Frequently Asked Questions

Interleaf QuickSilver

How To Create an IDU File?

For the IDU filter to work when you type the command, you must have updated your search path, using an editor of your choice, so that it includes (Windows) the qsilver.ileaf i386 bin directory.
(UNIX) the QSILVER_HOME/bin directory, as recommended in the QuickSilver Installation Guide.

To create an IDU file:

  • At an operating system prompt on the workstation containing the files you want to include in the IDU file, change directories to the directory containing the files.
    ...OR...
    Do not change directories. In this case, you must specify the directory containing the files using the -w switch when you complete the next step.
  • Type the IDU command with the -c switch.
    idu -[optionswitches]c[-f iduname] inputname(s)
    The iduname variable is the name you want to assign to the IDU file (assuming you use the -f option). Use the input filenames as they appear in operating system directory listings (with the extension), rather than as they appear as the icon Name.
    The brackets indicate optional parts of the command.
    Do not type them.

    For example, to create an IDU file out of a folder named work on your desktop, you type: idu -c work.ilfdr . You might see error messages. When the prompt reappears, the procedure is complete. An external file icon appears on your desktop or in your working directory.
    If you did not use the -f switch to specify another name, the file is called default.idu.
  • Save the text file.
  • When you run the command, use the -n switch and provide the filename as an argument.
    If the text file is not in the directory from which you plan to run IDU, you must specify the pathname along with the filename.


To Create a File for Use with the -n Switch
To convert several documents, place the filenames into a file that is read by IDU when specified with the -n switch, enabling you to correct mistakes easily as you enter the filenames.
Placing filenames in a file also saves time if you routinely convert the same files. Once the filenames are in the file, you can use the -n switch to specify the file instead of typing in the filenames each time you use IDU to convert them.

  • Create a text file using an ASCII editor of your choice (DOS Editor, for example).
  • Type in the names of the input files for IDU.
    Place only one filename on a line and end each line with a hard return.
  • Save the text file.
  • When you run the command, use the -n switch and provide the filename as an argument.
    If the text file is not in the directory from which you plan to run IDU, you must specify the pathname along with the filename.

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