MIF is a vector output format and the native graphics format of FrameMaker from Adobe. MIF (Maker Interchange Format) is a group of ASCII statements that create an easily parsed, readable text file of all the text, graphics, formatting, and layout constructs in a document. It allows FrameMaker and other applications to exchange information while preserving graphics, document content, and format.
As FrameMaker evolves to become HTML5 compliant, SVG is taking on a role of increasing importance while MIF becomes less important. Already, Framemaker allows users to import SVG graphics and automatically rasterize them at a specified resolution. When generating HTML, XML and SGML files, the raster version can be output or the original SVG can be passed through which streamlines the process of publishing text and SVG-based vector graphics directly to the Web. This also facilitates the use of complex diagrams and interactivity.
If you need to provide graphics to someone using FrameMaker from Adobe or you are using it yourself, MIF is an important format. MIF stands for “Maker Interchange Format”. It’s an exchange format used extensively in the past in technical documentation groups. It’s sun is fading now as SVG begins to rise in importance at Adobe and in the world-wide web in general as the standard vector format of HTML5.
Native FrameMaker Format
Typically, MIF graphics are found in technical manuals, structured documents, book building. It was designed to enable the exchange of FrameMaker files across software versions and hardware platforms. As SVG becomes more woven into Adobe products as the go-to vector format, MIF is becoming more of a legacy format. Still, as an interchange format, the MIF format enables engineers and technical writers to:
- Fully edit drawing objects and text in FrameMaker
- View them in sharp, scalable vector quality on screen
- Print them in vector quality to non-PostScript printers
- Scroll through documents faster
Support Notes:
Output can be defined for placement as anchored frame or for insertion as standard or custom page size
- Reassemble pages together in book
- Supports vector graphics, raster images, text and fonts
- Understands and converts curves
- The file size of the FrameMaker document with imported MIF file shrinks when saved in binary .fm format.