Case Study: Translation of AutoCAD Drawings

About the Project:
KPT provided translation of CAD drawings from English to Russian and Russian to English

  • Service name: Translation and Proofreading.
  • Language Pair: English to Russian, Russian to English.
  • Service Type: Localization
  • Volume: 1 Lakh Words
  • Industry: Engineering and Manufacturing

Project Overview
Translating AutoCAD files presents challenges due to the diverse elements, intricate details, and the necessity to adhere closely to the original content. The translators at Keypoint have expertise in handling multi-layered AutoCAD files, they can precisely decipher all information within the drawings, including dimensions, tolerances, part designations, and material specifications.

Different drawings translated including but not limited to

  • Detailed Design
  • Plans
  • Schematics
  • Assembly Drawing
  • Installation Drawing
  • Construction Drawing

Solution provided by KPT:
Translators with expertise in Manufacturing and Engineering were handpicked through a stringent selection process.

Experienced translators with expertise in translating content for Manufacturing and Engineering are required to successfully translate content. Our team of translators with expertise in the Engineering domain undergoes a rigorous selection process to ensure their qualifications meet our high standards. In addition to our general criteria, which include being native speakers with translation qualifications and several years of experience, our translators must also possess prior experience in Engineering and AutoCAD. All translations are meticulously reviewed by equally qualified linguists and thoroughly tested by our QA team. Furthermore, each translation project is overseen by a Project Manager who serves as the main point of contact between the client and the translators.

Project Approach
Technical drawings come in diverse formats, our translators leverage specialized software, such as those found in the Autodesk and Acrobat suites and are adept at working with a variety of file formats. We prioritize maintaining the original formatting and structure of technical drawings to ensure that translations remain functional and retain readability.

Whether dealing with DWG, DXF, DGN, or PDF formats, our team is equipped to handle any type of technical drawing. We understand the critical role of the original file format in translation accuracy, and we meticulously ensure that translated drawings mirror the originals in appearance and functionality.

For file conversion purposes in translation, it’s essential to have the data in DXF format, regardless of the technical drawing program being used. DXF, which stands for Drawing Exchange Format, originated from Autodesk alongside their initial design software release as an open-source solution. Its purpose was to enable early adopters to share files without divulging the specifications of their native DWG format to competitors. We offer the service of converting DXF files into a text format compatible with our translation tools.

Ideally, DXF files should be exported directly from the CAD authoring program. However, if this isn’t feasible, we have software capable of converting DWG files.

To prevent issues, the best approach is to prepare a source file for translation. This principle applies to all types of design files. For instance, when designing a graphic intended for translation into Russian, it’s advisable to include extra white space to accommodate text expansion. In the context of CAD drawings, labels and notes tend to expand during translation. Therefore, translation best practices for CAD drawings suggest separating note content and utilizing numerical references within the drawing to correspond to the associated text.

We employ tools to automate parts of this process, followed by having subject matter experts translate the terminology before initiating the project. A bilingual glossary is then used to create a term base within the translation tool. Whenever a source term appears, the translator receives an alert. Any deviations from the term base can be promptly rectified, either during the translation process or in our quality assurance phase. Translation tools ensure consistency by preserving the termbase and translation memory, ensuring the consistent use of preferred terminology across all translated content for the company. This also serves as a reference for abbreviations used to compensate for text expansion.

Conclusion
Thorough project planning, meticulous preparation, and leveraging technology were integral to the success of this project. The client expressed satisfaction with the service, translating multilayered AutoCAD files and other related documents has greatly improved its operations and global presence.

About KeyPoint Technologies
KeyPoint Technologies through its proven expertise has pioneered native language messaging and communication with world’s largest language base. Spearheading research in linguistics and AI, it has built the best suited next generation language and device solutions. We are trusted partners to OEMs, Operators, and App Developers for developing intelligent interfaces, engines & input experiences. Our product range includes world’s first AI powered, user-initiated, multi-lingual, search and discovery platform, Xploree; A multilingual, multipurpose conversational chatbot called Xbot. We are also identified as a leader in the localization industry, providing end-to-end translation and localization solutions to help our clients attain their global communication, marketing and revenue goals.