Translating graphics with Paint.NET

Step 3: Inserting translation into the text layer

By now you are probably wondering: when am I going to do some translation? Well, we've prepared all the groundwork, so let's get the show on the road!

Working with text is pretty easy:

1. Use the Color Picker tool to pick the correct text color from the original image in the Background layer;
2. Select the layer that you designated for text;
3. Choose the Text tool from the Tools panel and click within the image;
4. Enter text, trying to match the original text formatting closely;
5. Correct typos, inconsistencies, etc. during the proofreading stage.

Let's break down each of the steps above. As an example, we will be translating the word 'Internet' in our sample image:

1. Use the Color Picker tool to pick the correct text color from the image.

   Before you add a text block, you need to tell Paint.NET what color it needs to use to format the text. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to change the text color when you have already typed some text, so we'll pick the right color before adding the text.

   Select the Color Picker tool from the Tools panel (green eyedropper icon ). Switch to the Background layer (this is where all the original colors are stored). To zoom in on a specific area, use the plus and minus buttons ( ) on the toolbar or rotate the mousewheel up or down while holding the Ctrl key. Finally, click over the color you would like to use for the text. The Colors panel should change to something like this:

   
   Figure 4: Using the Color Picker to pick a color from the original image

   Tips:

   • if the color of the text you are about to add is already present at the bottom of the Colors panel, you can just select that color from there [see Standard / custom colors area in Fig. 4];
   • if your image has only a few colors and you need to translate a lot of text blocks, you can add all those colors to the standard palette by picking a color with the Color Picker, clicking the button marked 'Add to palette' in Fig. 4, and then clicking one of the colors in the standard colors area. This will allow you to choose those colors quickly.

2. Select the layer that we have designated for text

   As soon as you finish editing a text block in Paint.NET, that text 'overwrites' anything stored in the same layer (using the graphical software terminology, the text is 'rendered' or 'rasterized'). This is why it is very important to choose the right layer in the Layers panel before adding text. Remember: always make sure that you have chosen the correct layer (preferably the layer designated for text) in the Layers panel, or you risk overwriting something (which you can always Undo, of course).

3. Make sure that nothing is selected within the image

   When an area is selected (surrounded by a moving dotted line), the Text tool treats that area as a working area. In other words, only the text located inside the selection will be visible.

   If you type the text and don't see anything, do the following: choose Edit -> Deselect or click on the toolbar.

4. Choose the Text tool from the Tools panel and click within the image.

   Once you do this, you will see a blinking caret with a cross-shaped icon next to it.

   Paint.NET always remembers the formatting that you used for the previous text block, so if you have 2 or 3 different types of text formatting in the image, it is a good idea to add all text blocks with one type of formatting, then text blocks with another type of formatting, etc.

5. Enter text, trying to match the original text formatting closely.

   You can change the formatting of the entire text block at any time while you are editing it using the Text Tool's Properties toolbar.

   
   Figure 5: Text editing

   You can also move the text around by dragging the cross-shaped icon in the bottom right corner of the text (press Ctrl key if you can't see this icon).

   The text editor in Paint.NET is pretty basic. If you make a typo, use the left/right keys to go back to the mistyped text, or click the mouse where you want to modify something. To delete letters, press Delete or Backspace keys.

   Check the text for typos, etc., and then position it right where you want to see it in the translated version (it will be above the original text). Click outside the text block and it will become rendered on the current layer.

   Tips:

   • You can also use the Colors panel to change the text color while the text is being edited;
   • Paint.NET does not support formatting of individual letters, so you will have to outsmart the program by creating several text blocks;
   • To insert a special symbol (e.g. a degree or Euro symbol), use one of these methods:
     • insert the symbol in Microsoft Word or another word processor, copy it to the clipboard and press Ctrl+V key combination to paste it in the text editor;
     • input the symbol using the numerical keypad located on the right side of your keyboard (this method works in all text editors). For more information, please read this page.

6. Correct the text after it has been rendered

   • Suppose you made a typo in the word 'Internet' (that stupid keyboard!). To correct it, you need to erase the text and type some new text instead. To do this:

     1. Select the layer where the text is actually stored (i.e. the Text layer);

     2. Select an area around the text using the Rectangle Select tool ():

        
        Figure 6: Selecting with Rectangle Select tool

     3. Press Delete key to erase everything within the selection;

     4. To erase individual areas, select the Eraser tool () from the Tools panel, set the appropriate brush width from the Eraser Properties toolbar, and make a couple of strokes over the text to erase it. I advise you to make a selection first to avoid accidentally erasing some other text in the same layer.

        
        Figure 7: Using the Eraser tool

     5. Reset the selection by choosing Edit -> Deselect or clicking on the toolbar. This step is important, because if you leave an area selected, other operations you perform on the image will be constrained to that selection.

   • If you want to move the text that has been rendered:

     1. select the Text layer;
     2. select the area around the text using the Rectangle Select tool ();
     3. select the Move Selected Pixels tool () from the Tools panel;

     4. position the mouse cursor inside the selection, click the left mouse button and drag the selection to a new place:

        
        Figure 8: Using the Move Selected Pixels tool

Notes & tips:

• If you would like to insert rotated text, read the Advanced Techniques section;
• Sometimes you may insert text in a wrong layer. Unless this is the Background layer (in this case I would recommend you to undo the last action), you can use the Rectangle Select tool () to select the area around the text, click Edit -> Cut, select the right layer, and click Edit -> Paste. If you need to move the text, position the mouse cursor inside the selection, click the left mouse button and drag the selection to a new place.