FrameMaker Localization

Required files and assets from the client:

• • FrameMaker source files: .FM, .MIF, or .BOOK files (preferred format for best localization results)
• • Editable graphics: Source files for all graphics (.PSD, .AI, .SVG, .EPS) that contain text or need localization
• • Fonts: All fonts used in the document, including custom or licensed fonts, or links to font sources
• • Reference materials: Style guides, glossaries, terminology databases, and any previous translations for consistency
• • Graphics inventory: List of graphics that need localization vs. those that are universal
• • Screenshots: If screenshots need replacement, provide source application access or replacement images
• • PDF reference: Final output PDF for layout reference and quality assurance

• • Use structured documents: FrameMaker structured documents with EDD (Element Definition Document) provide better control over formatting and ensure consistency across languages
• • Extract text for translation: Export translatable content to XLIFF or other translation formats to maintain formatting and context
• • Handle graphics separately: Extract text from graphics and translate separately, then update source graphics or recreate localized versions
• • Manage paragraph styles: Use paragraph and character styles consistently to ensure proper formatting in target languages, especially for text expansion
• • Test text expansion: Account for text expansion (typically 20-30% for European languages, 50%+ for Asian languages) by testing layouts early
• • Preserve conditional text: Maintain conditional text markers and ensure they work correctly in localized versions
• • Handle cross-references: Verify that cross-references, hyperlinks, and bookmarks update correctly after translation
• • Maintain table formatting: Tables may need adjustment for text expansion; use flexible table formats when possible
• • Check special characters: Ensure proper encoding and font support for special characters, diacritics, and symbols in target languages

• • Text expansion: FrameMaker documents can expand significantly in some languages (German, Finnish, Russian), requiring layout adjustments and potentially more pages
• • BIDI languages: Right-to-left languages (Arabic, Hebrew) require special handling of text direction, alignment, and reading order
• • Font availability: Ensure target language fonts are available and properly licensed; some languages require specific font families
• • Graphics localization: Graphics with embedded text require separate localization workflow; uneditable graphics may need recreation
• • Master pages: Headers, footers, and page numbering may need adjustment for different languages and text lengths
• • Index generation: If the document includes an index, it must be regenerated after translation with proper sorting for the target language
• • Table of contents: TOC entries may change length and require formatting adjustments
• • Version compatibility: Ensure FrameMaker version compatibility between source and target systems
• • Conditional text: Verify that conditional text settings work correctly for different language versions

1. File Preparation (DTP Prep): Analyze source files, extract translatable content, identify graphics requiring localization, and prepare files for translation (1 hour per 100 pages)
2. Content Extraction: Export text content to translation format (XLIFF, RTF, or XML) while preserving formatting and structure
3. Translation: Translate content using CAT tools, maintaining terminology consistency and following style guides
4. Graphics Localization: Extract text from graphics, translate, and update source graphics or create localized versions (1 hour per 10 editable graphics, 1 hour per 5 uneditable graphics)
5. Desktop Publishing (Round 1): Import translated content back into FrameMaker, apply formatting, adjust layouts for text expansion, and update graphics (20 pages/hour for Latin, 15 for Asian, 10 for BIDI)
6. Screenshot Replacement: Replace screenshots with localized versions if required
7. Quality Assurance: Review layout, formatting, text flow, and ensure all elements are properly localized
8. Revision 1: Implement client feedback and corrections (40 pages/hour for Latin, 30 for Asian, 20 for BIDI)
9. Revision 2: Final corrections and refinements (80 pages/hour for Latin, 60 for Asian, 40 for BIDI)
10. Final Output: Generate PDF or FrameMaker output files, verify all cross-references, TOC, and index are correct