Oxygen XML Author Professional V24.0

DITA Authoring

• Configure and Run Validation Scenarios from the DITA Maps Manager - The DITA Maps Manager toolbar now has a validation drop-down menu that, along with the usual Validate and Check for Completeness button, contains options for running or configuring validation scenarios for the current map.
• New Sample Project Now Available to Help With DITA Customizations - The New Project Wizard now includes a new project template named Startup DITA Project that can be used as inspiration for your own custom DITA projects. This sample project contains examples for various framework customizations and a best practices project structure to help you initiate your own customizations.
• Convert Between DITA Bookmaps and Maps - New refactoring actions (Convert DITA Bookmap to Map and Convert DITA Map to Bookmap) have been added for DITA users who want to convert a DITA bookmap to a map, and vice versa.
• Change or Remove Profiling Attribute Values - A new refactoring action (Change or remove profiling attribute value) has been added for DITA users who want to change a profiling attribute value in the entire project or to remove a certain value from all defined profiling attributes.
• Define Keys for all Topic References - You now have a simple way to convert links inside a DITA project from direct to indirect (key-based addressing) via a new DITA map refactoring action (Define keys for all topic references). You can use it to define keys for all of a DITA map's topic references based on the referenced file name and it converts each direct reference in each DITA topic to a key reference.
• Sort Media Resources by Date - The Media tab in the DITA Reusable Components view now has an option in the settings drop-down menu to sort the presented media resources depending on both their last modification and creation times.
• Find All Elements When a DITA Map is Open With Expanded Topics - When a DITA map is open with all of the referenced topics expanded/editable in one document, the Find All Elements action now detects elements in the referenced topics.
• Speed Improved for Updating References When Renaming/Moving Resources - When renaming or moving DITA resources (e.g. topics) in the Project view with Main Files support enabled, references are now updated faster, improving the user experience for large DITA projects.

DITA 2.0 Standard

• Oxygen has been updated to include the latest DITA 2.0 standard DTDs.
• Convert DITA 1.3 Resources to DITA 2.0 - A new refactoring action (Convert DITA 1.3 maps and topics to the DITA 2.0) has been added to make it possible to easily convert DITA 1.3 resources to DITA 2.0. The action can be found in the DITA section of the XML Refactoring tool.
• DITA 2.0 Simple Table Handling Improvements - DITA 2.0 simple tables that contain cells spanning multiple rows and columns are now properly rendered and validated.
• Documentation Presented for New DITA 2.0 Elements and Attributes - The content completion window now presents documentation for the newly added DITA 2.0 elements and attributes.

DITA Publishing

• Publish and Upload Articles to Zendesk Help Center - A new Zendesk Help Center transformation scenario is now available, allowing you to publish DITA topics to XHTML output and upload them directly as articles to the Zendesk Help Center. Then, whenever your content is updated, you simply need to re-run the transformation and the articles in Zendesk are synchronized automatically to reflect the changes.
• Dynamically Convert Non-DITA Resources to DITA During Publishing - Added the ability to dynamically convert various types of non-DITA resources (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Markdown, or HTML documents) to DITA during the publishing process. This support is enabled for a particular resource referenced in a DITA map by specifying the type of conversion using the @format attribute on the particular <topicref> element.
• Generate PDF in Compliance with PDF/UA Standards - Support has been added for the pdf.accessibility DITA parameter when generating CSS-based PDF output. If this parameter is set to yes, the PDF output will be generated in compliance with the PDF/Universal Accessibility standard (also known as ISO 14289).
• Protect PDF Files with Security Permissions - For CSS-based PDF transformations, you can now restrict the permissions for people using your PDF files by using some new transformation parameters.
• Show Only Change Bars for Tracked Changes in PDF Output - Added the ability to only display the change bars for tracked changes in PDF output while hiding the other styling for the inserted or deleted content. This is helpful if you want to see the document in a final version while still seeing change bars where content was inserted or deleted. This can be done for both XSL-FO PDF transformations or CSS-based PDF transformations.
• Publishing Template Improvements - If the args-css parameter is set in a DITA to PDF transformation based on HTML5 & CSS and the corresponding publishing template is exported as a zip file, the value of the args-css parameter is now automatically converted to a CSS resource in the publishing template's descriptor file.
• Run DITA-OT Transformations Using the 'dita' Script - A new Prefer using the "dita" command option is now available in the Advanced tab for DITA-OT transformations. When selected, Oxygen will attempt to use the dita.bat script (dita.sh for Apple macOS and Linux) that is bundled with DITA-OT to run the transformation instead of running it as an ANT process.
• Change the Default Resolution for Images - The image.resolution transformation parameter can be used to change the default resolution of images. It mainly works on vector images (e.g. PDF, SVG) since raster images have their resolution defined in their metadata.
• Copyright Information Automatically Processed in CSS-based PDF Transformations - When generating CSS-based PDF output from a DITA map, the transformation now automatically processes copyright information based on the data specified in the DITA <copyright> and <bookrights> elements.
• Rotate Table Cells - For CSS-based PDF output, you now have the ability to rotate table cell content by using the @rotate attribute.

DITA Validation

• Use the DITA Map Validate and Check for Completeness Process in Custom Validation Scenarios - When configuring validation scenarios, you now have the option to use a new DITA Map Validation and Completeness Check engine that performs a validation process that checks the DITA map document and all referenced topics and maps. The DITA Map framework also now includes a validation scenario for performing this type of check on a map and its referenced resources.
• New Validation Engine for DITA-OT Project Files to Validate and Check for Completeness - When configuring validation scenarios, you now have the option to use a new DITA -OT Project Validation and Completeness Check engine that can be used to validate all contexts from a DITA-OT Project file. The DITA-OT Project framework also now includes a validation scenario for performing this type of check on a DITA-OT Project file.

Visual Editing

• Intelligent Selection in Author Mode - It is now easier to select and copy an element in Author mode when you use Partial Tags for the Tags Display Mode. When using this mode, you now have the ability to select a block element (along with its content) directly in the main editing pane by spanning the selection to include the element's invisible end tag (using your mouse or keyboard).
• Display Block Tags in a Compact Mode - A new mode has been added to the Tags Display Mode sub-menu named Block Tags without Element Names. It displays tags for block elements without the element names for a more compact version of the Block Tags mode.
• Save Images Locally and Update Existing References - A new contextual menu action (Save image as) is now available in Author mode for local, external, or embedded images. This action opens a dialog box where you can choose where to save the image locally and it includes an option (Update the reference to the image) that can be toggled to choose whether or not to update the path in any existing references to the image.
• Set the Initial Editing Mode Using the Framework Extension Script - When configuring a Framework Extension Script file, you now have the ability to specify the default editing mode that is loaded when a document is opened for the first time.

Comparison Tools

• Generate an HTML Report of the Results of a Directory Comparison - A new Generate HTML report for directory comparison action has been added in the Tools menu, allowing you to generate a HTML report after executing a 2-way or 3-way directory comparison. The resulting report can be saved in an output directory and you can view it in your browser or default system application. There is also an option to generate additional comparison reports for non-binary modified file pairs and the main report will include links to those additional reports.
• Save File/Directory Comparison Results in HTML Format - When using the Compare Files or Compare Directories tool, a new Save Results as HTML button is now available on the toolbar to generate a detailed comparison report as an HTML file. You can then choose to view that HTML file in your preferred internet browser or application. The resulting report displays information about all the detected differences between the files or directories.

Performance Improvements

• Startup Speed Improved - If multiple file tabs were left open in a previous editing session, the application will not load the file content at startup, or when switching projects and restoring the open files associated with that project. The file content will be loaded when you switch to the corresponding file tab. Each previously open file is still visible as a tab so you can switch to it normally. This helps to improve the application's startup time and also the time to switch between projects. You can disable this behavior by toggling the Load file content only when switching to its corresponding editor tab option that is now available in the Global preferences page.
• Optimization for Loading Large Documents - Performance has been improved when loading large documents. For example, XML documents with a lot of MathML equations and DocBook documents that include a large number of internal links are now processed and loaded faster.

Add-ons

• Git Client 3.0.0 Improvements - Various improvements have been made to the Git Client add-on:
  • You can now create new tags from the contextual menu in the Git History view. Also, there is now a toolbar action in the Git Staging view to list all the tags. Tags from the local repository can be deleted or pushed to the remote repository.
  • You can now stash uncommitted changes locally so that you can use other Git operations in the meantime. You also have options to re-apply or delete stashed changes.
  • Added a Merge "SELECTED_BRANCH" into "CURRENT_BRANCH" action in the contextual menu for local branches in the Git Branch Manager view.
  • Added a Revert commit action in the contextual menu for commits from the Git History view. It creates a new commit that reverts all the changes from the selected commit.
  • Added an Open working copy version action to the contextual menu for resources associated to a revision in the Git History view.
  • Added a Reset file to this commit action to the contextual menu for resources associated to a revision in the Git History view. It checks out the selected version of the file.
  • After a repository that contains submodules is cloned, all submodules are also automatically initialized and cloned.
  • When pulling the remote changes for a repository that contains submodules, the submodules are updated as well (by default). This behavior depends on the Update all submodules after pulling changes from the remote repository option from the Git Client preferences page in Oxygen.
  • If a submodule appears as changed in the Unstaged files area, you can open it using the Open action from the contextual menu.
  • The tooltip shown for a modified submodule from the Unstaged files area now presents information about the currently and previously tracked commits.
  • Branches created from other local branches are now automatically checked out. This behavior can be disabled by deselecting the Checkout branch option in the Create branch dialog box.
  • You can view the history for a file or directory from the Project view. When showing the history for a directory in the affected files section, the files that are descendants of the directory are presented on top and the files that are outside it are grayed out.
  • A message prompt is now displayed if you try to switch the branch while there are uncommitted changes so that you can confirm that you want to stash the changes or move them to the new branch.
  • A warning message is now displayed when trying to use the "Mark as resolved" action on a file that contains conflict markers.
  • A new ${git(working_copy_url)} editor variable can be used to return the location of the working copy directory in the form of a URL.
  • When hovering the cursor over the Pull and Push buttons, the displayed tooltip now shows information about some of the incoming/outgoing commits (such as the date, author and message).
  • When hovering the cursor over a branch name, a tooltip is now displayed that provides information about the last commit performed on that branch (such as the author and the date of the commit).
  • The highlight boxes that surround branches and tags are now styled differently so that it is easier to identify which represents a branch and which represents a tag.
  • The settings in the Git client preferences page can be saved at project level. The project can then be shared with other users and everyone will have the same Git client settings.
  • The Git Staging side-view now has a cleaner look.
  • Added support for Dutch language localization.
  • Integrated various bug fixes, component updates, and performance enhancements.
• DITA Prolog Updater Add-on Improvements - Various improvements have been made to the DITA Prolog Updater add-on:
  • Added a new option to customize the value of the @type attribute for the <author> element that is inserted to allow you to specify the primary (creator) author.
  • Added a new option to customize the value of the @type attribute for the <author> element that is inserted to allow you to specify an additional (contributor) author.
  • Improved the process so that an additional author (contributor) cannot be added if they are already specified as the primary (creator) author.
• Specify Add-ons to be Automatically Installed - A new option has been added in the Add-ons preferences page named Automatically install add-ons. You can use it to specify required add-ons for a project. Then, when a user opens the project, the specified add-ons will be automatically installed after prompting the user.
• Batch Documents Converter Add-on Improvements - Various improvements have been made to the Batch Documents Converter add-on. For example, cross-references, index entries, and footnotes are now handled properly when converting a Word document to DITA.
• Translator Helper Add-on Supports DeepL Translator - The Translator Helper add-on has been enhanced to provide support for translating content to various languages using DeepL Translator.
• Writer Helper Add-on (Experimental) - A new Writer Helper add-on is now available and it provides a side-view that is designed to help content authors with various tools that are useful for technical writers:
  • Review - You can select folders or files in the Project view and start a review session for them.
  • Similar Content - You can select folders or files in the Project view and find elements with similar content that could be reused.
  • Read Aloud - You can select content and use a Play button to listen to content out loud, read by a system-specific narrator.
  • Tips - Displays a list of editing tips, tuned for technical writers.

Scripting

• The all platforms distribution of Oxygen is bundled with a scripts sub-folder that contains scripts for automating and running various utilities from a command line interface. To run any of these scripts, you need to purchase a scripting license.
  • Generate HTML Reports for the File Comparison Script - When using the Compare Files script, a new output format is now available to generate the comparison result as an HTML file, for both 2-way and 3-way comparison. You can visualize the differences side-by-side and you can filter them by type.
  • Generate HTML Reports for the Directories Comparison Script - When using the Compare Directories script, a new output format is now available to generate the comparison result as an HTML file. It also is possible to generate separate comparison reports for all modified file pairs.
  • New Merge Option for File and Directory Comparison - When using the Compare Directories or Compare Files scripts for 3-way comparisons, the -merge argument can now be used to perform a merge operation that is similar to the same process in any version control system. After the comparison, a report is created that provides details about the changes that were made. You can also use the -mergeout argument to specify a directory path where to save the output results of the merge operation.
  • Improvements to the File and Directory Comparison Scripts - When using the Compare Files or Compare Directories script, you can now specify the file or directory paths with a URL. You now also have the ability to specify a path to a base file or directory to do 3-way comparisons. You can optionally specify the content type to force file handling for a specific type of file.
  • Batch Format and Indent Multiple Files at Once - A new command-line script (batchFormatAndIndent) is now available that can be used to format and indent multiple files at once. You can add numerous options as arguments to control which files and settings should be used for the operation.

Other

• Batch Accept Tracked Changes or Remove Comments/Highlights - A new XML refactoring operation (Accept all tracked changes, remove all Oxygen-specific comments and highlights) can be used to accept all application-specific tracked changes (from elements and attributes) or to remove all comments or highlights.
• Use Attribute Conditions in Content Completion Configuration File - The Content Completion configuration file (cc_config.xml) now supports attribute and text proposals based on simplified XPath expressions (using the <valueProposals> element).
• Use Editor Variables as Filename Prefixes and Suffixes - Editor variables can now be used as values of the filenamePrefix and filenameSuffix properties in the .properties configuration file that corresponds to a new document template.
• Use Editor Variables as Attribute Values in the Content Completion Configuration File - When configuring the insertion of attributes in the Content Completion configuration file (cc_config.xml), editor variables can now be used for the @value attribute of the <insertAttribute> element.

API

• New Plugin Extension to Provide Custom Validation Engine - The new plugin extension API ValidatorPluginExtension allows a plugin to contribute a custom validation engine used from a validation scenario to either validate the current document or batch-validate multiple documents.
• New API Methods to Access AuthorPersistentHighlight Properties - New API methods have been added to provide access to properties specific to an Author-mode highlight.
• New API Method to Access Selected URL Resources in the DITA Maps Manager View - A new API method has been added that allows access to the list of selected referenced topic URLs in the DITA Maps Manager view.
• New API Method to Access CSS Styles for Document Loaded in Memory - A new API method has been added that allows querying styles for a specific node.
• New API Method to Create Scroll Panes - A new API method has been added that allows you to create scroll panes that look and feel like the ones implemented in Oxygen.
• New API Method to Perform 3-Way Diff Comparisons - A new API method has been added that can be used to perform the diff operation between the resources represented by the three readers. The resources are compared factoring in the content type and the provided options.
• New API Method to Save Add-on Settings At Project Level - A new API method has been added that allows preferences pages provided by add-ons to save option keys at project level.
• Create Documents with References Expanded - A new expandReferences parameter has been added to the PluginWorkspace.createAuthorDocumentProvider API method and it can be used to create a document that contains a structure of Author nodes with all of the references expanded.
• Detect Content Type - A new API method has been added that can be used to detect the content type of a resource based on the systemID.
• New API to Register Plugin Extension from Workspace Access Plugin - The new plugin extension API allows a workspace access plugin to contribute a custom plugin extension dynamically instead of defining it in the plugin.xml file.

Component Updates

• Updated the TEI framework in Oxygen to the latest TEI Schemas 4.3.0 and TEI XSL Stylesheets 7.52.
• Updated the XSpec framework in Oxygen to the latest version 2.0.
• Oxygen has been tested and now officially supports eXist-db version 5.3.0.
• Updated the DITA Open Toolkit version that is bundled with Oxygen to version 3.6.1.
• Updated the Apache Batik SVG toolkit to version 1.14.
• Updated Apache FOP to version 2.6.
• Updated the Apache POI libraries to version 4.1.0.
• Updated the Calabash engine to version 1.3.2-99.
• Updated the Eclipse plugin to support version 4.21.
• Updated the EPUBCheck library to version 4.2.6.
• Updated the 10.x version of the Saxon transformer add-on to support Saxon version 10.6.
• The XMLSec package that allows signing and signature checks in XML documents has been updated to version 2.1.7.

Terms of Use Changes

• Importing Data from Excel 2007 or Newer No Longer Requires Extra Libraries - When importing data from Excel 2007 or newer, it is no longer required for you to add extra libraries (previously added by installing an add-on).
• TCP Floating License Server Functionality Removed - The old TCP floating license server functionality has been removed. If you are using floating licenses or a large number of user-based licenses, you need to use the HTTP license server functionality instead.
• DITA Map to PDF WYSIWYG Transformation Removed - The old DITA Map to PDF WYSIWYG transformation (pdf-css transtype), that was already deprecated, has been removed. It has been replaced with the DITA Map to PDF - based on HTML5 & CSS transformation (pdf-css-html5 transtype).
• DocBook WebHelp Classic with Feedback Transformation Removed - The DocBook Webhelp Classic with Feedback transformation scenario, that was already deprecated, has been removed. WebHelp Classic for DocBook can now be integrated with the new Oxygen Feedback commenting platform instead.
• Berkeley DB XML Support Deprecated - The Berkeley DB XML type of database connection has now been deprecated.
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008 Support Deprecated - The SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 types of database connections have been deprecated.
• Support for Java 8 Deprecated - The support for Java 8 in Oxygen has been deprecated and it will no longer be supported starting with version 25.0.
• Injecting a License Key in the Author Component is No Longer Possible - The ability to register a fixed license key in the Author Component is now completely removed from the code.