When you purchase the DotCHM Enterprise edition you will see an extra tab called "Translation View" appear next to the "Filter View". Here you can create multiple languages and translate only the relevant text, in a protected editor. All your links, graphics, objects and search keys are protected and have special editors where necessary. This means that the integrity of your translated project is maintained during translation and can integrate into your application with the same ease that you are currently used to with DotHLP.

Q: Why do I need a Translation Assistant?
Historically, when you wanted your help file translated you'd send the rtf file to a translation bureau, and they'd send the translated rtf file back. That's when the real fun begins, with missing footnotes, links, graphics, macros etc. You can't ask a translator to understand the intricacies of help file authoring, they shouldn't have to. The Translation Assistant handles this problem for you and provides an interface that allows the translator to easily translate the help text. Even if they wanted to, they cannot damage your links. They work in a protected environment that is incredibly simple to use.

Q: Can I translate it myself?
Sure, taking a simple scenario - you've just completed your help file in your own language and you want to translate it into French. You select the "Translation View", then open the Language Manager, click Add and select French. An exact copy of your base language, (original project), is created. Each page has a color-coded status with a value of either "Translated", "Part-Translated" or "Untranslated". For each page, you translate the Title, the search Keys (which has its own editor) and the Help Text. The protected help text editor won't allow you to delete links or objects. To translate a link you double-click it and enter the translation. You can filter on only the pages that need translating or all pages, if you choose to. There are a few other things to translate, but when you're ready to compile, you can press F8 and compile as you normally do. It really is that simple.

Q: Will it Translate my text?
No, the purpose of the Assistant is to bring the translation process down to the single task of translating the text, while maintaining the integrity of your help file, it is not a "Translator".

Q: We have Translators to do the work, how do I export the data?
You can export your language into a zip file. A special version of DotHLP is provided, complete with setup files ready for a professional multi-language installation. You ship the zip files and setup files to your translator, by email or on disk/cd. They install it and are presented with a very simple interface from which they translate your project. When they've finished they select the option to "Send Translation to Customer". This creates a zip file which they can either email or post to you. You then import this zip file and compile the translation! 

The special version of DotHLP that you send to your translator will only work with the translation project that you send them. You can send this special edition to any translator any number of times without needing to worry about purchasing multiple copies of DotHLP for each translator.

Q: What happens if I make changes and need further translation?
Every page is time stamped and version controlled. When you first create your help file you start at Version "1.0". All pages will initially have this version. When you make alterations to your original project, i.e. in your base language, you then select "Translation | Cascade Base Language Changes". This displays a screen asking for a version number. Normally you'd increment this to Version "1.1" etc, but only if you'd already sent a version to your Translator.

This option produces a report showing you which pages have changed, and whether there are new graphics etc. New pages are added and modifications are applied. You can then export just this version to your Translator and they can send you back just that version.

Q: How can I try the Translation Assistant?
Please download the following file:-

http://www.windows-help-files.com/download/trtables.zip [3k]

and unzip it into your DotHLP/DotCHM install directory and restart DotHLP/DotCHM. You will now see an extra tab called "Translation View". As soon as you click on this tab you should see some help appear. At the top of this tab you'll see the Language field. Click the ellipsis button to the right of it and then select your language. A few moments later you'll see a copy of your project. You can now translate this into the chosen language, working within the protected editor of the Translation Assistant.

There is also a redistributable exe that is normally shipped to Translation companies. If you want to experiment with this please let us know.

You can upgrade to the DotCHM Enterprise edition at the following prices:-

Upgrade from DotCHM to DotCHM Enterprise: $260

Upgrade from DotHLP to DotCHM Enterprise: $330