Document Creation Software for Manufacturing & Engineering Translations

When preparing large documents, like operator and technical service manuals, many manufacturing and engineering companies use Microsoft Word. This software is familiar, capable of producing print-ready documents and is usually already licensed for use by the company. When it comes to large, complex files that need translation, however, Microsoft Word is not an ideal tool. This software choice complicates translation issues for links and references within documents, tables of contents, and more. It is also more difficult to use with many non-English languages. The bottom line is that source documents created in Microsoft Word can make formatting translation projects more complex and time consuming for your translation services provider, resulting in higher translation costs for you. Some document creation and desktop publishing programs that can save time and money in the translation process include:

• Adobe FrameMaker – This powerful desktop publishing program provides familiar editing and formatting tools for document creators accustomed to Microsoft Word, but is superior for large, complex files that will be translated. It integrates smoothly with SDL Trados translation software, used by most translation companies, helping to streamline the translation process. FrameMaker correctly handles most foreign language characters, and makes dealing with links within documents, tables of contents, and other document features simple and efficient. Its collaboration tools also help both the original documentation team and our translation team produce great results smoothly. The result is print-ready translated files, delivered on time, and on budget. Your ILS project manager can help you optimize your Adobe FrameMaker documents for translation.
• Adobe InDesign – Another desktop publishing product from Adobe, InDesign, is especially useful when documents must be translated into languages that flow from right to left, such as Arabic and Hebrew. Like FrameMaker, it also integrates well with SDL Trados software to facilitate the translation process. Production of print-ready translated files is more efficient, saving time in this important stage of producing completed documents.
• Adobe Illustrator – If your original source material for translation projects such as product labels, safety decals and other graphical content is produced with Adobe Illustrator, translation and formatting your project will be simplified. Working with SDL Trados and other software, ILS translators and formatters can handle the job smoothly and with fewer steps, creating print-ready, formatted files for you at lower cost.

White Space – an Important Consideration in Translation

Whatever software you use to produce print-ready files for your documentation, thinking about translation requirements in advance is essential. In many languages, text expands in length as a result of translation, sometimes by as much as 20% or 30% which can lead to problems in formatting the translated document. This is especially true for space-constrained projects like software interfaces, labels, and other text that must fit in a specific space.

Creators of original source documents can simplify translation and prevent these issues by creating original documents that include extra white space in their design. That way, text that expands in the target language can still fit within the available space. Otherwise, the text may have to be modified or font sizes reduced to fit the space allotted.

International Language Services – Leading Technical Translation for Industrial Manufacturers

Our multilingual translation service has been helping manufacturers in many industries with all types of technical documents – instruction manuals, installation guides, online help files, web surveys, IFU’s, warning labels, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), safety decals, promotional brochures and product catalogs. We specialize in more than 150 languages including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Latvian, German, Portuguese, Arabic and Hebrew.

At ILS, we understand your need to meet schedules and control costs. Our project managers are always happy to work with you to find ways to help you and your documentation team to streamline the translation process from beginning to end. The more we communicate with your team, the happier the outcome. Efficiencies achieved through properly preparing your original documents combine with translation memory, previously translated boilerplate and repeating text to minimize your costs and assure on-time delivery of complete, print-ready files that preserve your document format. Contact us today to discuss your translation needs and to begin a mutually beneficial translation relationship.