Common Workflows

This guide provides optimized workflows for different types of projects and scenarios. Each workflow is tailored to specific needs, helping you work more efficiently.

Webtoon Workflow

Webtoons (long vertical comics) require special handling due to their unique format.

Preparation

• Source images are typically long vertical strips
• Each “chapter” may be split into multiple image files
• Text flows top-to-bottom continuously

Recommended Workflow

1. Import Images in Order

   • Ensure your image files are named sequentially (e.g., chapter01_01.jpg, chapter01_02.jpg)
   • Easy Scanlate automatically sorts numerically-named files

2. Stitch Related Pages (Optional)

   • If a scene spans multiple files, use the Stitch tool:
   • Click “Stitch Images” in the left toolbar
   • Select images in reading order (top to bottom)
   • Click “Confirm Stitch” to merge into one long image
   • OCR results are automatically re-mapped

3. Run Batch OCR

   • Process all images at once
   • Long images are automatically handled - OCR runs on sections

4. Split for Export (If Needed)

   • If you stitched images but need separate files for final output:
   • Use the Split tool to divide at logical breakpoints
   • Click “Split Images” in the left toolbar
   • Select image and place split line at desired position

Tips for Webtoons

• Stitch for OCR: Combining pages before OCR can improve context for AI translation
• Split for Distribution: Export as separate files for easier distribution
• Check Long Text Boxes: Webtoon speech bubbles can span large areas - verify OCR caught all text

Multi-Chapter Management

For projects spanning multiple chapters or volumes.

Organization Strategy

Option A: One Project Per Chapter

• Create separate .mmtl files for each chapter
• Pros: Smaller files, faster loading, isolated if corruption occurs
• Cons: More files to manage, profile/styles don’t carry over

Option B: Single Project with Multiple Chapters

• Import all chapter images into one project
• Pros: Unified profiles and styles, easier global changes
• Cons: Larger file size, slower operations

Recommended Workflow (Option A)

1. Create Project Template

   • Set up one project with your preferred:
     • OCR settings (text height, confidence)
     • Default text box styles
     • Custom fonts in assets/fonts/
   • Save as template.mmtl

2. Duplicate for New Chapters

   • Open template project
   • Use File > Import Images to replace with new chapter
   • Save As to create chapter_XX.mmtl

3. Consistent Naming

   • Use chapter prefixes in profiles:
     • “Ch1 - User Edit”
     • “Ch1 - Translation”
   • Makes merging chapters easier later

Tips for Multi-Chapter Projects

• Backup Regularly: Save versions at key milestones
• Document Styles: Note font/size combinations used for consistency
• Export in Batches: Process a few chapters at a time to manage workload

Quick OCR Workflow

For when you just need text extraction without translation or styling.

Use Cases

• Extracting text for external translation tools
• Creating searchable archives of comics
• Quick text analysis or word counting

Workflow

1. Create Project

   • New Project → Select images → Create

2. Run Batch OCR

   • Click “Process OCR”
   • Wait for completion

3. Export OCR Results

   • Click the Import/Export Menu (bars icon)
   • Select “Export OCR Results”
   • Choose Master (JSON) format for complete data
   • Or choose For-Translate (XML) for clean text export

4. Done

   • No editing or styling needed
   • Export takes seconds

Tips for Quick OCR

• Adjust OCR Settings First: If text is missed, tweak settings before re-running
• Use XML Export: Clean format for translators or external tools
• Skip Context Fill: Disable “Auto Context Fill” in settings for faster processing

Collaboration Workflow

Working with external translators who don’t use Easy Scanlate.

Workflow for Translator Collaboration

1. Prepare Source Images

   • Create project with original images
   • Run Batch OCR

2. Export for Translation

   • Click Import/Export Menu → “Export OCR Results”
   • Select For-Translate (XML) format
   • Choose “Original” profile
   • Save as project_for_translate.xml

3. Send to Translator

   • Provide XML file and optionally source images
   • Translator edits text within <row_number> tags

4. Import Translations

   • Receive translated XML file
   • Click Import/Export Menu → “Import Translation File”
   • Select the translated file
   • Choose “Create New Profile” and name it (e.g., “Translator A”)

5. Review and Style

   • Switch to the translation profile
   • Review translations in context on images
   • Adjust text box styles as needed
   • Export rendered images

Tips for Collaboration

• Clear Instructions: Tell translators to only edit text between tags, not XML structure
• Version Control: Number translation rounds (“Translation v1”, “Translation v2”)
• Communication: Mark unclear text in the “Original” profile for translator reference
• Quality Check: Always review imported translations before final export

Alternative: Screenshot Method

For translators without XML comfort:

1. Export rendered images with Original text
2. Translator marks up images with corrections
3. You manually input corrections into “User Edit” profile

Quality-Focused Workflow

For projects where accuracy and polish are critical.

Workflow

1. Pre-Processing

   • Clean source images if possible (noise reduction, straightening)
   • Ensure good contrast between text and background

2. Initial OCR

   • Run Batch OCR with default settings
   • Don’t expect perfection - this is a first pass

3. Systematic Review

   • Go through images one by one
   • In Advanced Mode, sort by Confidence column
   • Review all low-confidence results first

4. Manual OCR Pass

   • Add missed text areas
   • Focus on: small text, stylized fonts, text on busy backgrounds

5. Editing Phase

   • Correct all OCR errors
   • Combine split text boxes (Ctrl+G) where needed
   • Delete misdetections

6. Translation Phase

   • Use AI translation
   • Review and edit all translated text
   • Compare with Original profile for context

7. Styling Phase

   • Style one text box perfectly
   • Save as Preset
   • Apply preset to similar text boxes
   • Fine-tune individual boxes as needed

8. Final Review

   • Switch through all profiles to verify
   • Export test image and review at full resolution
   • Make final adjustments

9. Export

   • Save project (Ctrl+S)
   • Export rendered images in highest quality format (PNG)

Tips for Quality Work

• Take Breaks: OCR review is tiring - errors increase with fatigue
• Zoom In: Check text boxes at full zoom to catch alignment issues
• Compare Side-by-Side: Open original image in another viewer for reference
• Save Iterations: Use “Save As” at major milestones

Emergency Recovery Workflow

When things go wrong (corrupted file, accidental deletion, etc.).

If Project Won’t Open

1. Locate the .mmtl file
2. Rename to .zip and extract:

   project.mmtl → project.zip → extract

3. Check contents:
   • images/ folder should contain your images
   • master.json contains OCR data (can be opened in text editor)
   • meta.json contains project settings
4. Create New Project with same images
5. Manual Recovery: Extract text from master.json and re-import

If You Deleted Something Important

1. Check if saved: If you haven’t saved since deletion, close without saving and reopen
2. Check Original profile: Deleted rows may still exist in “Original” profile
3. Re-run OCR: For deleted OCR results, re-run batch or manual OCR

Preventive Measures

• Save frequently (Ctrl+S habit)
• Use “Save As” to create checkpoints (e.g., project_backup_v1.mmtl)
• Keep source images backed up separately
• Export rendered images at milestones

Summary Table

Choose the workflow that matches your project needs, or mix and match techniques from different workflows.