'Text Catalog Tools' flash extension v1.5

1. Overview
2. Installation
3. Excel® Add-in and online xliff editor
4. Limitations and known issues
5. Links

   1. Overview

The 'Text Catalog Tools' flash extension lets you create an xml file of all the text in your flash documents so that you can easily replace it with translations or other substitutions. Once you install the extension you can access it in Flash MX 2004 by clicking on Windows->Other Panels->Text Catalog Tools. A window opens up with a simple interface to help you get started.

   2. Installation

The installation package is a 'zip' file (TextCatalogTools.zip). To begin, unzip the package to a directory on your machine. You should then have the following files:

TextCatalogTools.mxp - this is the Macromedia extension manager fie- double-clicking will start the Macromedia extension manager and allow you to install the extension.

XliffEditor.xla - this is an Excel® add-in file that is used to help you edit the xml file that is output by the extension. To install the add-in, open up Microsoft Office Excel®, choose Tools->Add-Ins...
A dialog box comes up listing the current Add-ins you have installed. Choose 'Browse...' and navigate to the directory where you extracted the zip file contents. Choose 'XliffEditor.xla'. You will then see the 'XliffEditor' in the list of Add-ins. Check the box and the add-in will be installed. You only have to do this once. Once the add-in is installed, you should see a menu item called 'Xliff' on the main menu bar.

ReadMe.htm - this file.

   3. Excel® Add-in and online xliff editor

The add-in allows you to open and save 'xliff' files, which is an xml format used for translation data. (See installation instructions above). When you open a file, you will be able to edit all fields in the 'target' column, and then save the file for use by the 'Replace Text' tool in the flash extension.

There is also an online editor that has the same functionality as the Excel® add-in, in a cross-platform browser based format. Use the online editor here.

   4. Limitations and known issues

There are cases where the 'Replace Text' tool fails to replace text in certain movie clips in the flash document. If this occurs, it can often be alleviated by making sure your document's library is open at the time (Ctrl+L in flash).

A limitiation of this version is that text formatting such as bold, italics, etc. are ignored by the tools. This will be a feature in the next version of the extension.

   5. Links

flashextension.net - Get updated versions, or check out other extensions, components, and stock movie clips for downloading.

online xliff editor - Similar to the XliffEditor Add-In for Excel®, this online tool allows you to upload text catalog files created by the 'Build Catalog' tool, edit it, and save it back to your local machine.

support@flashextension.net - Feel free to email any questions, comments, or issues...