Re: Importing Graphics

["Thomas Michanek" <thomas.michanek@xxxxxxxxx>]

From: Wendy McCallum <wendym@ontario.com>

>Our technical communications department currently uses the Import file
>method to import our graphics. We keep a file of all the graphics. We are
>considering importing the graphics as a reference which makes them part of
>the document and eliminates the need to keep a graphic file. I would
>appreciate any comments, pro and cons on each of these methods.

You seem to have mixed up these two methods: Importing by copy makes images
part of the FM file, whereas importing by reference keeps the images as
separate external files.

Importing by copy pros: 
+ all information in a single file (no need to keep track of other files)
+ documents can be moved in the file structure, transferred to other file 
  systems, and checked into revision control systems without having to
  worry about external files
Importing by copy cons: 
- in worst case, you may loose some or all your images due to a rare FM bug
- documents become larger and slower to handle
- you have to manually re-import images when they're updated
- you'll get duplicate copies of images used in more than one place

Importing by reference pros:
+ smaller and faster documents
+ easy to update an image and have it reflected everywhere in all documents
+ possible to have different versions of the same image, with the same filename
  but in different locations in the file structure, and switch between them
Importing by reference cons:
- if you want to move, transfer or check in a document, you must remember to
  include the correct external image files
- there's no automatic way to keep track of which image files are used in
  which documents (you'll have to generate lists of references yourself)
- if an external image file is accidently deleted, moved or renamed, you have
  to manually fix these problems afterwards
- somewhat increased risk for cross-platform compatibility problems for
  image formats

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Thomas Michanek, [Michagon], Linkoping, Sweden
Documentation Consultant, FrameMaker/UNIX expert
EMAIL:  mailto:Thomas.Michanek@telia.com
WWW:    http://go.to/framers , or go directly to:
        http://w1.133.telia.com/~u13304072/framers
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