The first pipeline in the process prepares the source documents to be transformed by XSL. ePublisher uses XSL to transform documents to output formats. ePublisher also provides extensions to XSL to support image processing and other source document operations that otherwise would require additional technologies, such as FrameScript or VBA. ePublisher requires native access to source documents, a standard starting point to start XSL transformation, and a standard method for coordinating XSL transforms on files. This first pipeline applies conditions and variables, extracts native drawings and images, and exports the source documents to the WebWorks Intermediate Format (WIF), a WebWorks XML language that enables XSL to process the source documents in later stages.

When XSL processing begins, ePublisher processes files based on type rather than by name. Each stage defines an .xsl file that creates a portion of the output target. When every stage in every pipeline is finished, the transformation process is complete.

Using the transformation to WIF gives you the ultimate flexibility with multiple input and output format support. Each input format, such as Microsoft Word and Adobe FrameMaker, can be transformed to any and all output formats, such as Microsoft HTML Help and WebWorks Help. As new output formats become available, all input formats are automatically supported. In addition, a new input format automatically supports all output formats.