Use project templates
In this article, we'll look at how to use project templates for your translation and localization projects in Smartcat.
Project templates are pre-set workflows that are designed for specific tasks. For example, you might have a template ready for website translation or software localization. This saves you the trouble of setting up every new project from scratch.
Here’s how to select or create a project template in Smartcat:
Sign in to Smartcat. Start by logging into Smartcat using your credentials to access your workspace.
Start a new project. On your workspace’s home page, locate the Create a project option in the templates section below your workspace's name. Clicking this will open the project creation workflow.
Select or create a template. Click the Change template button at the top right of the workflow to start using a project template. By default, it shows Smartcat’s preloaded options (software localization, website translation, set-up integration) and any previously created options.
When you select an existing template, the predetermined workflows are loaded in automatically, saving you time.
When you create a new template, you must configure all the settings manually, including every stage of your desired workflow, such as translation, editing, review, QA, legalization, pre-translation rules, and other settings. However, this template will be saved in your account for future use.
Define your project template
Give the template a name and a description that tells users how to fill out the fields.
Step 2: Set your workflow
Predefine your project workflow stages, source, and target languages.
When you click on the Add stage option, a dropdown Select stage menu appears. This divides into source-file processing and target-file processing stages. This layout allows you to easily categorize and select the appropriate stages for your project.
Each stage, except for the Source layout check, can be selected an infinite number of times, allowing you to include multiple instances of the same stage in your workflow.
However, the Source layout check stage can only be selected once to maintain its specific purpose and functionality. Keep in mind that this stage always comes first.
In the project template creation wizard, when you move to the second step, the Translation stage is automatically reselected by default. This ensures a smooth and consistent workflow setup.
If you manually delete the Translation stage, the Linguistic assets and Automatic translation items are hidden in the left menu, and the remaining steps in the workflow are renumbered accordingly.
This dynamic adjustment helps you to maintain a clear understanding of your workflow structure.
When you select two or more stages from the list, they are added to the workflow list, and the Drag & Drop functionality is activated.
This enables you to rearrange the stages as per your preferences. However, if only one stage is selected, the Drag button is disabled to prevent any unnecessary movement.
If you select two or more source languages, the options to set up linguistic assets and automatic translation will no longer be available.
As a result, you won't be able to set up translation memories, glossaries, and pre-translation rules in the project template.
In summary, the updated workflow builder is integrated into the project template creation wizard, project wizard, and custom workflow creation in the project wizard.
You can select, arrange, and delete stages in your workflow, resulting in the creation of a project template or project with the selected workflow configuration.
Step 3: Set project properties
Deadline and project name mask fields are optional.
Custom properties : available if there are project custom fields added in the workspace (Smartcat account > settings > Custom fields).
See more about custom fields in Custom project properties (aka Custom fields)
Step 4: Set up linguistic assets
Deadline and project name mask fields are optional.
You will also see options for adding further context, via project description, client, and subject.
Select translation memories (TMs) and specify thresholds.
The TMs you select here can be further applied to the automatic translation rules. If you don’t want to set up the automatic translation rules in the template, you can skip this step.
Select a translation memory
Select glossaries (optional)
Step 5: Set automatic translation rules
Set up translation memory rules
You can set up multiple translation rules and sort them in the desired order by dragging and dropping elements. If you need to change the translation memory used in a rule, you must go back to the previous step to select the appropriate TM.
AI translation rule:
You can set up an AI translation rule and choose different engines for target languages.
Step 6: Upload your files
Activate uploading reference files to a project if needed.
Step 7: Advanced Project settings
Repetitions settings
Quality assurance settings
Once all steps are completed, click Create a project template:
After you have created the template, you can use it at any time by selecting it from your list of created templates in the home page shortcut.