There are no graphics in HTML tags | Jul 8, 2006 |
HTML code cannot contain graphics, only references to graphics files, such as .gif and .jpg files. If there's text in those that needs translating, someone needs to insert the translations into the graphics files - usually, the client has editable versions of the graphics files where the text can be replaced easily. You can either ask them to send those editable versions to you (but ONLY if you have the right software to edit them, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel... See more HTML code cannot contain graphics, only references to graphics files, such as .gif and .jpg files. If there's text in those that needs translating, someone needs to insert the translations into the graphics files - usually, the client has editable versions of the graphics files where the text can be replaced easily. You can either ask them to send those editable versions to you (but ONLY if you have the right software to edit them, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDraw! or whatever format they may be in AND the necessary experience!) Or you can send them a bilingual legend in tabular format containing the source text of the graphics on the left and the corresponding translation on the right. Armed with such a legend, the editable files and the necessary software, the client can exchange the text in his graphics and then generate translated .gif/.jpg files via a click of the mouse, replacing those in the site structure. If editable versions of the graphics are not available anywhere, this may mean tough luck: While .gif and .jpg files CAN be edited, they are pixel graphics, which means they're not made up of lines and boxes and circles and text etc., but by individual pixels only. Modifying the text in them requires pixel-by-pixel retouching work, which can be VERY tedious. You may get somewhat lucky if all the source text is in a regular font and type on a unicolored background with some free space around it, but if the text is curved, with a 3-d-shining-metal effect and placed over an intricate pattern, then whoever is supposed to replace the text in that file is out of luck. In case you're wondering now how it's usually done in the translation industry: Some translators who have the knowledge, equipment and spare time offer the graphics editing on top of the translation as an additional service (usually at an additional charge). We always choose the second path I described and send bilingual legends - let the client sort it out. If they had the foresight to keep editable graphics files, they should have an easy time replacing the text and if they didn't, hm, well then good luck to them. HTH, Benjamin ▲ Collapse | |