LocDirect is designed to be your complete localization asset pipeline solution. It supports you throughout the full development process. The system is scalable and can be used by the developer in isolation or the system can be opened up to include translators, QA staff and eventual publishing partners.

Easy to integrate

As a developer it is quick and painless to get started with LocDirect. Install the LocDirect server application or let us host it for you, then install the LocDirect client on any machine running Microsoft Windows and you are ready to go. If you are mid-project, any existing strings can be imported into LocDirect together with any additional data you may have.

Define and organize strings

In LocDirect strings are organized into string folders. You can create any amount of string folders and each folder can hold any number of strings. String folders or strings can easily be moved by simple drag and drop. You can multi-select strings and even copy strings between different projects. To create a new string simply click the folder you want to place it in and select Add String. When adding a string you define the string identifier and enter in the source language text. You can add a string description which will be shown to the translators. It is also possible to limit the size in pixels or characters that the translation is allowed. By using this function you can avoid overlong/bleeding strings. A very helpful feature is the ability to set up default values. Any defined default value will be filled in automatically when you add a new string and will save you having to re-type reducing the possibility of error. Default values can be set up individually per folder. LocDirect makes adding and editing of in-game strings easy and safe so everyone on the team can contribute. Once a new string is entered it is immediately available to be included in your application.

Seamless integration with your product

LocDirect makes the text strings available to you application by outputting build export files. The build export files contain all the data needed for the localization of your project.

A LocDirect developer client can generate the build export files on command or be configured to automatically generate the files on any change or addition of text in the LocDirect database. By using the automatic build exporter you can make sure that your project always has the latest data. As soon as a new string or translation is entered into the system it is immediately available to your application. The build export file format is fully customizable using LocScript. LocScript allows you full access to all data in LocDirect. Several popular build export formats are predefined as templates. The build export files are then included during compilation or accessed by your application during run time.

Customize to suit your needs

LocDirect was designed with the understanding that no game project is the same. For each project you set up target languages and specify source language. Set up a string folder structure tailor-made to your project. If you need additional data fields you can add any amount of Custom Fields. A Custom Field can be a text field, check-box or drop down list and may contain additional data such what font size to use, if a character is male or female or what platform to include the string on. The full main view of the LocDirect client is customizable, you pick and choose exactly what data to show and in what order.

Advanced version control

The backbone of LocDirect is its advanced version control system. All data is stored in one place and instantly available via the LocDirect client. LocDirect tracks every string individually and makes sure that only one person can edit and change a string at any given time. Should a source language string that has already been translated change, LocDirect will flag the string for re-translation. The full item history of a string is readily available and rolling back to an earlier version is quick and simple. With LocDirect your version problems are a thing of the past.

Localization in parallel with development

With LocDirect's powerful version control it is possible to manage the translation of strings in parallel with development. You can have translations performed daily throughout the development cycle or in one big batch at the end - or anything in-between. However, starting early with translations and keeping strings translated throughout the development has great benefits. Receiving translations earlier results in fewer problems with dependencies. An example of which are scripts for voice actors. Being up to date with your localization means that you can create fully localized demos for trade shows and can start localization QA at the same time as lead language QA. Problems with overlong and bleeding strings are dealt with earlier in the production phase, allowing the team to focus on the game rather than localization related string problems. Simply put, localizing your in-game assets in parallel with development will increase quality, increase your chances of hitting milestones and potentially simultaneously ship your product world-wide.

Import and export capabilities

LocDirect features extensive import and export functionality. Not only can string identifiers and the string texts themselves be imported/exported - every data field can be accessed. This includes user configured custom fields. The exporter/importer supports xml, xls, cvs and skv in full unicode. In addition to the ability to export all data, it is also possible to export/import translations. The export and import of translations can be used when translators are using external software to translate the text. Select which folder to include in the translation export and a file with all untranslated strings will be generated. Include any additional fields that may be helpful to the translator - such as description and folder path. Once the translator has added the translation, import the file back into LocDirect. LocDirect's version control system will check and warn you if any changes have been made to the source text from when the export was initially performed.

Full control over the entire process

No more "in-the-dark" experiences once you hand over the strings for translations. With LocDirect you always know who translated what and when they translated it. You can at any time retrieve a full status report on the amount of words still in need of translation for each target language. Is the Spanish translation starting to fall behind? With LocDirect you have the information to be proactive. LocDirect's context sensitive history lets you easily filter information to quickly find the relevant data. History not only includes everything regarding strings and translations - all data objects are tracked and logged. LocDirect features an extensive user access rights system, allowing you to decide who has access to which areas of your project and what they are allowed to do. With LocDirect there is no problem with allowing access to external parties, an example of which is script writers. They can be granted access to a specific string folder in your project and add/amend strings however they wish.