What does MDF do?

The MDF (Markup Definition File) is used by LpStudio/Pro and Sigtuna DAR. These programs take the XHTML Source document as input, and using the rules described in the MDF file they generate the NCC, Content document and SMIL files (= the DTB fileset) from this source document.

Note: "Content document" is the XHTML file in the DTB fileset that contains the full text. It is not the same as the "Source document", which is the full text document in the version prior to import into the production tool.

LpStudio/Pro and Sigtuna DAR each come with a default MDF file ("default.mdf") that can be used to generate the DTB fileset. It is also possible, and sometimes necessary, to create a new MDF file for a specific book. The details of this process are given below.

Note that that the MDF process is not a part of the DAISY standard itself; it is just a method used by the two production tools LpStudio/Pro and Sigtuna DAR. Another production tool may use a completely different method to generate the DTB fileset from a source document.
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Markus Gylling
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