Hebrew and Arabic subtitles - problem

[Maukka]

The basic rule for displaying Hebrew and Arabic text correctly in a Unicode txt file is that one must specify that the text is biderctional. This can be done, for instance, in Word when saving to Unicode txt format. Otherwise full stops, question and exclamation marks etc. will apear in the beginning of phrases and not in the end.

But when a Unicode txt file is defined as biderctional, DVDWorkshop 2 cannot anymore import the file correctly. All the time codes disappear and other coding is imported as if it were part of the subtitle text.

Any workarounds? Anyone?

Thanks,

Maukka

PS I have all patches installed.

[Devil]

Firstly, you have to set Windows for Complex and right-to-left languages (including Thai). Only when you do this can you select the R>L Unicode character sets. You can then add Arabic/Hebrew language as your options.

In WS2, go into subtitles and select Arabic or Hebrew keyboard (toggling Alt-Shift until it shows the right one in the little abbreviated language one in the System Tray icon). You can now type in the subtitles correctly as per normal. I have done this with no difficulties but do not try to change the text attributes once your s-ts are typed.

Note that you cannot type menu items in anything other than Latin characters, only s-ts.

[Maukka]

Thanks Devil,

Sorry, I did not make myself clear. I am not trying to type Hebrew or Arabic. I don't know those languages nor do I have the necessary keyboards.
I am trying to import Unicode txt files in those languages into WS2 and I want to avoid touching the text as much as possible as I cannot even tell where a word ends and another starts...

The translator had already set the text R-to-L. I myself have Complex and right-to-left languages (including Thai) setting on and Hebrew and Arabic keyboard options activated. But WS2 simply cannot import the Unicode txt file with the biderctional setting turned on. That is the problem.

WS2 can import the same file if that setting is not on, but then full stops, question marks etc. are moved to the right, i.e. beginning of phrase. The actual Hebrew and Arabic characters look ok. This problem cannot be corected even insideWS2 because the cursor automatically jumps to the wrong place - because the is not bidirectional.

When you did Hebrew or Arabic, did ou actually type in Hebrew/Arabic text from keyboard or did you import a txt file?

Thanks again,
Maukka

[Devil]

I typed it: it was a single line in Arabic - My Arabic is limited to a few swear worrds and Coca Cola from the ads!