So … I have a whole bookmap's worth of valid DITA files I've developed with XML Mind, and it seemed to me they would be a good starting point if I want to explore using structured FM for DITA.
The first thing that hits me when I open any of these files in FM10 is that FM (naturally) applies its own page layouts and paragraph styles. Purely logical, since I haven't defined anything else. Keeping my fingers well away from ths structure, I use the familiar paragraph designer to update the styles FM has applied and soon have a pleasing combination of DITA structure and FM layout … until I save and re-open the document, and find all my formatting has been discarded.
Deceptively simple – can of worms perched on tip of iceberg – question: what do I have to do to update the layout/styles? I realise there may be many more styles defined than elements used by my simple DITA files, and (even) that the inheritance we miss in unstructured FM may suddenly spring in to complicate matters in structured: but if I want to keep my readers and clients happy, I need to wrap the fine bones of structure in the fair flesh of formatting. Keeping me happy wouldn't be so bad, either :-}
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