Working with Subtitles in Brief

<< Click to Display Table of Contents >>

Navigation:  Subtitling >

Working with Subtitles in Brief

Creating Subtitles

To create a new subtitle, if the current subtitle is the last one in the file press the Page Down key or click on the next subtitle field (the black rectangle under the editing window).

If there is no next subtitle this command will create it and make it current.

You may have noticed that these are the same commands used to navigate to the next subtitle if one already exists. That is why the method only works if there is no next subtitle.

If you need to create a subtitle to fit between two already existing subtitles you will need to use the Insert command as described in Operations between Subtitles.

Editing the Text in Subtitles

The subtitle text in EZTitles is typed the same way as in a normal word-processing program.

Two basic fonts are used in EZTitles – Font 1 and Font 2. They can be selected by or toolbar buttons or from the Titles/Format/Font menu. The default font is set with the File/Project Settings/Subtitles.

Switching between input languages works the same way as in other Windows programs. The currently selected input language is displayed on the Status Bar.

When you type text in the current line and it goes beyond the set limits (the safe area, or the number of characters per line - see Safe Area), the last word is transferred to the next line and it becomes the current one. During this operation the preceding lines go upwards if necessary. If you want to start typing a new line before the text has reached the end of the line, you can use Enter.

The Insert Mode, which is the default one, can be changed to the Overwrite Mode with the Insert key pressed.

During the typing process the program does an automatic spell check of the text and the possible errors are underlined (only if the option has been turned on from the Tools/Proofing/Spelling Options menu).

Entering and Editing Timecode

The subtitle timecode is most often entered using the keyboard shortcuts. In that case the current video frame timecode is assigned as either the in-cue or the out-cue of the subtitle.

It is also possible to directly type the in-cue and out-cue values in their edit fields, but that method is rarely convenient.

Note: To be able to use all keyboard shortcuts make sure that the Num Lock on your keyboard is off.

Locate the frame where you want to place the in-cue of the subtitle. Set the in-cue by pressing the Enter key on the Numeric keyboard.

Now locate the frame where the subtitle should hide. Freeze it and set the out-cue for the subtitle by pressing the Ins key on the Numeric keyboard.

Another approach is to place in- and out-cues of your subtitles manually during playback in Preview Mode (see Preview Mode).

In Preview Mode while playing the video file at normal speed press and hold down Space to set the in-cue for the current subtitle.

To set the out-cue for the same subtitle release the Space bar.

Then continue in the same fashion with the rest of the subtitles.

More information about entering and editing timecode is available in Timecode Editing.

Global Subtitle and Timecode Operations

Editing subtitles often includes adjustment of the timecode or other attributes, which can be applied to a whole series of subtitles or to all subtitles (excluding the zero subtitle). The corresponding commands are grouped in the Titles menu. These are: Format, Delete, Renumber, Recut, Sort, Fix Subtitles, etc. and are thoroughly described in Global Subtitle & Timecode Operations.

Comments

You can type notes related to the current subtitle directly in the Comments field.

The commands in the Comments pop-up menu that appears after right-clicking on the Comments field are the standard ones for editing text.

They include Undo, Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete and Select All (select the whole text).

For better working experience you are able to go to the comment's field and back with just two buttons need to be pressed.

F11 will automatically direct you to the comments box. When you are done you simply press F12 and you will be right back at the editor.

Spell Check

The spell checking in EZTitles is done automatically as you type. The erroneous words are underlined during editing.

Right-click on the underlined word and you will see a list of suggestions to correct it. please be aware that it is required to have Microsoft Word, OpenOffice or Libre Office installed on the machine.

Spell checking can also be done manually by selecting Tools/Spell check …, clicking on the toolbar icon or by pressing F7. Spell checking is thoroughly described in Spell Check.

Undo and Redo

If you’ve given the wrong command and you want to reverse the changes, use the Undo command from the Edit menu.

If you did an undo, but you decide you want to reverse its effects, use the Redo command from the Edit menu.

The number of consecutive undo commands is unlimited. The shortcuts are standard: ctrl+Z for undo and ctrl+Y for redo.

Another powerful command is Group Undo. Press ctrl+alt+Z and all changes made to the current subtitle will be undone.

Edit Mode

As the name suggests this mode is designed for editing subtitles. The greater portion of work is done in Edit Mode. In that mode the text and timecode are edited, subtitles are added, deleted or formatted, etc.

Preview Mode

In Preview Mode when the video is played the subtitles are shown and hidden from the screen as the viewer would see them.

This mode is most often used for capturing and editing the timecodes and preview of the subtitles.

When the video is played most of the commands are disabled and you can only capture in- and out-cues or overwrite existing ones using the timecode override feature (Ctrl key). For more details see Preview Mode.

Preview Subtitles Only

The Preview Subtitles Only option allows you to skip the parts of the video with no subtitles or conversation during the playback in Preview mode.

The idea behind this feature is to reduce the time needed for the final review of the subtitles.