Dr.Explain

Name: Dr.Explain — Download free. Help Authoring tool
Price: 290.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)
Author: Indigo Byte Systems, LLC

Dr.Explain — Free Download. Help Authoring tool

Dr.Explain is a documentation development tool that captures application screens and web pages and transforms them into structured help systems with automatic annotation of interface elements. The program analyzes the structure of windows, generates numbered callouts for controls and elements, and produces draft documentation that requires only text descriptions to be added. After processing, the project can be saved in HTML, CHM, DOC, or PDF format. The tool includes templates for user guides, cloud collaboration, visual style customization for online manuals, adaptive web formats for mobile devices, and visual status tracking for documentation progress.

★★★★★

5.0(1 ratings)

Download Dr.Explain (Official links)

File size: 263 MB

The latest version of Dr.Explain is: 7.2.1394

Operating system: Windows

Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French

Developer: Indigo Byte Systems, LLC

Price: $290.00 USD (Commercial product (290 USD / Year))

Multi-format documentation export. The program creates documentation in several target formats from a single source project. Export options include HTML for web publishing, CHM for integration into desktop software, PDF for printing and offline distribution, and DOCX for editing and sharing. Each format preserves the structure, navigation, and formatting of the original project. The export process does not require additional converters or external utilities, and all formats can be generated without reworking the source content.
Online manual creation. Web-based help is generated as a complete website with built-in navigation and search. The resulting online manual can be published on a company server or website, allowing users to access documentation before downloading the software. The generated web help includes a table of contents, keyword index, search function, and adaptive layout for mobile devices. No coding or server-side configuration is required to deploy the manual.
Printable PDF and DOCX documentation. The program produces printable versions of user guides and manuals in PDF and DOCX formats. These files can be distributed by email, printed on paper, or stored for offline use. The exported documents retain the hierarchical structure of topics, embedded images, tables, and cross-references. Users receive documentation that remains accessible without an internet connection or installed software.
CHM help file creation. Compiled HTML help files are generated as single compressed archives containing all documentation pages. CHM files support a table of contents, index, full-text search, and hyperlinks between topics. The format is designed for integration into desktop applications, providing context-sensitive help without launching a separate viewer. CHM files can be transferred between computers and opened without additional software.
Automatic screenshot annotation. The built-in capture tool analyzes the structure of application windows or web pages and generates numbered callouts for interface controls. The system identifies buttons, fields, menus, and other elements automatically. After capture, the annotation designer allows repositioning arrows, adjusting highlight frames, and modifying callouts. The process eliminates manual marking of interface elements and reduces the time required to document user interfaces.
Screenshot editor. A dedicated editor provides tools for refining captured images. Functions include cropping, zooming, adding text labels, drawing shapes, and applying styling to annotations. The editor supports multiple callout styles and allows organizing labels for clarity. Users can edit automatically generated annotations or create new ones. The editor works with both desktop application screenshots and web page captures.
Content management and rich text editing. The editor supports formatting with various fonts and styles, insertion of annotated images, video, tables, numbered and bulleted lists, hyperlinks, variables, and special objects. A built-in spell checker with multi-language dictionaries identifies typographical and punctuation errors. Content can be structured into topics and subtopics with hierarchical relationships. The editing environment handles large projects with numerous sections and cross-references.
AI assistant. The integrated AI assistant generates text, translates content, and proofreads documentation within the program. It operates without switching between windows or using external services. The assistant can produce draft descriptions for topics, suggest improvements, and check consistency. This feature accelerates the creation of user documentation by automating routine text generation and verification tasks.
Variables for text automation. Text variables store reusable content that appears across multiple pages. When a variable is updated, the change applies to every location where it is used. This eliminates manual copying and pasting of repetitive information such as contact details, product names, or version numbers. Variables support automation of routine editing tasks and maintain consistency throughout the documentation project.
Import of existing documentation. The program imports documentation from CHM, HLP, HTML, XML, DOC, DOCX, and TXT files while preserving structure, navigation, and formatting. Project settings can also be transferred during import. This feature allows migration from other help authoring tools or from manually maintained documents. Imported content becomes part of the project and can be edited with all available tools.
Project structure management. Users create, delete, move, and lock topics within the project tree. The structure supports hierarchical organization with unlimited nesting levels. Topics can be locked to prevent accidental edits by team members. Visual status indicators display the progress of each section. Keyword indexes simplify navigation by linking terms and phrases to specific documentation pages.
Topic statuses. Each topic can be assigned a status that appears as a color-coded indicator in the project tree. Statuses track documentation progress and identify completed, in-progress, and pending sections. The color coding provides a visual overview of the project state. This feature supports planning and prioritization of work across large documentation sets.
Context-sensitive help integration. The program assigns unique Help Context IDs and text aliases to documentation topics. It generates map files in .h, .vb, and .inc formats for integration into source code. When users interact with interface elements in the application, the corresponding help topic opens. Automatic assignment of Help IDs is available for projects that lack these identifiers.
Visual style customization. Pre-built templates and custom CSS control the appearance of online manuals. Users adjust color schemes, fonts, and layouts to match corporate branding or product website design. The templates provide ready-made themes, while CSS allows detailed customization of every element. The resulting help system maintains a consistent visual identity with the main product.
Interactivity of online manuals. The generated web help functions as a complete web application with navigation between tabs, content browsing, and search. All interactive features operate without additional coding. The manual includes a responsive layout that adapts to different screen sizes. Users access information through a standard browser interface.
Collaboration tools. Multiple authors work on a single project simultaneously through the Tiwri.com cloud service or a corporate server. The system locks topics during editing to prevent conflicts. Changes are saved to the server, and locks are released after editing is complete. This allows parallel work on different sections without interference.
Ready-made guide templates. Templates provide pre-built structures for user manuals, corporate knowledge bases, and web service guides. Each template includes headings, subheadings, sample text, and specialized elements such as text variables and formatted blocks. Templates are based on documentation best practices and can be adapted to specific projects. They reduce the time required to start a new documentation project.
Keyword index. Keywords and phrases are linked to specific documentation pages to create an indexed list. The index improves navigation in CHM files and online guides. Users locate information by selecting terms from the index. This feature supports fast retrieval of content in large documentation sets.
Topic locking. Individual topics can be locked with one click to prevent changes. Locked topics cannot be edited or deleted by team members. This safeguard protects finished sections from accidental modifications. Locking supports controlled workflows in collaborative projects.
Built-in spell checker. Dictionary-based spell checking identifies spelling and punctuation errors in documentation text. Multiple language dictionaries are available. The checker operates within the editor and flags errors as text is entered. This feature supports accuracy in technical writing.

Dr.Explain was created in 2005 by a team of developers who specialized in technical documentation and software development. The program was designed to address the need for automated documentation authoring, particularly for complex industrial and enterprise software. The development team focused on interface analysis and screen capture automation as the core technology. The software has been continuously maintained and updated since its initial release, with new features added regularly. The program is written primarily in C++ with components using other languages for specific functions.