MadCap Flare
True XML-Based Single-Source Content Authoring for Multi-Channel Publishing
MadCap Flare™ V6 is a powerful, XML-based professional content authoring and publishing software application that allows technical writers and documentation specialists to create and manage content for multiple channel publishing. Whether you are creating projects for complex digital print publishing, desktop publishing, Help systems, or web-based online publishing, MadCap Flare provides a complete set of professional help authoring and content development tools.
Publish to PDF, XPS, Word™, FrameMaker®, DITA, XHTML with Integrated Navigation (cross-browser, cross-platform), Microsoft® HTML Help, Mobile platforms (iPhone OS, Windows Mobile, Android, BlackBerry), or DotNet Help using MadCap Flare.
View MadCap's Knowledge Base using your phone's web browser at: http://kb.madcapsoftware.com/mobile
Use MadCap Flare to Create:
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Video: WebHelp Mobile
Video: When Tools Talk To One Another
Video: How Shall I Single Source
Screen Shot: Features
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Mobile Output
How It Works
- Add content — Import legacy content from Word™, FrameMaker® or DITA, leverage existing HTML or XHTML pages, or import content from older authoring tools. Or you can create all new content using the world class editor built into Flare, or use a combination of content import and content creation as needed.
- Define the look of the content — Edit style sheets, create page layouts, add snippets, variables, conditional text, and more, as needed.
- Define the publishing rules — For each document you need to deliver (online, desktop, or print) you create a Publishing Target. This target contains all of the rules and attributes that make this one document unique and is the key to single-sourcing and multi-channel publishing with Flare. Create as many targets as you need for the project.
- Create the target — Output to PDF, XPS, Word™, FrameMaker®, DITA, XHTML (cross-browser, cross-platform), Microsoft® HTML Help, or DotNet Help. Specify the TOC for each target and, optionally, the location of the target when it's built. Flare even includes a command line interface so the creation and publishing of your defined targets can be automated, scripted, or even controlled remotely.
NEW in MadCap Flare V6
Output Target for Mobile
Flare’s mobile output supports multiple platforms, including the iPhone, Windows Mobile, Android, Palm Web OS, and BlackBerry. The new mobile output has been created to optimize both the use of a small screen and potential performance issues as a result of low bandwidth connections. Also included is a generic mobile simulator so authors can test on PCs if a physical mobile test device is not present.
Project Management
File Tagging
The new customizable File Tagging feature allows users to assign files to a specific author and create a status tag to each file (such as in progress, ready for review, approved, etc.), or it allows you to create your own set of status messages that fit your organizations work flow. Finally, custom meta-data that fits your workflow.
Reporting Engine
Used in conjunction with File Tagging, the reporting engine improves project management by giving users the ability to pull a report that shows all topics assigned to a particular author (i.e. Bob) or pull a report by author based on status (i.e. all files “in progress” by Bob).
New PDF Processor
The new PDF processor has improved Asian character support, reduced PDF file sizes upon export, and an enhanced process for creating and saving project templates.
Multiple HTML File Import and Conversion
In previous versions of Flare, you could convert HTML files to XHTML topics. However, you could only convert one HTML file at a time. Now you can save time and import multiple HTML files into your project for automated XHTML conversion.
Improved Multimedia Support
In addition to Flash (.swf file format), Flare now supports animations/video for the following Windows and QuickTime file formats.
Windows Media files:
.asf, .asx, .au, .avi, .mid, .midi, .mp3, .mp4, .mpa, .mpe, .mpeg, .mpg, .wav, .wax, .wm, .wma, .wmv, .wmx
QuickTime files:
.mov, .qt
Batch Generate
Build multiple output targets and save your “batch” settings for future projects using Batch Generate. Enjoy built-in integration between the Flare Batch Generate and the Task Scheduler in Windows so you can schedule a build (or a batch build) without launching the Flare interface.
Link Viewer
Maintain the integrity of projects with Link Viewer to ensure edits to a particular topic do not have a negative impact on your project deliverables. The Link Viewer data pod shows 1) all files linking to a topic, 2) all files linking from a topic, and 3) all current targets using this topic.
RoboHelp® 8 Import
Quickly and easily import your RoboHelp 8 projects into Flare. All project content is converted - including user-defined variables, conditional build tags, and other project content.
For a complete list of new features, download:
MadCap Flare V6 What's New Guide >
