Proceedings

Abstract:

Structured data techniques are typically applied to text-based data. Technologies like SGML and XML have allowed text-based publishing to constrain and control the creation of text-based information, increasing the usefulness, accuracy, and reuse of information.

In contrast, in the technical publishing world, graphics are typically applied as statically linked or embedded bits of undifferentiated display information. In a sense, graphics have been a “black box” compared to the text that refers to it, making the creation, management, and reuse of smaller units within graphics quite problematic.

SPX/Valley Forge is leveraging the power of XML and SVG to attack the problem of graphics creation and re-use. A number of technologies have been developed which essentially allow us to do to graphics what we’ve been doing to text for decades. In particular:

Structure graphics into semantically meaningful chunks, allowing content developers to assemble those chunks into composite graphics.

Re-use graphical components between different document sets, avoiding redundant creation of graphics.

Create and manage multi-language graphical components for ease of language translation.

Support late-binding of graphical references to allow changes in component graphics to be reflected automatically in composite graphics which refer to them

The SVG editing system presented in this paper uses a number of techniques to implement a distributed, easy-to-use, graphical data entry system. These include: XML storage of graphics, SVG-created SVG, client-side editing, delayed rendering, graphical inclusion by reference (not by value), and a distributed architecture.

From a business perspective, the SVG editing system allows the author to act as “illustrator” in many situations, increasing efficiency. It also brings graphical “content” into the mainstream of content creation – replacing opaque black boxes with intelligent chunks of data that can be managed and re-used.

Using a case study, we outline the SVG editing system, outline its benefits, and the technology employed to achieve them.