Arbortext PTC/User Blog

This video goes with the meeting notice posted here. This video is a recorded version of:

“Return on Investment of a DITA Learning Specialization
—A Case Study“

Presented by Scott Youngblom, Oberon Technologies

This is a recorded version of a live Go2Meeting webcast. The video is posted as is. It has not been edited. You should go read Scott’s biography here. Every last bit is completely live.

Download the slides.

 Video: Scott Youngblom - ROI of a DITA Learning Specialization: Play Now | Play in Popup

Update: The video for this meeting has been posted here.

Please join us online for our regular meeting:

“Combining Projections to Create Enhanced Lineart Images“

Presented by Rick Ernst, Newbook Production

Date: Saturday, 24 July 2010, 9:00-10:30 AM Pacific/US

Location: Online via GoToMeeting. You must Register to receive the GoToMeeting invite.

Cost: Free and open to all who wish to attend.

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/674447594

Abstract:

In this demonstration, we explore a series of steps that can be used to create a title cover page images comprised of a continuous tone image (Photograph) and lineart. This technique is ideally suited for title cover page illustrations for a technical manual or publication. This type of technique was utilized in the 1950s-1970s where illustrators created lineart images on clear acetate on top of airbrush retouched photographic images to improve the visual impact of the image.

We will explore the basic operations involved with combining projections to create enhanced lineart images.  After completing this demonstration, we will understand the advantages of associativity, be able to access the Image browser and apply an associative link to to 3-D CAD solid models. Next we will apply colors to selected assemblies, parts and apply 3-D projections to convert the 3-D data to a 2-D illustration. Next, we will apply adjustments to the Background layer and duplicate the associative link to the Standard layer. Then we will apply a 3-D Transformation to return to the 3-D environment where we will convert the image to 2-D lineart. Finally we will adjust the thick and thin pens as necessary and export the file as a raster image.

Audience:
This demonstration is intended for Authors and Illustrators of technical information who work with 3-D CAD data and want to create title cover page illustrations.

Topics:

• The Advantages of Associativity
• Access the Image browser
• Apply an associative link (to a 3-D CAD solid model)
• Apply colors to assemblies and parts
• Apply 3-D Projections and convert to 2-D image.
• Adjust the Background Layer
• Duplicate the associative link
• Apply 3-D Transformation
• Convert to 2-D and apply Thick and Thin lines
• Adjust Thick and Thin Pens as necessary
• Export a file

About the Speaker

Rick Ernst was born in 1967 in Kitchener, Ontario. Rick attended Sheridan College where he studied Scientific (Technical) Illustration and Computer Graphics.  Rick has more than 14 years of accomplished experience in the areas of Technical Publications and Illustration. Experience working with military, telecommunications and construction equipment standards. His related experience includes two years at PTC as a Technical Writer and less than a year at ITEDO as a technical support Engineer. At PTC he rewrote the Arbortext IsoDraw curriculum consisting of three courses: Arbortext IsoDraw Foundation, Arbortext IsoDraw CADprocess and Arbortext IsoDraw Update. Currently Rick works for Newbook Production Inc. as the training co-ordinator where he fulfills a variety of tasks to support customer learning, engagement, and training.

Note

This meeting will be held online. You must RSVP to receive the GoToMeeting invite. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Acknowledgements

This meeting is brought to you by the SF Bay Arbortext PTC/User Group.

We want to thank Single-Sourcing Solutions for coordinating our meeting logistics, administration, and for providing access to their GoToMeeting resources and conference bridge facilities.

This video goes with the meeting notice posted here. This video is a recorded version of:

“Why DITA Why XML Why Now”
Presented by Julio Vazquez, SDI
March 2010 Arbortext PTC/User Group Meeting

This is a recorded version of a live Go2Meeting webcast. The video is posted as is. It has not been edited. You should go read Julio’s biography here. Every last bit is completely live.

You can access the video here. You may need the Citrix Go2Meeting codec which is available here.

 Why XML, Why DITA, Why Now by Julio Vazquez, SDI: Play Now | Play in Popup

Update: The video has been posted here.

Please join us online for our next meeting:

“Return on Investment of a DITA Learning Specialization
—A Case Study“

Presented by Scott Youngblom, Oberon Technologies

Date: Saturday, 22 May 2010, 9:00-10:30 AM Pacific/US

Location: Online via GoToMeeting. You must Register to receive the GoToMeeting invite.

Cost: Free and open to all who wish to attend.

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/358978618

Topic

This presentation details the cost savings and additional revenue generation provided to a customer by implementing a DITA-based Learning specialization. It also explains the improvements and expansion of the product offerings to the customer.

This case study includes:

• A discussion of the initial challenges the customer faced, including how to justify the project costs in these tough economic times
• How implementing a DITA-based Learning specialization helped them to overcome these challenges and automate a number of prior manual processes providing a faster time to market for their products while saving costs
• How they were able to supply their consumers with more consistent, accurate and timely information
• How the DITA architecture has allowed them to keep the printed content and Web content synchronized and expanded their capability to provide additional, more personalized product offerings, thereby increasing their revenue projections

About the Speaker

Scott Youngblom is a co-founder of Oberon Technologies, a leading provider of automated publishing IT solutions based on XML and SGML. With a degree in Communications and Business, Scott has an information technology career spanning over 23 years, with over 13 of them specifically involved with automated publishing solutions. Having started out as a programmer with EDS (Electronic Data Systems) in his early career, Scott has taken his technical background; along with his knowledge of various “best-of-breed” software publishing technologies, and applied them to Fortune 2000 organizations in support of meeting specific business requirements such as increasing company revenue, decreasing expenses to improve company margins, or meeting regulatory compliance and quality standards. Prior to starting Oberon Technologies, Scott worked 12 years at Arbortext (now PTC).

Note

This meeting will be held online. You must RSVP to receive the GoToMeeting invite. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Acknowledgements

This meeting is brought to you by the SF Bay Arbortext PTC/User Group.

We want to thank Single-Sourcing Solutions for coordinating our meeting logistics, administration, and for providing access to their GoToMeeting resources and conference bridge facilities.

Update: Video has been posted here. Intro slides here.

Please join us online for our next meeting:

“Why XML, Why Now, Why DITA”

Presented by Julio Vasquez, SDI

Date: Saturday, 27 March 2010, 9:00-10:30 AM Pacific/US

Location: Online via GoToMeeting. You must Register to receive the GoToMeeting invite.

Cost: Free and open to all who wish to attend.

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/798824482

Topic

Unless you live in a cave, it’s hard to escape the commotion being raised out there by people talking about XML and DITA structures. All the buzz may have you wondering why you should switch to XML and why should you adopt DITA as your structure.

Then again, you might not. You may be one of those people plugging away with your traditional desktop publishing system without ever thinking of changing. Perhaps you are one of those who has been lulled into a false sense of stability by doing the same thing, the same way you always have, and using the same ‘ole tools.

What you don’t realize is that the business world around you has been rapidly changing and either you keep up or you get left behind.

In this web session, we will discuss the major reasons why it is becoming more and more critical for businesses to consider moving away from the old desktop systems to solutions that embrace XML.

We will talk about:

• What XML brings to the table
• How XML helps you get control of your content production processes
• How companies can actually achieve more with less by adopting XML
• Why it makes sense that DITA should be the basis of your solution

About the Speaker

Julio Vazquez is currently an information architect with SDI. Julio is a key principle who has designed and implemented publication solutions for various SDI clients. He uses his knowledge of technical communications, information architecture, previous publication experience, and investigatory skills to determine information solutions that best fit a client’s needs.

In his previous career with IBM, he was on the corporate team that defined DITA and wrote the first article on the language in April of 2002. He has presented at STC-Carolina, DITA East and DocTrain West and DITA North America on various topics. His first book on DITA, Practical DITA, presents an approach to understanding how to write using DITA from the ground up. He has also published a paper about indexing in the Center for Information Design Management (CIDM) Best Practices Newsletter and is a contributor to the Yahoo! DITA User’s Group, a founder of the RTP DITA User’s Group and a staunch DITA advocate.

Julio Vasquez, SDI

Note

This meeting will be held online. You must RSVP to receive the GoToMeeting invite: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/798824482. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Acknowledgements

This meeting is brought to you by the SF Bay Arbortext PTC/User Group.

We want to thank Wolters Kluwer for supporting our organization and community-focused programs.

We want to thank Single-Sourcing Solutions for coordinating our meeting logistics, administration, and for providing access to their GoToMeeting resources and conference bridge facilities.