FrameMaker development - until version 3.0
Release date | Version 1.11b [5] 1986 ? |
Version 1.3 1988 |
Version 2.0 and 2.1 1989 |
Version 3.0 1992 1/2 Quarter |
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User interface [4] | File path to be typed in (open, save, import) | X-Window support. File selection lists. Remember last directory | Localised: de, fr Macintosh version available in May 1990) Version 2.1: Localised version for Japan |
Menu structure changed. 'Page' menu folded into 'Format'. Windows 3.11 version probably available 1992 |
Documentation/ Help | About 100 pages 8.5 x 11" [1] | Manual more comprehensive, size 7.5x9.5". Additional short guides on MIF, MML and early FDK | Additional information in supplements (tables, cond. text). 2.5" thick book listing all 3rd party products "Frame Connections" |
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OS specifics & fonts | UNIX version only (Sun Sparc, Apollo Domain) MIF file handling right from the beginning ??? |
File selection dialog added to all fields requesting a file name | Version 2.1 ??? ported to Macintosh (no screen capture, macros, context
menus); Version 2.1 running X Window and OS/Motif on Apllo, DEC, HP, IBM, SUN and NEXT |
NeXt version discontinued "Version for Windows NT is planned for launch later 1992" |
Document handling | Spell checking for few languages; change bars | Search includes all object types. Version 2.1: Eur. paper sizes and metric measures |
Conditional text introduced | |
Typography | ¶-designer has only 1 'page' of properties | ¶-designer with several 'pages'; Character styles introduced | ||
Page layout | One masterpage per document (page 0). 1-line header and 1-line footer; mirror for R/L | Multiple masterpages. Text frames to define header and footer. Reference pages (boiler plate elements, definitions for TOC etc.) | 'Text Rectangles' became 'Text Columns' (later: text frames) | |
Graphics / colour | Graphic capabilities (except text frame). Rotate in 90° steps | Rotated text in 90° increments, graphics in any angle. Spot colour introduced [3] | Break each text line in a column into separate text frame (pseudo run-around).
Basic colour for objects. Process colour using Open Prepress Interface |
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Tables | Tables introduced, full set of functions | |||
Import / Export | Basic import filters Print, print to PDF |
Version 2.0: Import filters for some text formats Version 2.1: Filtrix filters for 25 formats |
MML import [softline.com]; filters added for DCA, CGM, CCITT-G4, IGES, HPGL, DXF and Calcomp 960 | |
Hypertext | Hypertext commands introduced 1993-01: HyperGen [3]HyperGen war a product of Frank Stearns Associates, the makers of IXGEN makes TOC, IX and X-refs live |
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Language | Language is ¶-property; dicitionaries for 4 languages. Version 2.1: now 11 language dictionaries (spell, hyphenation) |
International hyphenation and spelling support | ||
Variables, references | System variables, user defined variables | Cross references introduced. Character properties in variables | ||
Book operations; generated files | Special text file in MIF syntax to define contents of book; run in batch mode with fmbook. Probably only TOC and index available. | Dialogues for book building and generated lists | Batch book building More types of generated lists |
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Utilities | fmbook, fmbatch FrameReader, FrameViewer ??? |
No utilities on Macintosh | No utilities on Windows | |
Formulas | Equations Editor based on Milo introduced | Typography enhanced | ||
SGML | 1992-Q4: FrameBuilder (SUN) = FrameMaker + SGML [2] |
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Commercial issues | DECwrite is based on FM 1.0 [Pospectus 1992–02] | 1991-01: European sales are 17% of revenue 1990-02: >14000 licences worldwide; price of UX versions USD 2500.– |
Mac version: USD 995.- Win version: USD 795.- FrameBuilder: USD 1995.– on SUN. 1992–08: 60% revenue encrease in Q2 most likely due to Windows version 1992–02 [prospectus]: > 50'000 licenses; Int. sales steady on 14–17% revenue |
Notes
[1] From e-mail conversation with Martha J Davidson: a very clear description of what the program was for, how it worked, and how to use all of its features.
[2] Based on Exoterica XGML Engine, licenced already in 1989.
[3] Sources consider the functions as powerful as SunDraw of those days.
[4] Keyboard 'shortcuts' for nearly every task available. When was this introduced ???
[5] The first publically known version of FrameMaker
[6] HyperGen was a product of Frank Stearns Associtates. See FSA oldies.