Constrain Elements Visible in XMetaL

[tmartin73]

Is it possible to limit the list of elements made available in XMetaL so that I can match them to what I have defined in my company's information model?
If so, are there any resources available that discuss this? I didn't see anything on this forum.

I'm using Version#: 6.0.2.070.

Thanks, - TM

[Derek Read]

Your best option is to create a specialized DITA DTD. How to do that in not discussed is our own documentation though. Our documentation discusses how to integrate such a DTD into the XMetaL Author Enterprise installation so that you can author to it. This is covered in the following help topic: Working with DITA > DITA specializations.

For information on creating a specialized DITA DTD I recommend these resources:

• DITA Architectural Specification - chapter 5
  XMetaL Author Enterprise includes a copy here: Help > DITA Specifications > DITA Architectural Specification
• Eliot Kimber's Tutorials: http://xiruss.org/tutorials/dita-specialization

We have several partners that may be able to help you depending on your exact needs. You may wish to discuss that with our sales team or have a look here:
  http://na.justsystems.com/partners-service
  http://na.justsystems.com/partners-solution

[tmartin73]

OK, thanks. With DITA 1.2, there is built-in support for contraints right? I'll have to research that some too.
It would be nice if XMetaL allowed you to "turn-off" individual elements visible in the elements list.

[Derek Read]

XMetaL Author has APIs that let you hide elements in the Element List. A simple script can be written to do this, but there may be complications from that depending on how tightly you wish to control what your authors are doing (basically, the fact that they are not listed in the Element List does not make them invalid for insertion, so that you could still paste in such content or enter it into Plain Text view). Modifying a DTD or Schema is the only real way to avoid that.

[Derek Read]

Something else that I have overlooked here is the fact that you can hide all elements from a given domain. That feature (supported out of the box with no additional work required) is available in the DITA Options dialog (Tools > DITA Options).

If you need more granular control than this however, then you are looking at custom work.