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.NET Forum / .NET Framework / Internationalization / November 2006Localization and form layout
In localizing a Windows Form application, is it best to always use the Resize event and then calculate the size of all controls based on the localized strings and manually lay out the form? Or do most of you try to do your translations so that they fit a common size for labels, buttons, etc?  SignatureDale Preston MCAD C# MCSE, MCDBA > In localizing a Windows Form application, is it best to always use the > Resize > event and then calculate the size of all controls based on the localized > strings and manually lay out the form? Use layout managers (FlowLayoutPanel, TableLayoutPanel) and properties like AutoSize, AutoSizeMode, docking/anchors, and let them do the work. > Or do most of you try to do your translations so that they fit a common > size for labels, buttons, etc? Definintely not. This is guarantee for bad localization. SignatureMihai Nita [Microsoft MVP, Windows - SDK] http://www.mihai-nita.net ------------------------------------------ Replace _year_ with _ to get the real email Thanks for your reply. What do you do when your autosized controls don't fit the form? Do you have to resize the form as well? Is it possible to get too carried away with localization? Thanks in advance, Dale SignatureDale Preston MCAD C# MCSE, MCDBA > > In localizing a Windows Form application, is it best to always use the > > Resize [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > size for labels, buttons, etc? > Definintely not. This is guarantee for bad localization. > Thanks for your reply. What do you do when your autosized controls don't > fit the form? Do you have to resize the form as well? The form also has the AutoSize attributhe, but to be fair I was not really able to take advantage of it. But yes, is best if you find a way to resize the form. I find it easyer to design the forms for auto-layout, localize the string part, then just manualy resize a bit for the languages, if needed. If the autolayout is done right, there is very little work. It really pays if you have many languages. > Is it possible to get too carried away with localization? Like with everything else, the answer is probably yes :-) But in my experience, the better the English, the easyer the localization. Everything you do for a good English (clean dialogs, autolayout, clear language and terminology) also helps languages. SignatureMihai Nita [Microsoft MVP, Windows - SDK] http://www.mihai-nita.net ------------------------------------------ Replace _year_ with _ to get the real email Hi, The best way it to modify to original layout each time you import translations. If some translation does no fit and the translator has reshaped the UI you should do the same change to the ORIGINAL file. When localizing to the next language it is less likely that the translator need to change the UI. I have experience translating a large application to German, French, Japanese, Finnish and Russian. After doing German, Finnish and Japanese translations French and Russian did not need any layout changing. Most likely the next translations will be translate-only! Less the translators need to do layout changing cheaper the localization will be. A properly internationalized UI also looks good! Some guidelines about UI design: http://www.sisulizer.com/translation/vcl/delphi.shtml This is for Delphi but the same principles are valid for .NET. By following this you will cut at least to half the need of your layout changing when translating UI. Best regards, Jaakko Salmenius www.sisulizer.com Thanks for the tips. Already, based on what I learned reading your site, I am making changes to my forms. Luckily, it's early in the localization process so most of my forms, I can implement your ideas from the beginning. Dale SignatureDale Preston MCAD C# MCSE, MCDBA > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Jaakko Salmenius > www.sisulizer.com Free MagazinesGet these publications absolutely FREE for up to 12 months. There are no hidden fees and no obligation. Simply choose a title, complete the application form and submit it. Read more ...
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