Version 2
Added 2022-10-04 08:31:45 +0000 UTCI apologize for the slow updates. There are stuff happening IRL that I just can't get away from, but I am working on the app! I've been doing a bunch of experiments on getting the app to the next level, and I believe I figured out all the missing pieces to solve fully automated translation. This includes automated translation of ALL text (not just those inside speech bubbles). Let's call it version 2. I currently have 4 major milestones. The idea is to get something working out by end of the year. Here is the first milestone:
Milestone 1: Brand new UI
This round of UI redesign was heavily based on feedback from pro letterers that I talked to. A lot of the UI elements are also built in to support upcoming AI features. Here's an ugly mock and a work-in-progress GIF.
Key features and changes:
- Upload & editing presets – you want to remember certain font, font size for certain style of manga? You got it.
- Side-by-side view – with various fit modes and zoom.
- Top editing bar – all editing features has been consolidated to a tool bar at the top.
- Script focused view – the editing panel left puts the focus on the translation of the script. Text order will be ordered in reading order. The long term goal is to be able to import/export text scripts so that the translator can still work separately in a text document if needed.
- Manual insertion/selection of text elements - as indicated in the last post, I now have a method for users to manually select missed text. This will seamlessly blend in with the script view.
To sum it up, the goal of the new UI is to put to focus of the user on the translation and let the app handle 99% of the graphic editing. This is because with the new ML models incoming it will be able to automate almost all graphic editing work. The three tabs in the mock should also give you an idea of one of the upcoming milestones.
I'll update as I have more to share.
