DITAworks Modeling
Complex DITA Specialization made easy with DITAworks
DITAworks provides extensive modeling features to allow the definition of project-specific, DITA-based documentation models (DITA specializations). The solution is not limited to design of base DITA information models, but also contains a set of extended modeling features that enable adaptation of DITA models to individual needs. This effectively turns the modeling module of DITAworks into visual DITA specialization tool.
The modeling components of DITAworks are divided into 2 packages:
- DITA Visual Specialization Manager. Enables management of DITA Specializations.
- Extended DITA Modeling Module. Enables configuration of DITAworks authoring and editorial tooling based on models defined in DITA Visual Specialization Manager.
DITA Visual Specialization Manager
Visual editors of Specialization Manager module help you to solve the complex tasks of DITA information modeling using a wizard-like approach. This module supports import of DITA specializations as well as export of managed specializations into DTD and XML Schema, thus allowing single sourcing for specializations (read more about this in our blog).
Specialization Manager manages your DITA model in the form recommended by DITA Specification, splitting it into structural modules, modules and infotypes (shell DTDs). Additionally to that, Specialization Manager provides an “integrated” view of elements of managed infotype where all elements are presented in one common tree and from there, the Information Architect can see the structure of the resulting XML. Visual editor also has a possibility to display differences of current specialization level from the previous one (showing all added, changed or removed elements etc.)
Overview of Visual DITA Specialization Manager features:
- Wizard-based Visual Editor for DITA specializations with support of structural, domain and attribute specializations (Infotype, Module, Domain)
- Import of existing specializations from DTD.
- DITA model validation. DITA models have to obey to certain rules defined in DITA Architecture. Specialization manager validates imported and managed models to according to these rules and reports errors.
- Export of managed specializations to DTD or XML Schema. Models are stored in DITAworks in form optimized for modeling. At any time the model can be exported to DTD or XML Schema form. In this way changed done on the model are automatically appearing in DTD and XML Schema without extra effort.
- Export of Specializations in form of DITA OT plug-in (beta). At any time the managed model can be exported as DITA Open Toolkit plug-in using convenient wizard.
- Integration with version control. You can manage your models in version control and track changes in collaborative environments.
You can also check out the demo and video tutorials on working with DITA Visual Specialization Manager here.
DITA Visual Specialization Manager is available as a part of DITAworks Professional Edition and as a standalone application.
As a standalone application, it is available under 2 licenses: (a) commercial license; and (b) license for non-commercial use for publicly available specializations and evaluation for commercial use.
The license for non-commercial use for publicly available specializations allows usage of Specialization Manager free-of-charge for non-commercial use in development and maintenance of publicly available open models/specializations. This license also allows 60 days evaluation for commercial use.(For more clarification of the terms of this license, please read the license carefully).
For commercial licenses, please write to us at contact@instinctools.com.
Extended Modeling features
On the editorial side, DITAworks provides a set of tools that adapt to the underlying DITA Model. The native DITA architecture enables DITAworks to "understand" the specialization and as a consequence, it enables the functional adjustment of DITAworks to your documentation model. This results in a high degree of customized, individual documentation work and makes optimal use of the potential offered by the DITA standard.
Extended Modeling features provides a set of tools for configuring DITAworks components to specifics of your model to enable seamless transition from modeling to authoring and publishing environments.
Main features provided by this module include:
- Define Templates for DITA Maps and Topics
- Define WYSIWYG templates for Visual Topic Editor
- Define presentation and behavior rules that Visual Map editor will use when displaying elements of your model
- Define custom validation rules for your model
- Define new transformation types
- Define preview templates
- Etc.