All very valid statements for the chm.

I Was looking for something to put on the iPad to read while offline and away from the desk. I Also realize with updates expected to occurs more frequently, it may be easier to maintain the online help as opposed to updating a PDF manual every year.

The PDF has an index that is hyperlinked. The help file is geared toward context sensitivity. The PDF is a proper manual with each section and chapter having its own logic. The help file is a bunch of independent references. The PDF can be read from beginning to end. The help file has no beginning or end.
 
The PDF is printable the help file is not so easy to print out and use as a manual. The PDF can be read on an android device the help file is Windows only.   

A lot of folks prefer the PDF.  I like the training materials in a notebook and use the .chm for updates.

John
The PDF has an index that is hyperlinked. The help file is geared toward context sensitivity.

The help file has an Index tab which is hyperlinked to the rest of the file.

John
The PDF is a proper manual with each section and chapter having its own logic. The help file is a bunch of independent references. The PDF can be read from beginning to end. The help file has no beginning or end.

It would appear the layout of the two documents are the same. Here is TOC and first page of the CHM. Also notice the navigation arrows at the top of the page. Those can step through the CHM one page at a time from the first to the last page.

John
The PDF is printable the help file is not so easy to print out and use as a manual. The PDF can be read on an android device the help file is Windows only.   

I have not printed either and do not have an android device. I did search Google for printing CHM and CHM readers for android. There do seem to be solutions for both.
 
None of this is to be taken as favoring one format over another. They both have their champions. They both contain the same data in the same layout.

Only expressing an opinion as I mentioned. We don't have a PDF option at the moment. I was making a case for the use of the help file for folks who were keen on getting help on particular features now. Like all these things it will be released when Cakewalk release it. At this time that is an unknown. In the meantime I suggest not minimising the value of the help file which is what we have at this time. It's the same information in the same format with the advantage that the online help file is updated as new features are added

Just a thought, for a quick conversion just search online for "Convert chm file to pdf" and you'll find many online services/programs.
Fred

Yeah, saw conversion utilities too when searching for print and android solutions.

Is Cakewalk getting any closer to releasing a PDF of the Platinum reference manual? I also run offline and it would be a big help for the new features in Platinum. There is no CHM help file in my Platinum folder. I just have the X3 file.

If the CHM file is not in "C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\SONAR Platinum" folder, try installing the "SONAR Help and Tutorials" package.

scook
If the CHM file is not in "C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\SONAR Platinum" folder, try installing the "SONAR Help and Tutorials" package.

^^^^
 
That's exactly what I've done since my DAW is typically offline.   There's also an option in Preferences to use the offline version.