Add images as visual context in the CAT editor

Overview

Giving a linguist as much context as possible is especially important when you localize games and apps. Segments might contain only a word or two, so the context is harder to grasp, and the same text within repetitions might have to be translated differently depending on its position in the user interface.

Without additional information, the linguist cannot tell whether the text belongs to a button, a tooltip, the name of a column in a table, and so on.

This is why Smartcat lets linguists attach screenshots and images to segments.


Add an image

  1. Select a segment in the CAT editor, then click the button with the camera icon on the toolbar

    CAT editor toolbar with the camera icon button highlighted

  2. Upload the file or add a link to the image in the dialog box

Dialog box for uploading an image file or adding an image link to a segment

The image is now attached to the segment as visual context.

📌 If you don't see the camera icon button on the toolbar, contact Smartcat and the feature will be enabled for you.


Alternatives

You can attach images to segments in two other ways:

  • Add a link to an image stored in an external location in the comment to a segment (.jpg or .png)

Segment comment containing a link to an externally hosted image

  • Add links to images in the source file. This method works for special localization formats such as .resx, .po, and .strings. To upload a screenshot, add a link to the image in the comment to the line in the source file. When you upload the file, Smartcat automatically recognizes all the images and uploads them

View added images

Segments that have screenshots attached are marked with the camera icon. Click it to see the screenshot.

Segment row marked with a camera icon indicating an attached screenshot

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