Better translation processes in Indesign with CopyFlow Gold and One2Edit

In a multilingual world, it becomes harder to manage easily translation process in DTP files.
Some people just send their native files to their translation agency. Others try to export manually every story in a Word file, copying and pasting boxes.
Some are more smarter by using Incopy as a translation workflow, but it's not the best way…

There are some really nice tools that may help you face your translation problems. One of them is CopyFlow Gold from Napsys.

Compatible with Indesign, Illustrator and Quark Xpress

The first advantage of CopyFlow Gold is that it is compliant with most of the DTP currently in use : Indesign and Quark Xpress for marketing purpose, Illustrator for packaging. You don't have to change your processes depending on the software you use.

CopyFlow generate a single output file featuring all the text embedded in the Indesign file

CopyFlow process is quite simple : it generates a single output file with all the text embedded in your Indesign document, no matter if text is splitted in multiple boxes. You can set manually a hierarchy of boxes…
CopyFlow is able to generate various export formats, from classic RTF file to XLIFF or CFG XML, better suited for translation process. These formats are for example fully compliant with softwares like SGL Trados or DéjaVu.

Export, translate, reimport…

Translation process of an Indesign document is as following : from the CFG Tool panel in Indesign, select an output format and click on "Export". It generates the output file.

Original Indesign document (in english), with CFG palette on the right

The designer sends to the translation agency the XLIFF file. The translator just has to open the file in his own translation software (for example, SDL Trados) to translate it in french.

XLIFF file opened in SDL Trados

Once the translation process is done, the new XLIFF file is sent to the designer. From the CFG tool palette, he just has to import the new file. After a few seconds, a new translated Indesign file is created, with the translated boxes at the right place, in the right style sheet.

The designer just has to check the layout and correct overflow. He doesn't care about the content itself.

A new Indesign document is created from the translated XLIFF file. 

At a 495$ price, CopyFlow is a great productivity tool in my opinion.

One2Edit for sophisticated translation workflows

When you need more complex workflows, with validation and collaboration capability, tools like CopyFlow are not enough. You must have to deploy a true TMS software.
One of my favourite is called One2Edit. It enables Indesign file editing within a web browser, with very rich capabilities, such as translation memory tool, validation process, multichannel output…
In the following videoclip, you'll find an overview of this solution :

Links :

• Napsys CopyFlow
• One2Edit