Packet Tracer 4.11 Translation Process
Packet Tracer 4.11 supports semi-automated translation to all Unicode-supported languages. The first part of this guide explains the translation process for the main application. The second part explains the process for translating the help files. A short FAQ guide is provided at the end of each part to answer questions regarding the processes.
Overview
The translation process involves the translation of three separate parts of the program, each one with a small dependency on the translation of the Main Application. The most important translation is the main application as described in Part 1. This will translate the interface of the program. The help file screenshots depend on the translation of the main application in order to display the graphics in the translated language. The save files reference the language files to use upon opening the program so that the program will display in the native language of the save file if available.
To standardize the language files, the naming convention for language filenames should follow ISO 639-2. Packet Tracer uses the Alpha-3 code for representation of names of langauges. A list of language names to code is defined here: ISO-639-2_values_8bits-utf-8.csv. An example of an appropriate name is: "English_eng".
Part 1: Translating the Main Application
Required Tools
Setup:
You can translate to another language or change/continue translations on a previously translated language file. If you are translating to a new language, copy "template.ts" to "<new language name>.ts". Be sure that the <new language name> follows the ISO 639-2 standard defined in the overview section above.
Instructions:
Some Important Notes:
FAQ:
Q1.Where do I find the "template.ts" file?
A1.It is located in the "languages" folder of the installation path for the application. Example: "C:\Program Files\Packet Tracer 4.11\languages"
Q2.Do I need to translate the whole file before I can see the results?
A2.. To see the results at any point in the installation, just release the file and place it in the languages folder. Then select the language in the Preferences window of Packet Tracer 4.11.
Q3.I have some network files (.pkt) and some activity files (.pka) that need to be translated. How do I go about translating those?
A3.To translate the content in the saved files (e.g., device names, information boxes, or activity instructions), you must open those files and edit them in Packet Tracer.
Part 2: Translating the Help Files
Required Tools
Setup
In the "\help" folder, make a duplicate of the entire "default" folder (which contains the English version of the help files) using the Copy and Paste commands. Rename the new folder based on the target language in the languages folder. For example, if there is a language file called "japanese_jpn.ptl", rename the folder to "japanese_jpn".
Open the newly renamed folder and open the language.ptl file using a text editor. In the second line <GUI_LANGUAGE_FILE>English_eng.ts</GUI_LANGUAGE_FILE>, replace "English_eng.ts" with the name of the corresponding language project file from part 1 and save it. For example, "japanese_jpn.ts."
Translating HTML Text Content:
Working in the duplicate folder (e.g., "\help\japanese_jpn"), open each .htm file in a text editor or HTML editor (recommended). Translate the text content in each file and save when finished.
Note that the HTML source code uses the style sheet definitions found in the "styleMenu.css" and "styleNormal.css" files.
Translating Screen Shots:
The screenshots do not need to be recaptured. However, the text nodes in "/Packet Tracer 4.11/help/<language name>/language.ptl" need to be translated. The Packet Tracer interface must also be translated and the following file must exist: "/Packet Tracer 4.11/languages/<language name>.ts".
Part 3: Translating the Tutorials
Required Tools
Setup
Important: Make sure screen reader support is disabled while capturing the tutorials.
In the "\help\language" folder, replace all of the tutorials in the tutorials folder with the newly captured localized tutorials. More information about using Adobe Captivate can be found in the help files for Captivate.
Translation Process
The tutorial should now be translated. Repeat the process for the remaining tutorials.
Part 3b: Translating the Tutorials (Captions Only)
Required Tools
Setup
Obtain the tutorial source from the Academy Connection forums.
Translating Captions
Compiling the Tutorial
The tutorial should now be translated. Repeat the process for the remaining tutorials.