You can create a Microsoft HTML Help project by using a WinHelp project file (.HPJ) and its source files, including .DOC files, graphics, and multimedia. The .HPJ file allows you to manage and organize all the files and other information required to create the final compiled WinHelp file (.HLP).
All WinHelp features that have HTML counterparts are transferred into the HTML project, including formatting from the Word documents. You can transfer an entire WinHelp project or select specific .DOC files.
When you create an HTML Help project from an .HPJ file, RoboHELP does the following:
Creates a RoboHELP project: Information in the .HPJ file is used to create a Microsoft HTML Help project file (.HHP) and a RoboHELP project file (.MPJ). Whenever you work with the project in RoboHELP, you open the .MPJ file. You can use the RoboHELP project to create compiled Microsoft HTML Help (.CHM), cross-platform Help, intranet content, WebHelp, JavaHelp (.JAR), and Oracle Help (.JAR).
Creates HTML topics: On the WinHelp side, all topics are saved in .DOC files. On the HTML side, a separate HTML topic (.HTM file) is created for each WinHelp topic. These files are saved in project folders. You can save them in a main project folder, in a subfolder that you name, or in folders and subfolders that use the same names as the books and sub-books in your WinHelp table of contents (.CNT). You can also rename the topic titles and the HTML files, as well as delete the ones you don't need in your HTML Help project.
Converts WinHelp graphics into HTML images: WinHelp bitmap files (.BMP, .MRB) and metafiles (.WMF) are converted into Graphic Interchange Format (.GIF) or high-color photographic format (.JPEG). The image files are saved in the main project folder or in a subfolder that you name.
Converts hotspot images into image maps: WinHelp hotspot graphics (.SHG) are converted into HTML image maps in either .GIF or .JPEG format. The hotspots are not visible in the image. You can edit the image maps. For further information, see Creating Image Maps.
Converts WinHelp navigation into HTML navigation: Your WinHelp jumps are converted into HTML hyperlinks and you can convert WinHelp popups into Smart Popups (popup windows that display HTML topics in a window that sizes to fit content). If your project includes browse sequences, they are also converted.
Maintains authorable buttons: Your WinHelp authorable buttons will be maintained in the HTML topics. Text buttons, mini buttons, shortcut buttons and graphical buttons all convert and work in the HTML topics. You can modify authorable buttons and create new ones in the WYSIWYG Editor. In RoboHELP, these kinds of buttons are known as link controls (related topics, ALinks, keyword links) and HTML Help controls (WinHelp topic links, shortcuts, splash screens, and close windows).
Creates an HTML table of contents (.HHC): Information in your WinHelp table of contents file (.CNT) is used to create an HTML table of contents that includes the same books and pages. You can add, modify and remove books and pages from the table of contents in the TOC Composer.
Creates an HTML index (.HHK): Information in the .RTF files (ALink and KLink keywords) is used to create an HTML index that includes these same keywords. Your index can include single-level and multiple-level keywords. You can modify your keywords in the Index Designer and use the Smart Index Wizard to automate many of your indexing tasks.
Formats the HTML topics to look like the WinHelp topics: If you want to share the same WinHelp formats among all the HTML topics and use them with new topics that you create in the HTML project, you can create and link style sheets that are based on the styles in your .DOC files. If you do not want to attach external style sheets, you can apply the WinHelp styles to HTML topics via paragraph and character formatting.
Converts bulleted and numbered lists: You can convert your bulleted and numbered lists into HTML lists (automatic numbers and bullet characters). Or you can turn them into hard-coded numbered and bulleted lists that retain special WinHelp paragraph formats such as line spacing and indentation.
Converts Build tags: If your WinHelp project includes build tags, they are carried over into the HTML Help project. Build tags are fully supported and you can update existing tags, modify build expressions, add new tags and remove existing ones from the project. You can use build tags with compiled Microsoft HTML Help, WebHelp, JavaHelp, and Oracle Help.
Converts Context-sensitive Help: You can convert your context-sensitive Help topics into What's This? Help-style topics (text-only topics) or individual HTML topics (for window-level Help).