Reply To: Applying custom stylesheets

[Derek Read]

To customize PDF output you cannot use the setting you are referring to. Instead do the following:

1. Duplicate the main folder for the PDF plug-in you wish to modify, keeping it at the same level within the DITA OT we deploy (this is not entirely necessary unless you are very familiar with the DITA OT and can maintain all of the various paths to referenced files).
For example:
C:Program FilesCommon FilesXMetaL SharedDITA_OTdemoxmfoCustomization
C:Program FilesCommon FilesXMetaL SharedDITA_OTdemoxmfoCustomization2
C:Program FilesCommon FilesXMetaL SharedDITA_OTdemoxmfoCustomization3

2. Make your changes to your duplicate copy. I would suggest making one minor change (like changing paragraph text to blue for example) to test the rest of these steps before making more major changes. That way you will at least know you have this all working and that changes you make to the XSL / XSL-FO aren't causing problems.

3. [Optionally] create a new deliverable in XMetaL Author Enterprise using the Duplicate button in Configure Output (basing it on the same deliverable type used for the folder you duplicated. Again, creating a new deliverable is a good idea because then you can run the one we ship (without any changes) if you run into problems with the DITA OT.

4. Point XMetaL to your duplicate folder by editing your new deliverable type and adding the following parameter to “Other output parameters” on the Advanced tab:
RX_CUSTOM_DIR =

Example (using folder examples above):
RX_CUSTOM_DIR = “C:Program FilesCommon FilesXMetaL SharedDITA_OTdemoxmfoCustomization2”

Note: This parameter is a proprietary XMetaL Author Enterprise parameter. It is supported only in XMetaL Author Enterprise 5.1 and later.

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