Tramigo Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find answers to questions that are commonly
asked about Avral™ Tramigo™ software. This FAQ has the following sections:
What is Tramigo?
Tramigo is a localization tool allowing you to translate text contained in Macromedia Flash SWF files. Depending on your approach (internal versus external translation) you can use Tramigo to generate a new foreign language version of the source SWF file or a text file with foreign text from which translations can be loaded at run-time.
What is the difference between internal and external translation?
The internal translation approach allows you to create a new (foreign language) version of a SWF file. The external translation approach allows you to create a text file from which translated text can be loaded at run-time. See below for additional explanations of the internal and external translation. (view diagram)
What kinds of SWF files can I translate with Tramigo?
Tramigo has been designed to process SWF files generated in Macromedia Flash MX. We expect that any SWF files conforming to this format (even those that are not generated in Flash MX) can be translated using Tramigo, provided text items in these files are implemented as dynamic text fields. Note that Tramigo does not support translation of SWF files generated in Flash 5 or earlier versions.
On what operating systems does Tramigo run?
Tramigo requires Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000.
Into what languages can translation be done with Tramigo?
Tramigo will allow you to translate text into any language supported by the Macromedia Flash player. We have tested Tramigo with a number of European languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Greek) and non-European languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic).
Can I reduce translation costs and time by reusing translations made previously?
Yes. Tramigo allows you to import translations from other projects including previously translated versions of the SWF file you are translating now.
Can I check the quality of the translation?
Yes. Tramigo has a validation feature that allows you to detect possible translation errors.
How do I know how many text items need to be translated and paid for?
You can use the "Statistics" tool which will tell you how many text items your project has and how many of these need translation.
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Is Tramigo a Unicode application?
Yes, Tramigo is Unicode compliant and uses Unicode internally.
What do I need to know about Unicode in order to use Tramigo?
Nothing. Tramigo hides all complexity associated with Unicode support from you.
How can I enter Unicode characters in Tramigo? I hear I need to use four digit hexadecimal codes or escape characters?
You don't need to worry about hexadecimal codes or escape characters when you are using Tramigo. You just enter text using your keyboard as in any other application (e.g. your word processor) regardless of the language and Tramigo takes care of all Unicode conversions.
Can I enter special characters that are not shown on my keyboard, for example trademark ™ or copyright © symbols?
Yes and, typically, very easily. This is is explained in the Tramigo documentation.
Can I enter non-English characters on a standard English computer?
Yes and, typically, very easily. For a European language (e.g. French or German or Russian or Greek) you need to activate an additional keyboard layout. For a Far Eastern language (Chinese or Japanese or Korean) you need to use an Input Method Editor. This is further explained in the Tramigo documentation.
Can I copy and paste text between Tramigo and non-Unicode applications?
Yes, you can copy and paste text between Tramigo and non-Unicode applications such as text editors. And of course, the same is true for Unicode applications, e.g. you can copy text from a Microsoft Word or Excel file and paste it into Tramigo.
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How do I need to prepare a source SWF file for translation?
If you intend to use the internal translation approach, you need to implement all text fields with translatable text as dynamic fields and make sure correct fonts are used. If you intend to use the external translation approach, do the same plus two more things: (1) modify your code with just one call to an ActionScript function loadVariables or the load method of a LoadVars object, and (2) make sure that each translatable text field has a unique variable name. Regardless of the approach you have chosen, you also need to add a language selector to your Flash application.
What do I need to know about fonts in order to use Tramigo?
If the translation will be done into Western European languages only (e.g. French, German, Spanish, Italian etc.) you may use both device fonts and embedded fonts. However if you are planning to translate into other languages (e.g. Greek, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean) you need to ensure that all text fields with translatable text are using non-embedded device fonts only.
How does internal translation work in a Flash application?
The internal translation approach allows you to create a new (foreign language) version of a SWF file (view diagram). For example, your application has a SWF file in English that needs to be translated into German. You can do the following:
- Create a German version of this SWF file using Tramigo.
- Add a language selector to your application allowing it to load the necessary SWF file (English or German) as required by the user.
In the end you will have two SWF files (one for each language). At run-time the following will happen:
- If the user selects English, the English SWF file will be loaded.
- If the user selects German, the German SWF file will be loaded.
How does external translation work in a Flash application?
The external translation approach allows you to create a text file from which translated text can be loaded at run-time (view diagram). For example, your application has a SWF file in English that needs to be translated into German. You can do the following:
- Change the source SWF file by adding a language selector and simple commands for loading a text file with German translations if the user selects German.
- Create the text file with German translations using Tramigo.
In the end you will have one SWF file (with the original English text) and one text file (with German translations). At run-time the following will happen:
- If the user selects German, the external file will be loaded and German text contained in this file will be used.
- If the user selects English, no external file will be loaded and the original English text contained in the SWF file will be used.
How should I choose between internal and external translation?
This depends on the nature of your Flash project. Note that this decision does not change how you work in Tramigo.
With the external translation approach supported by Tramigo, source text is stored in the source SWF file and translated text is stored in a text file. Why not extract the source text into a text file too and then translate this text file into other languages?
Our solution has the following advantages:
- It is easier and quicker for you as a Flash developer to make and test text changes if source text is stored in a Flash project rather than an external file.
- Because source text is contained in a SWF file, you have a guarantee that at least one language will be available at run-time. This makes your Flash application more robust.
- If the user selects the source language there is no need to load any external files. This improves performance of your application.
- You have fewer files to deal with. This makes development, testing and deployment easier and faster.
If I use the external translation approach, do I need to load a separate text file for each text field ?
No!!! You only need to load one text file for the whole SWF file. When Tramigo creates this text file for you, it will contain all translations for all text entities contained in dynamic fields of the SWF file (just make sure each of them has a name).
If I want to use a translator, what do I need to send him/her?
You need to create a translation project in Tramigo and send the project (just one file) to the translator. You may also need to provide the translator with a copy of the Tramigo software if the translator does not already have it.
Can I just send a SWF file to a translator who will translate it using Tramigo?
Yes. You can send the source SWF file to a translator who will use Tramigo to create a project, translate it into a foreign language and return the translated SWF or text file to you.
What if I don't want some text items to be translated?
You have two alternatives: (1) implement them as static text fields, or (2) mark them as read-only in the translation project.
What if I want the translations to be reviewed by a person other than the translator (for example, our sales office overseas)?
This is easy to do. After the translator has finished the work, each text item in the project will have the "Needs checking" status. You can then send the project file to a reviewer who will approve translations by changing status to "Finished" or suggest changes in "Notes to/from translator" boxes.
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What is a SWF file?
SWF format is used by Macromedia Flash to combine text, graphics, video, animation and sound. It is the de-facto standard for vector graphics and multimedia on the Web. SWF files can be generated in Macromedia products and in many other commercial and open source products.
How can I ask the Flash designer about the text items I don't quite understand?
You can enter your questions in the Notes field and send the project to the designer.
How will I know if some text items should be left in the source language?
The Flash designer will mark them read-only.
Do you have a money-back period?
Yes, you will get a 30 day money-back guarantee when you buy a full license.
What is your upgrade policy?
Upgrades to Tramigo are free for one year following the registration (purchase) date. After that, upgrade licenses can be obtained at a 25% discount (of course, new users will neeed to pay the full price of the product's new version). Note that the 25% discount will apply to all other Avral products too.
I want to buy more than one license, do you provide volume discounts?
Yes. We offer a discounted 5-user license. If you need more licenses, please send an email to sales@avral.com and let us know how many licenses you wish to purchase. We also support site licensing.
Can I install Tramigo on my desktop PC and my laptop computer if I have a single-user license?
Yes. A full single-user Tramigo license allows the software to be installed on both a PC and a laptop as long as both machines are used by the same person.
I need to re-install Tramigo and do not remember my serial number. Can you let me know what it was?
You need to send an email to support@avral.com and let us know your name, address, your "name on card" for the credit card you used to buy the license, and your email address that you entered in the Tramigo payment form. This information will allow us to establish your other registration details and we will then send the serial number to you.
May I transfer the license to somebody else?
Yes, provided you let us know full contact details of this other organization or individual. You may not let this other organization or individual know the user name(s) and serial number(s) received from us. We will issue new user name(s) and serial number(s) to them at no extra charge. You must also un-install Tramigo from the computer(s) where you had previously installed it.
May I distribute Tramigo to my friends?
Yes. You may freely distribute it provided you distribute a complete and unaltered copy of the installation set. Once again, you may not share the user name and serial number received from Avral with anybody.
How secure is the payment process?
Payments are collected for us by our business partner ShareIt - a well-known company specializing in secure online credit card payments. For security and privacy purposes, this company uses a secure Internet connection to their own secure servers.
How is my privacy protected?
We and our suppliers are using the latest technologies and processes intended to protect your privacy and security of the information you share with us. Please see our Privacy policy for full details.
Will you know my credit card number?
No.
Are credit card companies protecting online shoppers?
Yes. All major credit card companies (e.g. MasterCard, VISA, American Express) have comprehensive consumer protection plans for online shoppers.
Any other questions?
If yes, email us!
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