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Subject:Re: help with translating graphics From:"Hutchings, Christa" <cwhutchings -at- HOMEWIRELESS -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 14 May 1998 11:03:51 -0400
I would like to receive any responses to this also.
Chris Welch-Hutchings
Sr. Technical Writer
Home Wireless Networks, Inc.
Norcross GA (USA)
cwhutchings -at- homewireless -dot- com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alva Ware-Bevacqui [SMTP:awarebevacqui -at- SHIVA -dot- COM]
> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 1998 10:39 AM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: help with translating graphics
>
> Hi techwrlers!
>
> I'm in the process of updating my company's graphic standards, which
> outlines how graphics are handled in our documentation. Because we
> must
> translate all of our graphics into several languages (including
> European
> and Asian languages), we have a blanket rule that no text can appear
> in the
> graphic itself, because translating text in graphics is more expensive
> for
> us; instead the text appears in MS Word (as do the documents
> themselves).
> This method is less expensive because our translating agency only
> needs one
> tool, namely MS Word.
>
> Our graphics consist of mostly network diagrams; we are now also
> adding
> flowcharts. We use mainly Visio for network diagrams and flowcharts
> and
> Adobe Illustrator for complicated graphics. The problem I have is
> deciding
> how to handle callouts and labels. Right now, all callouts are
> numbered in
> the graphic using Visio or Illustrator. So, instead of a typing word
> in
> Visio to describe something, I use a number. Then, in Word, I add a
> legend
> outside of the graphic that describes what the number means. This
> works for
> some diagrams, but not very well for complicated ones, and flowcharts
> lose
> their meaning altogether if I number each shape and include a legend
> somewhere after the graphic.
>
> I realize the best alternative is to pay for the translation of the
> graphics (that would include resizing graphics for languages with
> longer
> words, such as German). Does anyone out there have any suggestions on
> other
> alternatives? Please respond to me directly as I am on digest. I will
> post
> results to the list.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Alva Ware-Bevacqui
> Technical Editor
> Shiva Corporation
>
> &^~~~
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