DITA to PDF using CSS3

[daudvyd]

Is there a relatively easy and inexpensive way in Oxygen to convert DITA to PDF using CSS3? I understand that there are several excellent commercial products available like Prince, but they are unfortunately outside the price range of my one-man startup. I've been using Oxygen's built-in PDF generator with good results. But, now I would like to create DITA specializations that produce text boxes with curved corners and other graphics and pursuing this in XSL-FO is really daunting. It looks easier in CSS3. Thank you.

[daudvyd]

I just noticed two CSS based transformations in the configuration window. I'll try those first.

[daudvyd]

I notice that Oxygen has builtin transformation scenarios for DITA to PDF using CSS. I'm looking in C:\Program Files\Oxygen XML Editor 20\frameworks\dita\css\core to see how different elements are rendered. topic-body.css includes an "example" element (pasted below). How would I trigger this from a DITA file? Doesn't DITA have only the Concept, Task, and Reference types?

Code: Select all

 

 * <example>

 * 

 * The example element is a section that contains examples 

 * that illustrate or support the current topic.

 */

*[class~="topic/example"] {

  /*See -colors.css*/

  display: block;

  margin:1em 1em 1em 1em;

  padding:0.5em;

  border: 1pt solid;

}

@media oxygen {

  *[class~="topic/example"] {

    -oxy-foldable: true;

    -oxy-not-foldable-child: title;

  }

}

[Costin]

Hi,

Tasks, concepts and references are DITA specializations, while "<example/>" is an element.
It may be contained in the body of such specialization topics (like taskbody, conbody or refbody).
More details available in the OASIS DITA specification.

Regards,
Costin

[daudvyd]

Costin, thank you for your help. I was able to use the example element. Do the CSS transformation scenarios shipped with Oxygen have full support of CSS3? What part of Oxygen is actually writing the PDF--is that "Chemistry"? Are there any Oxygen training material dedicated to working with DITA and CSS3?

[Costin]

Hi daudvyd,

Most of the CSS3 properties are supported in oXygen. For a complete list of the supported CSS3 elements, you should consult the Appendix available in the Chemistry User-Guide.
And yes, Chemistry is our proprietary PDF engine.

There is also the Oxygen DITA-OT CSS Publishing to PDF Plugin User-Guide, that helps in order to work with the available PDF through CSS support in oXygen.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Costin

[daudvyd]

Thank you. That guide is very helpful.