Converting Canvas to HTML

May 19, 2006 7:26 AM

How to convert Canvas 10.4.0 files to HTML?

I am working with a friend who uses Canvas 10.4.0 for desktop publishing, and she needs assistance converting her files to a useable HTML format. More acccurately, I need her to send me useable HTML files in addition to PDFs, and I have never used Canvas so I do not know how to walk her through the process.

The first two attempts to convert the files to HTML produce a bunch of pointer HTML files, and a CSS file and then a directory ("_res") with cut up GIF images of the document.

The files she produces really are basic, without much formatting as far I can tell. I originally tried to simply copy and paste the text from the PDF she sent me, but because of the facing pages layout she uses the output ends up being one line from one page and the next line from the next page, etc, etc. Making it time consuming for me.

She would really like to learn how to output to HTML from Canvas, but I am at a loss as to how to go about doing this. The program is a paid app, but does have a 15-day trial version. I am thinking about downloading it and seeing if the trial version isn't crippled, so I can muck about myself, but I was hoping some community member out there might be able to give me some step-by-steps that I can pass on to my friend.

Thanks.

posted by terrapin to computers & internet (3 comments total)

I haven't found a dtp app that produces clean HTML. Be much easier to just layout the pages in dreamweaver than trying any of that automated crap.

Trust me, I work with web and print design every day and the cleanest way to transfer a brochure to the web is to recreate from scratch.
posted by twistedonion at 8:35 AM on May 19, 2006

This person is doing me a major favor (and for free) so I am not inclined to ask them to switch software on my behalf. But thanks.
posted by terrapin at 10:50 AM on May 19, 2006

They don't have to switch software. I believe the overall message is that HTML export from DTP apps is more work than it's worth (to clean up). As a result, you may wish to spend the time developing a standard layout in css and then use that each time a new project is needed (assuming of course their is continuity.)

In these cases, I always request the source files. For text, I prefer text files, but Word is usable. For images, I usually request native Photoshop files if possible. For logos, I request Illustrator or Encapuslated Postscript Files.

Finally, a copy of a PDF for layout and discussion about how page layout for print isn't always the best thing for page layout for the internet.

Following that, program a style sheet that will control the layout of all the content and then code the content.

This doesn't help your friend export directly out of Canvas but it would help develop a standard system to developing web equivalents.

The other route is to go all XML and use XSLT, CSS, etc., but that may not be warranted in this case. However, you may wish to check out Canvas's XML features, if any.
posted by juiceCake at 11:16 AM on May 19, 2006