Create Eye-Catching Output Altova StyleVision 2008 features a unique graphical design interface for creating stylesheets to transform XML and database data into multiple output formats. Because StyleVision produces standards-conformant XSLT 1.0, XSLT 2.0, and XSL:FO stylesheets, plus HTML, Word/RTF, PDF, and Authentic form output simultaneously, based on one design, developers and designers no longer need to spend countless hours hand-coding and testing intricate stylesheets to implement single source publishing and database reporting solutions.

Writing even the simplest transformation stylesheets manually is a difficult, time-consuming process. It requires an understanding of XSL elements, the XPath language, and complicated rules-based document processing models. StyleVision 2008 abstracts away the tricky underlying syntax, allowing you to compose stylesheets using a visual design interface, which is easier to learn, takes considerably less time, reduces the occurrence of errors, and lets you focus on the creativity of your design. The designs you create in StyleVision can be based on any DTD, XML Schema, or relational database, and multiple sources are supported. For instance, you can create one design that includes data from both XML and database sources.

The unified design approach promoted by StyleVision allows you to implement true single source publishing, since one easy-to-create design simultaneously produces HTML, Word/RTF, PDF, and electronic form output. When your source data changes, the HTML, Word/RTF, and PDF output can be updated simultaneously with the click of a button.

Applying eye-catching styles and advanced functionality to your designs is easy with StyleVision's drag-and-drop design process and intelligent entry-helpers. To create a design, you simply drag elements from your data source(s) onto the design pane, and StyleVision 2008 prompts you with options for rendering the content. You can insert static content, such as headers, images, etc., directly into your design, then insert elements from XML and database sources that will be rendered dynamically based on the source data.You can even re-use portions of existing design files when creating new designs. To help you apply layout and style information to the content in your design, StyleVision includes advanced entry-helper windows and dialog boxes for viewing and editing source elements and styles. Design styles can be applied using drag-and-drop functionality or by editing properties directly in the entry-helpers.

For HTML Web page design, StyleVision supports all the elements found on today's advanced Web pages, including hyperlinks, CSS (cascading stylesheets), JavaScript functions, and more. It even includes a JavaScript editor for defining functions that add dynamic, event-based functionality to your HTML pages.

StyleVision allows you to apply CSS styles on a local or global basis using drop-down menus and dialog boxes, and you can also import an external CSS stylesheet to apply previously created rules to your StyleVision design. CSS styles are applied to your HTML output, and most translate to Word/RTF and PDF output as well.

The table of contents capability, complete with its TOC wizard and context-sensitive right click menu, makes StyleVision even more attractive for single source, multi-channel publishing. This is especially true for publishing large documents, which may have source content in XML or databases and require tables of contents when output to HTML, Word, and/or PDF.

In addition to defining advanced style and layout conditions, StyleVision allows you to design stylesheets and Authentic forms that support advanced functions such as complex table handling, rich input formatting, business logic validation, date control, and more. All these features, combined with the ease of visual, drag-anddrop design, make StyleVision an invaluable tool for Web developers and others who need to publish XML and database content in online and print media.

Because StyleVision 2008 allows you to base your design on a relational database (in addition to a DTD or XML Schema), it's easy to design database reports with output to HTML, Word/RTF, and PDF. A new Database Query window allows you to easily connect to and query databases from within the application.What's more, StyleVision 2008 works directly with XML data stored inside IBM DB2 9 databases. Users simply associate database XML fields with XML Schemas, then drag elements onto the design pane for rendering and publishing.

Based on your visual design, StyleVision 2008 auto-generates multiple transformation stylesheets to convert your XML and database data to HTML, Word/RTF, and PDF. StyleVision supports XSLT 1.0 and XSL:FO, as well as the powerful XSLT 2.0 stylesheet specification. XSLT 2.0 support is XML Schema-aware, providing additional mechanisms for error isolation and enhanced code performance. Based on your choice of XSLT 1.0 or 2.0, StyleVision auto-generates the XSLT code and XPath 1.0 or 2.0 selectors required to build your stylesheets. This automated design approach speeds stylesheet creation and all but negates the occurrence of errors.

At any time during the design process, you can view and save the XSLT and XSL:FO stylesheets that are built behind the scenes based on your design. Since they are standards-based, you can use these stylesheets in other applications as needed.

To leverage existing Web content, StyleVision 2008 includes a handy HTML importer for converting HTML to XML. Using simple drag-and-drop functionality, you can quickly convert an HTML page to an XML Schema, XSLT 1.0 or 2.0 stylesheet, and XML instance document. This feature adds extensibility to your current HTML content, which can now be used in XML-based applications and output in Word/RTF, PDF, and Altova Authentic form formats.

In addition to rendering attractive HTML, Word/RTF, and PDF output, each design you create in StyleVision 2008 can also produce an Authentic form for use with Altova Authentic 2008. Authentic is a free XML and database content editor that allows non-technical business users to access and edit content in XML documents and relational databases without being exposed to the underlying technology. They simply fill in electronic forms created in StyleVision, and the source XML documents or databases are automatically accessed and updated behind the scenes.

Because your design also simultaneously produces XSLT and XSL:FO stylesheets along with the Authentic form, you can output the data entered through the form directly to HTML, Word/RTF, and PDF without having to design additional stylesheets. More about Authentic 2008 is included on the following page.

Altova Authentic 2008 offers an innovative approach to XML and database content editing that completely shields the end user from the underlying technology. Authentic presents non-technical business users with electronic forms that allow them to view and enter valid XML or database data using intuitive, WYSIWYG forms. These electronic Authentic forms are created by designers using Altova StyleVision 2008.

Authentic forms can be based on any DTD, XML Schema, or relational database. And, since Authentic is offered under a free license, you can distribute the Authentic forms interface to as many end users as required free of charge.

Authentic 2008 is available as a FREE download in Desktop and Browser Editions. The Desktop Edition is an independently managed client application, while the Browser Edition provides similar viewing and editing capabilities in a lightweight plug-in component that runs inside the Internet Explorer browser.

In addition to supporting Authentic forms created with StyleVision 2008, Authentic 2008 includes built-in templates for saving data according to industry XML standards such as DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture), DocBook, NITF (News Industry Text Format), NewsML (News Markup Language), and many others. Using the Authentic templates, non-technical users can quickly edit and save data that is valid according to these widely-used schemas.

Authentic 2008 is available in free Desktop and Browser Editions in both English and German language versions. It is supported on Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. You may download a free copy of Authentic at www.altova.com/download.