Arbortext and APP for Developers - APPWorld 2011

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Arbortext and APP for Developers

Gareth Oakes, May 2011


Arbortext Product RangeLeveraging New PTC TechnologyFuture & trends

topics


about myself

Based in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Background: web developer, Unix admin, programmer, APP/Arbortext developer, pre-sales engineer, solutions architectPrevious companies: Griffith University, Advent3B2, Allette Systems, Arbortext, PTCCurrent role: Chief Architect at GPSL

GPSL has been working with the new Arbortext and APP technology on a number of large projects lately

Arbortext product range


Arbortext Publishing Engine (E3)Arbortext Styler (TurboStyler)Arbortext Editor (Epic)Arbortext Import/Export (Interchange)

Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher Desktop (3B2)Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher Enterprise (ACS)

product range


Arbortext Import/Export• Desktop GUI for development of import MapTemplates• Conversion of unstructured files to XML (import)

• MS Word doc/docx, RTF, PDF, Framemaker MIF, HTML, text files

• Publish (export) XML/SGML to RTF• Server version available inside Arbortext Publishing Engine• Based on CambridgeDocs xDoc technology

Arbortext products


Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher Desktop• APP Desktop (APP-D)• Still the same as 3B2 • Active development, lots of cool new features

Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher Enterprise• APP Enterprise (APP-E)• Still the same as ACS • No new features, but is still under maintenance• To be subsumed into Arbortext Publishing Engine?

APP products


Arbortext Editor• XML/SGML editor GUI• No publishing featuresArbortext Styler• Arbortext Editor plus extras:

• GUI for development of publishing stylesheets

• Publishing features: Web, HTML Help, PostScript/PDF

Arbortext Publishing Engine• Server based composition

Arbortext products

Now with

APP!*

* Arbortext 5.4 and later


About the embedded APP in Arbortext:• Ships as a DLL (lib3b2core.dll)• Has its own “app” folder in the Arbortext installation• Does not have an interactive interface

• Arbortext Styler (and PE Interactive) do have an APP preview window

• Theoretically works identically to APP Desktop• In practice your templates will need some tweaks to work within

an Arbortext environment

• Arbortext will allow APP to process either a 3F template or a Styler stylesheet

embedded APP


Overview of Arbortext Editor and StylerDemo of APP composition via Arbortext StylerDemo of APP Preview window in Arbortext Styler

demonstration

Leveraging new PTC technology


PTC’s vision for Arbortext is:“Dynamic Information Delivery Software”

What does this mean for publishers?• Integrated workflow for structured content• Authoring → Content Management → Publishing• Delivery via web, print, mobile, etc.

APP is now a core part of the Arbortext product range


There are now more software options available for APP…

Arbortext Publishing Engine• Existing capabilities: web services, Java APIs, web publishing,

print publishing, import/export (Word, PDF, RTF, MIF, etc.)• Now embeds an APP server versionArbortext Styler• Existing capabilities: XML/SGML editing GUI, desktop

publishing to web/print, fully scriptable• Now embeds an APP server version

what are the real benefits?


In addition to Editor, Styler, Publishing Engine and Import/Export, there are other useful PTC products that can be readily integrated into a workflow:• Arbortext Content Manager• Arbortext IsoDraw• Arbortext Digital Media Publisher• Arbortext Dynamic Link Manager• Windchill ProjectLink etc.

what are the real benefits?


1. Arbortext Editor as an XML/SGML authoring GUI that integrates with PE for preview/composition via APP

2. Arbortext Styler as an XML/SGML authoring tool that can also publish on the desktop via the embedded APP

3. Arbortext Publishing Engine for high throughput of APP publishing tasks, or to service composition/preview requests from a group of authors or reviewers

4. APP Desktop only required for manual updates to 3D files

four software ideas


Continued positive investment in publishing technology, particularly APP as it is the print engine of choiceFlexibility of software is being retainedGreat new APP features in support ofArbortext objectives:• Javascript/FOM*• Embedding PDF in APP documents (v11)• Printing EPS without Distiller• Block model• Context control stream• Strip space control stream• etc.

any other benefits?

* can be mixed with APP/Perl


PTC Javascript template exampleNew Javascript template concept, linked tag/style definitionsIdeas for Javascript IDE

demonstration

Future & trends


Two paths: embedded and interactiveEmbedded (Desktop and Server)• Publishing component of Arbortext• Interactive preview window, but not a fully fledged APP• Integrate tightly with Styler for GUI stylesheetsInteractive (Desktop)• IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for templates• Javascript for faster development, easier maintenance• Increasingly sophisticated toolbox for publishing• Simplified mechanism for deploying to an embedded solution

where is APP heading?


Products:• Deeper integration between Content Manager, Editor and PE• Tighter integration of APP, and improved stylesheet GUI• Improved “dynamic illustrations” support via IsoDraw and

Project Galaxy initiative for end-to-end 3D models• Wider range of “out of the box” solutions, eg. SMA• Enhanced DITA support• Windows platforms onlySolutions:• PTC focus on discrete manufacturing, defence and aerospace• Other (non-manufacturing) solutions via channel partners

where is Arbortext heading?

Thanks!


Simplified URL bookmark creation (no more tpmkset): <?"mk1",13,"","*http://www.ptc.com"> Can use \graphic in place of either \raster or \objectTable/Cell guides (no more <?tbcrules +(0.01,"red","br[tl]")>)Panning and zooming tools wzmx/wpanAbsolute maths units <?tptxabs=1>, no more “truemm”More advanced index controls, including on-the-fly indexesSuppress text via <?tignchar=1>…<?tignchar=0>Print EPS via direct PDF driver (without Acrobat Distiller)Strip space control stream to collapse XML whitespace

tips for v10