Topic: Create and how to open help file in chm or pdf format.?

[MvdP]

I want to create a help file (similar to express tools or autocad ) with a short illustrated explanation of some of my routines (with help from this great forum)and i was wondering in which format to do this, in chm  or pdf format.?And the most imported thing off course is how to code this in a help button.?I did search this forum and found one thread about opening an pdf in AutoCAD but that seems to be allmost impossible because of the long directory names i have.BTW i started my help file in word.

[MP]

A couple weeks ago I started toying with HTA (HTML Application) files for interactive help. Pretty cool potential, but I don't profess to have any expertise (yet). One of my books (VBScript Programmer's Reference, Wrox Press) does discuss them, so I expect to be able to exploit them quite a bit in the months to come.

See the Technet site.

[ronjonp]

I've been using this for about 3 years and love it.....for $50 it is a steal

http://www.helpmatic.net/hmphtml.html

[Guest]

Owen uses a freebie program for his OpenDCL help documentation.  The name of the program eludes me at the moment, but if you crack open the CHM for OpenDCL I believe it says what it is at the bottom.

I downloaded it a while ago - it was pretty big - and messed around with it and it seemed to be pretty good.

[Mark]

this is the code I use to open .chm files. As for creating them Microsoft offers a free version of the compiler.

Code: [Select]

(defun dms-help (/ mt-fn)
  (if
    (findfile "dms.chm")
    (progn
      (setq mt-fn (findfile "dms.chm"))
      (startapp "hh" mt-fn)
      ); progn
    (alert "Help File Not Found...[DMS.CHM]")
    ); if
  (princ)
  ); dms-help



[Andrea]

this one is more expensive..
but very powerful.

http://www.ec-software.com/products_hm_overview.html

[KewlToyZ]

I've used versions of Front Page to make chm files without any trouble as well.
I know most people dislike Front Page.
But I always found it easy to use even with some of it's garbage code generation.
I found it simple to use when it comes to text & image formatting appearance.
chm is just a choice to save as and is a template to create from.

[sinc]

I've used versions of Front Page to make chm files without any trouble as well.
I know most people dislike Front Page.
But I always found it easy to use even with some of it's garbage code generation.
I found it simple to use when it comes to text & image formatting appearance.
chm is just a choice to save as and is a template to create from.

Really?

I've been using an old copy of FrontPage for our company website, but I've been creating help files in a time-consuming way by hand-editing HTML and CSS files...  Maybe I should try switching...   

I've actually been thinking of getting something better for doing the website, because Frontpage is rather weak...  But it's probably better than hand-editing HTML...   

[KewlToyZ]

I never could get into dreamweaver.
I always found it obtuse, but everyone has their preferences.

If I'm building an application for SQL 2K data then it is Visual Studio 2005 with the 2.0 framework and AJAX.

Other than that, I still like my Front Page 2003 

[Kerry]

HelpMaker - Help Authoring Tool

http://www.vizacc.com/
HelpMaker makes WinHelp, RTF, HTML-Help, Websites, PDF files.
It is 100% free.

[It's Alive!]

I've been using this one
http://www.ibe-software.com/products/software/helpndoc/

..I think Mark posted this a while back.. :kewl:

[Mark]

Here's the link to the free MS compiler.

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=14188

more info here

[MvdP]

Almost all the replies are about creating chm is this meaning that a pdf can not be openend in AutoCAD.?

[Kerry]

Almost all the replies are about creating chm is this meaning that a pdf can not be openend in AutoCAD.?

No, they can.

[MvdP]

And how can they be opened.?

[MP]

I've been using this one
http://www.ibe-software.com/products/software/helpndoc/

..I think Mark posted this a while back.. :kewl:

Thank you Daniel / Mark. I used it for about an hour before  I bought a license. Easy / clean, produces chm and html. What's not to like.

[Mark]

And how can they be opened.?

I haven't tried it but 'startapp' might do the trick.

[sinc]

Almost all the replies are about creating chm is this meaning that a pdf can not be openend in AutoCAD.?

No, they can.

I think the reason I prefer HTML help to PDF help is that the HTML will justify to fit the window you have open.  If you resize the window, the text will adjust to fit.  Line lengths change, etc.

With PDF help, WYSIWYG.  The text is basically "frozen" in place.  You can zoom and pan it, but it doesn't automatically refit itself to the window.  That has it's advantages, too, but I generally prefer the HTML version for help.

[MP]

And how can they be opened?

Sorry MvdP, I missed this post. I've never opened a PDF from within AutoCAD.

As Sinc shared, standard help files would be my preference and I think the most flexible, since imagery can be embedded in chm files along with rich text, the latter being easy to resize / flow per the container.

[hendie]

I would go for the free MS chm compiler. I've used it a lot in the past and it's reasonably good.
NAD the good thing about using chm files is that you can merge them into the original AutoCAD help file system ~ so you don't need to worry abotu creating a button just for your own stuff ~ open up the Acad help and there's you own stuff right in there with it.

[Crank]

And how can they be opened.?

The next code always uses your default viewer. Filename must include the extension.

Code: [Select]

(defun pdf (filename / shell bestand)
(vl-load-com)
(setq bestand (findfile (strcat "Subdirectory/" filename)))
(if bestand
(progn
(setq shell (vla-getinterfaceobject (vlax-get-acad-object) "Shell.Application"))
(vlax-invoke-method shell 'Open bestand)
(vlax-release-object shell)
)
(alert "File not found!")
)
(princ)
)


[csgoh]

To open a chm file, try using (command "shell" "c:/foldername/myhelp.chm").
Using startapp will not work.

csgoh

[Crank]

The code I've posted works with every file format.
PDF, CHM, SWF, WAV, WMV, you name it.

[It's Alive!]

I've been using this one
http://www.ibe-software.com/products/software/helpndoc/

..I think Mark posted this a while back.. :kewl:

Thank you Daniel / Mark. I used it for about an hour before  I bought a license. Easy / clean, produces chm and html. What's not to like.

So when can we see the "Cowboy Advice"?

[MP]

So when can we see the "Cowboy Advice"?

I've posted some here and there, but if you want them all at once --

Wisdom from Will Rogers

• Always drink upstream from the herd.
• Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.
• Don't squat with your spurs on.
• If you find yourself in a hole stop digging.
• If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
• Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.
• Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.
• Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
• Never miss a good chance to shut up.
• Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.
• Talk slowly, think quickly.
• The best way out of a difficulty is through it.
• There's two theories to arguing effectively with a woman. Neither one works.
• Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
• What the country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds.

[It's Alive!]

Ah, words to live by.

[KewlToyZ]

 
I hate PDF, it is the bane of useful information and productivity.
Acrobat is a horrible interface.
Standards committee's using it are wasting theirs and everyone else's time as well.
Usually the number one reason people don't adopt standards is the cost in re-creating the information out of the gate in a useful format.
PDF- fine for a novel, junk for industry usage.
Useful to the paranoid.

[delium55]

;;; Voir aussi la fonction AUTOLISP (startapp) pour une mιthode alternative.
;;; Permet d'appeler d'autres programmes, utilitaires DOS ou WINDOWS au travers AutoCad
;;; (sans sortir d'AutoCad) 
EXPLORER,  START EXPLORER, 1,,
WRITE,     START WRITE, 1,,
ACAD,      START ACAD, 1,,
EXCEL,     START EXCEL, 1,,
BD,        START EXPLORER r:\acad\misc\library\,1
NOTEPAD,   START NOTEPAD,  1,*Fichier ΰ ιditer:,
TDA,       START WINWORD  c:\mydocs\tcards3.doc,1
TCD,       START EXCEL    c:\mydocs\tcards3.xls,1
PBRUSH,    START PBRUSH,   1,,
TC,        http://taylor3/intranet/lisp/Taacad.html,0

            helpme,start myhelp.chm, 1,,                   
GRPHELP,    STARTAPP"hh" "J:\\ESTB\\Grplayer.chm"
;;;Dans un menu                                                                           
[Convertisseur d'unitιs] (Startapp "G:/Esbpcs/utils/ESBUnitConv.exe")

;;;Dans une macro activant un bouton                               
^C^C^P(startapp "explorer" (strcat "/e," (getvar "dwgprefix")))
                                 
;;; Dans une routine LISP
(defun C:DIRR ()(COMMAND ".BROWSER" (GETVAR "DWGPREFIX")))

;;; (command "start" (findfile "Myfile.pdf))

To load some help files to my menu:
[&ESTB --Info--Routines--Trucs et Astuces--Tutoriels]^C^C^P(if(not C:ESTBaide)(load"ESTBaide"));ESTBaide

[KewlToyZ]

Outside AutoCAD 
<------Hates PDF :pissed: