language specific screen shots in Framemaker
Hi Verner This is how I do it: 1. Simple directory structure: one language folder for the FM files (en, de, fr, es, it...) and each language folder has subfolder which has the same name (_graphics or _repository). 2. The graphics folder does not have subfolders. 3. All the graphics have the same name in every language, so it's just a matter of putting the localized screen shot in the correct language folder. They will be replaced automatically in FM. 4. If possible, use the same size for the dialog boxes in all languages. This can be a challenge for the developers: they have to design their English UI "with localization and text expansion" in mind. Or, if your screen shot software (SnagIt, Hypersnap, ...) supports it, just take a screen shot of the relevant "region" or "section" of a dialog box. This makes your documentation less "update-prone". If something else changes in the rest of the dialog box, for example buttons are moved, you don't have to update the screen shot of that region. 5. Use screen shots only if they are absolutely necessary to understand the content. I use a minimalist approach here and try to avoid screen shots as much as possible. For example, if a dialog box appears as a logical result of the action described in a step, I don't insert a screen shot, and I don't describe the result of the action. So I *don't* do this: Choose File > Print. The Print Document dialog box appears. [screen shot of the dialog box]. I don't write the stepresult and I don't include a screen shot in the above example. I only use screen shots if there is potential ambiguity. Doing so, I was able to reduce the number of screen shots of some manuals from 200 (on average) to 10. I didn't get any complaints from users or reviewers, but I was very happy during review meetings when the developers told me that they had changed 37 (or so) dialog boxes. The documentation manager was happy too, because he didn't have to spend thousands or euros on 4 people doing nothing but taking localized screen shots in 5 languages for 3 software products. 6. Try to use line-art graphics instead of screen shots. Line-art graphics are easier to change and they can be made language-independent by showing less detail. You can find some example of this in the webhelp of Enfocus Instant PDF: go to the URL below, and search for the topic "Viewing jobs" (without the quotes). http://www.certifiedpdf.net/livehelp/ST41/enUS/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm Cheers -- Yves Barbion ? Managing Director Scripto ? Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor www.scripto.nu ? skype: yves.barbion ? T: +32 494 12 01 89 On Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 10:13 AM, Andersen, Verner Engell VEA < verner.andersen at radiometer.dk> wrote: > Have any of you succeded in creating a scenario where language specific > screen shots do not need to be reimported or rescaled in Framemaker. > > I am thinking of directory structure for each language, screen > resolutions, dpi etc. > > The idea is that the English files and screen shots are sent to the > translator. The translator replaces the English screen shots with the > language-specific ones. > > If you have a scenario for this I am very interested. Often when I > replace a screen shot it is totally distorted in Framemaker and needs to > be re-imported and re-scaled. > > Med venlig hilsen - Best regards > Verner Andersen > Technical Writer > > Radiometer Medical ApS > Phone +45 3827 3612 > Fax +45 3827 2727 > verner.andersen at radiometer.dk > > > > > Radiometer Medical ApS > Akandevej 21 > 2700 Bronshoj > Denmark > Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 > CVR: 27 50 91 85 > > > > This message (including any attachments) contains confidential > and/or proprietary information intended only for the addressee. > Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or reliance on > the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may > constitute a violation of law. If you are not the intended > recipient, please notify the sender immediately by responding to > this e-mail, and delete the message from your system. If you > have any questions about this e-mail please notify the sender > immediately. > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as yves.barbion at gmail.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/yves.barbion%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. >
Re: language specific screen shots in Framemaker
Hi Verner This is how I do it: 1. Simple directory structure: one language folder for the FM files (en, de, fr, es, it...) and each language folder has subfolder which has the same name (_graphics or _repository). 2. The graphics folder does not have subfolders. 3. All the graphics have the same name in every language, so it's just a matter of putting the localized screen shot in the correct language folder. They will be replaced automatically in FM. 4. If possible, use the same size for the dialog boxes in all languages. This can be a challenge for the developers: they have to design their English UI "with localization and text expansion" in mind. Or, if your screen shot software (SnagIt, Hypersnap, ...) supports it, just take a screen shot of the relevant "region" or "section" of a dialog box. This makes your documentation less "update-prone". If something else changes in the rest of the dialog box, for example buttons are moved, you don't have to update the screen shot of that region. 5. Use screen shots only if they are absolutely necessary to understand the content. I use a minimalist approach here and try to avoid screen shots as much as possible. For example, if a dialog box appears as a logical result of the action described in a step, I don't insert a screen shot, and I don't describe the result of the action. So I *don't* do this: Choose File > Print. The Print Document dialog box appears. [screen shot of the dialog box]. I don't write the stepresult and I don't include a screen shot in the above example. I only use screen shots if there is potential ambiguity. Doing so, I was able to reduce the number of screen shots of some manuals from 200 (on average) to 10. I didn't get any complaints from users or reviewers, but I was very happy during review meetings when the developers told me that they had changed 37 (or so) dialog boxes. The documentation manager was happy too, because he didn't have to spend thousands or euros on 4 people doing nothing but taking localized screen shots in 5 languages for 3 software products. 6. Try to use line-art graphics instead of screen shots. Line-art graphics are easier to change and they can be made language-independent by showing less detail. You can find some example of this in the webhelp of Enfocus Instant PDF: go to the URL below, and search for the topic "Viewing jobs" (without the quotes). http://www.certifiedpdf.net/livehelp/ST41/enUS/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm Cheers -- Yves Barbion • Managing Director Scripto • Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor www.scripto.nu • skype: yves.barbion • T: +32 494 12 01 89 On Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 10:13 AM, Andersen, Verner Engell VEA < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Have any of you succeded in creating a scenario where language specific > screen shots do not need to be reimported or rescaled in Framemaker. > > I am thinking of directory structure for each language, screen > resolutions, dpi etc. > > The idea is that the English files and screen shots are sent to the > translator. The translator replaces the English screen shots with the > language-specific ones. > > If you have a scenario for this I am very interested. Often when I > replace a screen shot it is totally distorted in Framemaker and needs to > be re-imported and re-scaled. > > Med venlig hilsen - Best regards > Verner Andersen > Technical Writer > > Radiometer Medical ApS > Phone +45 3827 3612 > Fax +45 3827 2727 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > Radiometer Medical ApS > Akandevej 21 > 2700 Bronshoj > Denmark > Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 > CVR: 27 50 91 85 > > > > This message (including any attachments) contains confidential > and/or proprietary information intended only for the addressee. > Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or reliance on > the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may > constitute a violation of law. If you are not the intended > recipient, please notify the sender immediately by responding to > this e-mail, and delete the message from your system. If you > have any questions about this e-mail please notify the sender > immediately. > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/yves.barbion%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit htt
language specific screen shots in Framemaker
Verner Andersen wrote: > Have any of you succeded in creating a scenario where language specific > screen shots do not need to be reimported or rescaled in Framemaker. Yes, I have. I've got a folder containing screenshots, and when I need to produce a translated manual, all I have to do is copy the translated screenshots into that folder, overwriting the originals. I've never had to resize or reimport the screenshots. You've got to make sure the translated screenshots are the same size as the original, though. Check the resolution and font size settings for the computer before you start grabbing screenshots. Harro de Jong
language specific screen shots in Framemaker
Hi Verner, what do you really mean by "screen shots are sent to the translator"? As a (English into French) translator, I have never had to translate any screen shot strictly speaking. I usually translate software strings that developers then integrate into the (in my case, French version of) the soft. Then I capture screenshots in the right language to place them in my doc. In your case it would be too time-consuming of course, you would not want to capture 1000 screenshots x 6 languages... However, if the translators translate straight into Photoshop or Illustrator, maybe they do not set the image settings as you do (in terms of dpi, size, format, etc.), which may cause problems. Mathieu. > Subject: language specific screen shots in Framemaker > Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 10:13:33 +0200 > From: verner.andersen at radiometer.dk > To: framers at lists.frameusers.com > > Have any of you succeded in creating a scenario where language specific > screen shots do not need to be reimported or rescaled in Framemaker. > > I am thinking of directory structure for each language, screen > resolutions, dpi etc. > > The idea is that the English files and screen shots are sent to the > translator. The translator replaces the English screen shots with the > language-specific ones. > > If you have a scenario for this I am very interested. Often when I > replace a screen shot it is totally distorted in Framemaker and needs to > be re-imported and re-scaled. > > Med venlig hilsen - Best regards > Verner Andersen > Technical Writer > > Radiometer Medical ApS > Phone +45 3827 3612 > Fax +45 3827 2727 > verner.andersen at radiometer.dk > > > > > Radiometer Medical ApS > Akandevej 21 > 2700 Bronshoj > Denmark > Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 > CVR: 27 50 91 85 > > > > This message (including any attachments) contains confidential > and/or proprietary information intended only for the addressee. > Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or reliance on > the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may > constitute a violation of law. If you are not the intended > recipient, please notify the sender immediately by responding to > this e-mail, and delete the message from your system. If you > have any questions about this e-mail please notify the sender > immediately. > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as bobitch at hotmail.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/bobitch%40hotmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. _ Votre contact a choisi Hotmail, l'e-mail nouvelle g?n?ration. Cr?ez un compte. http://www.windowslive.fr/hotmail/default.asp
language specific screen shots in Framemaker
Have any of you succeded in creating a scenario where language specific screen shots do not need to be reimported or rescaled in Framemaker. I am thinking of directory structure for each language, screen resolutions, dpi etc. The idea is that the English files and screen shots are sent to the translator. The translator replaces the English screen shots with the language-specific ones. If you have a scenario for this I am very interested. Often when I replace a screen shot it is totally distorted in Framemaker and needs to be re-imported and re-scaled. Med venlig hilsen - Best regards Verner Andersen Technical Writer Radiometer Medical ApS Phone +45 3827 3612 Fax +45 3827 2727 verner.andersen at radiometer.dk Radiometer Medical ApS Akandevej 21 2700 Bronshoj Denmark Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 CVR: 27 50 91 85 This message (including any attachments) contains confidential and/or proprietary information intended only for the addressee. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may constitute a violation of law. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by responding to this e-mail, and delete the message from your system. If you have any questions about this e-mail please notify the sender immediately.
RE: language specific screen shots in Framemaker
Hi Verner, what do you really mean by "screen shots are sent to the translator"? As a (English into French) translator, I have never had to translate any screen shot strictly speaking. I usually translate software strings that developers then integrate into the (in my case, French version of) the soft. Then I capture screenshots in the right language to place them in my doc. In your case it would be too time-consuming of course, you would not want to capture 1000 screenshots x 6 languages... However, if the translators translate straight into Photoshop or Illustrator, maybe they do not set the image settings as you do (in terms of dpi, size, format, etc.), which may cause problems. Mathieu. > Subject: language specific screen shots in Framemaker > Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2008 10:13:33 +0200 > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To: framers@lists.frameusers.com > > Have any of you succeded in creating a scenario where language specific > screen shots do not need to be reimported or rescaled in Framemaker. > > I am thinking of directory structure for each language, screen > resolutions, dpi etc. > > The idea is that the English files and screen shots are sent to the > translator. The translator replaces the English screen shots with the > language-specific ones. > > If you have a scenario for this I am very interested. Often when I > replace a screen shot it is totally distorted in Framemaker and needs to > be re-imported and re-scaled. > > Med venlig hilsen - Best regards > Verner Andersen > Technical Writer > > Radiometer Medical ApS > Phone +45 3827 3612 > Fax +45 3827 2727 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > Radiometer Medical ApS > Akandevej 21 > 2700 Bronshoj > Denmark > Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 > CVR: 27 50 91 85 > > > > This message (including any attachments) contains confidential > and/or proprietary information intended only for the addressee. > Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or reliance on > the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may > constitute a violation of law. If you are not the intended > recipient, please notify the sender immediately by responding to > this e-mail, and delete the message from your system. If you > have any questions about this e-mail please notify the sender > immediately. > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/bobitch%40hotmail.com > > Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. _ Votre contact a choisi Hotmail, l'e-mail nouvelle génération. Créez un compte. http://www.windowslive.fr/hotmail/default.asp ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: language specific screen shots in Framemaker
Verner Andersen wrote: > Have any of you succeded in creating a scenario where language specific > screen shots do not need to be reimported or rescaled in Framemaker. Yes, I have. I've got a folder containing screenshots, and when I need to produce a translated manual, all I have to do is copy the translated screenshots into that folder, overwriting the originals. I've never had to resize or reimport the screenshots. You've got to make sure the translated screenshots are the same size as the original, though. Check the resolution and font size settings for the computer before you start grabbing screenshots. Harro de Jong ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
language specific screen shots in Framemaker
Have any of you succeded in creating a scenario where language specific screen shots do not need to be reimported or rescaled in Framemaker. I am thinking of directory structure for each language, screen resolutions, dpi etc. The idea is that the English files and screen shots are sent to the translator. The translator replaces the English screen shots with the language-specific ones. If you have a scenario for this I am very interested. Often when I replace a screen shot it is totally distorted in Framemaker and needs to be re-imported and re-scaled. Med venlig hilsen - Best regards Verner Andersen Technical Writer Radiometer Medical ApS Phone +45 3827 3612 Fax +45 3827 2727 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Radiometer Medical ApS Akandevej 21 2700 Bronshoj Denmark Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 CVR: 27 50 91 85 This message (including any attachments) contains confidential and/or proprietary information intended only for the addressee. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may constitute a violation of law. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by responding to this e-mail, and delete the message from your system. If you have any questions about this e-mail please notify the sender immediately. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
