Design Science - MathFlow

Design Science has been playing a leadership role in the development of the MathML standard since its inception. They actively developing MathML-capable products and solutions for all phases of the publishing process.

Design Science MathFlow™ consists of several components which can be integrated into XML publishing workflows when math is involved. Currently, there are three MathFlow components:

• MathFlow Exchange -- imports Microsoft Word documents with equations (MathType and Microsoft Equation Editor equations), and converts them into XML+MathML documents.
• MathFlow Editor -- a WYSIWYG MathML editor for authoring and editing MathML equations.
• MathFlow Composer -- generates PDF and web output (HTML/XHTML+MathML).

XML+MathML WorkFlow

Based on our white paper , MathML Workflows in STM Publishing described below, this diagram illustrates how the different MathFlow components can be used in a publishing workflow when math is involved.

Partners

Design Science has partnered with the leading vendors of XML publishing solutions to integrate MathFlow with their products. Currently, there are three versions of MathFlow:

• MathFlow for Arbortext -- works with Arbortext's Epic and E3 products. MathFlow for Arbortext runs with Epic and E3 (version 4.3.1 and later).
• MathFlow for XMetaL -- works with Blast Radius ' XMetaL Author and XMAX (XMetaL for ActiveX). MathFlow for XMetaL runs with XMetaL Author and XMAX (version 4.5 and later).
• MathFlow for XPP -- works with XyEnterprise's XML Professional Publisher (version 7.3).

If you have Epic, XMetaL or XPP installed and want to try MathFlow, or if you have questions, please contact us .

White papers

Design Science, having worked with publishing professionals since 1987, has gained valuable insight into the challenges and solutions of integrating math with STM publishing. Below are some of the white papers we have authored to share with our customers.

• MathML Workflows in STM Publishing -- Most publishers are moving to XML-based production workflows. Since mathematical notation is one of the defining features of STM (Science/Technical/Medical) content, and because MathML is the XML standard for representing mathematics, MathML is expected to play an important role in STM workflows.  more>

• MathML Adds Value to STM Publishing -- Because MathML adds value to web content, we expect it to also play a major role in the delivery of STM (Science/Technical/Medical) content. Unlike GIF and JPEG equation images, MathML captures the meaning and structure of math, thereby enabling user interaction, accessibility, searching and computation.  more>

Import Documents Using MathFlow Exchange

MathFlow™ Exchange works with Arbortext's Interchange to import documents from Microsoft Word containing MathType and Equation Editor equations. Equations are converted to MathML while the surrounding document is converted into XML:

Edit MathML Using MathFlow Editor

MathFlow ™ Editor is a native MathML equation editor that works within popular XML Editors, such as Arbortext's Epic and E3 products, Blast Radius ' XMetaL Author and XMAX, and XyEnterprise's XML Professional Publisher (XPP).

MathFlow Editor's user interface is similar to how Design Science's MathType and Equation Editor products work with Microsoft Word — the operator double-clicks on an equation in an XML document and it automatically opens in the MathFlow Editor window. To compose a new equation, a click on the MathFlow Editor button in XML Editor's toolbar opens a new equation window. Equations appear in typeset form within the XML Editor and are saved as MathML within the XML document.

Generate Output Documents Using MathFlow Composer

MathFlow™ Composer works together with Epic Composer to generate output documents. The following composition options are included in MathFlow Composer:

• Draft PDF Composition: generates a PNG image for each equation, to be included in the PDF file.
• High Quality PDF Composition: generates postscript code for each equation (this feature is available only on Windows.)
• HTML Composition: saves an HTML or XHTML version of the document that can be viewed with a web browser.

click here to see an example