Multilizer components

Multilizer components are intended for Delphi/C++Builder developers that want to localize their software and make it truly multilingual. The components introduce a unique Dictionary-Translator Architecture for software localization.

Background

Multilizer components have been developed since 1995/96 until 2002/03 (Multilizer (“Innoview Multilanguage”) versions 1.0-5.1). In version 6 components were not updated, because Multilizer's binary localization method was mature enough with it's accompanying localization API.

Binary localization was much easier and had less impact on source code.

However, feedback from developers has proven that there are situations where binary localization is far from enough. That's the reason that components are re-introduced in 2006.

Dictionary-Translator Architecture

Multilizer components localize the software by using the unique dictionary-translator architecture; translator components automatically translate forms on run-time using translations provided by the dictionary component.

Translations are stored in a file (AKA dictionary) that dictionary component uses. To support different dictionary formats as translation storage there are different dictionary components.

New ResDLLDictionary component

Multilizer application has been used for picking translations from the source code, for translating, and for creating a dictionary that is used by the dictionary component.

Multilizer 6.x is not capable of scanning the source code or writing any of the previously supported dictionary formats. Instead it writes out resource dll's; these can be read by the new ResDLLDictionary component.

How to localize the software

You need to just drop IvResDLLDictionary on application mainform, and IvTranslator on forms that need to be translated. Set a few properties to tell dictionary component the location of resource dll's. Set startup language and run the software! (Click the picture to enlarge).

Switch language on run-time

Freely change language on run-time by setting the IvResDLLDictionary.Language property. Or use SelectLanguage function to display a language change dialog.

Multilizer components smoothly iterate through the captions of the user interface anc change the texts to active language.

Use OnLanguageChange event, if you want to do further language-based customization.

Create resource dll's

IvResDLLDictionary uses standard resource dll's as translation storage. These can be created with Delphi ITE for example. Resource dll's are binary files that contain the translated and compiled resources (forms, strings, etc.). Each language is stored in one dll.

See Delphi help for more information. My personal favorite is to create resource dll's is Multilizer.