetaL Author, oXygen, and DITA Studio) |
5 |
1 |
3 |
|
Conversion tools (ePublisher) |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
Help authoring tools (Flare and RoboHelp) |
6 |
1 |
3 |
|
Page layout software (InDesign and FrameMaker) |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
XML publishing tools (XML Professional Publisher and Arbortext Publishing Engine) |
2 |
1 |
6 |
* Automation is based on command-line operations. Transformations can be run from the command line in all programs but InDesign and FrameMaker, the latter of which requires a plug-in such as FrameScript to provide this functionality.
** Actual cost is based on the time devoted to customizing the FO. This ranking takes into consideration minimal customizations.
Based on the information summarized in the table, evaluate the following factors before selecting your DITA-to-PDF file process:
- If automated production is most important, consider the DITA OT and an XSL-FO processor. You can use a free processor, FOP, but FOP isn’t as robust as other processors.
- If you want to author DITA and produce PDF files through an interface, consider an XML authoring program, such as XMetaL, oXygen, or DITA Studio; however, these programs don’t allow for the sophisticated typography and page layout made possible in page layout programs such as FrameMaker and InDesign.
- To simplify the formatting process, consider a help authoring tool (such as Flare or RoboHelp) that lets you format PDF file output with CSS styles. Realize that these tools don’t provide as much fine control over page layout as FrameMaker, InDesign, XPP, and Arbortext Publishing Engine.
- If hand-tweaking the formatting is top priority, consider a page layout program such as InDesign or FrameMaker; however, you’ll need to run import scripts (in InDesign) or purchase the add-on DITA-FMx for FrameMaker for increased DITA functionality.
In the end, you might choose a combination of methods. For example, you could combine an XML authoring tool (for writing) and XPP or Arbortext Publishing Engine (for complex formatting options and conversion through an interface). You should carefully weigh the alternatives and trade-offs.