Starting a new DITA Project -- Work in Progress

To start a new DITA project, you must create a new directory in the DITA File Manager and save it as a Project.

When you start a new DITA project through the ditausers.org web site, you create a directory in your designated workspace in the DITA File Manager. The new directory contains empty default dita files for the topic, concept, reference, and task file types. It also includes a default DITA map. You can access the dita files from the DITA Users DITA Manager Project page and from the File Manager source directory. You can access the DITA map only in the File Manager source directory.

The following procedure describes how to create a new project and update the DITA Manager Project page.

  1. Navigate to your DITA Manager located at www.ditausers.org/Users/your_user_name/dita/. The Login to DITA Users Timelines page opens.

  2. In the designated fields, type your user name or email address and password and click Enter.
    Note: The Password field is case sensitive.
    The DITA Manager Overview page appears, listing the projects currently available in your workspace.

  3. Navigate to the “new” project and click Open. The DITA Manager new Project page appears.

  4. In the DITA Manager Project page, click Open source directory in File Manager. The DITA Users Intranet Log In page opens.

  5. In the designated fields, type your user name or email address and password.
    Note: The Password field is case sensitive.
  6. In the Language dropdown list, select the language you want to use from the dropdown list and click Log In. The DITA Users TimeLines page appears.

  7. In the Files Root toolbar of the DITA Users TimeLines page, click dita. This selects the workspace directory in which the project is created.
    Note: You can create projects only in the dita directory.
  8. In the Directories toolbar, click New. The New Directory Name toolbar appears.

  9. In the New Directory Name field, type the name of the new project, select the as DITA Project checkbox, and click Save.
    Note: Do not include spaces in the project name.
    The DITA Users Timelines page displays the new project in the list of project directories.
  10. Return to the DITA Manager at http://www.ditausers.org/Users/Your_User_Name/dita/. The overview page includes your new project in the project list.
    Note: For ease of navigation, you can save your DITA Manager overview page as a Favorite in your Internet browser.
After you have created the project directory, you can create project topics, DITA maps, and supporting sub-directories for project materials such as graphics.