Languages

Install and manage language packs for ImageGlass localization

Language System Overview

ImageGlass supports multiple languages through .iglang.json language pack files. Each language pack contains translations for all UI text, menus, and messages.

Language File Location

Language packs can be installed in two locations:

User Language Packs

%APPDATA%\ImageGlass\Languages\*.iglang.json

User language packs take precedence over built-in packs.

Setting Language

Via Configuration File

Language · string · default: "English"

Language pack filename (with or without .iglang.json extension)

Example: "Language": "Spanish.iglang.json"

Or simply: "Language": "Spanish"

Via Settings UI

1. Open Settings

   Launch ImageGlass → Menu → Settings

2. Navigate to Language

   Click Language in the left sidebar

3. Select Language

   Choose from installed language packs in the dropdown

4. Apply

   Click Apply to switch language immediately

Available Languages

ImageGlass includes these built-in language packs:

English

Default language

Arabic

العربية (ar-SA)

Armenian

Հայերեն

Bulgarian

Български

Catalan

Català

Chinese (Simplified)

简体中文

And many more...

View all languages

Installing Language Packs

1. Download Language Pack

   Get .iglang.json file from:

   • ImageGlass Language Gallery
   • Community translations
   • Create your own
2. Install via Settings

   Option 1: Using ImageGlass Settings

   1. Open Settings → Language tab
   2. Click Install new language packs…
   3. Select one or more .iglang.json files
   4. Click Open to install
3. Install Manually

   Option 2: Manual Installation

   1. Copy .iglang.json file to %APPDATA%\ImageGlass\Languages\
   2. Click Refresh button in Language settings
   3. Select new language from dropdown
4. Apply Language

   The language changes immediately when selected

Language Pack Structure

File Format

Language packs use JSON format:

Example.iglang.json

{
  "_Metadata": {
    "Code": "en-US",
    "EnglishName": "English",
    "LocalName": "English",
    "Author": "ImageGlass Team",
    "MinVersion": "9.0"
  },
  "Items": {
    "FrmMain.MnuFile": "File",
    "FrmMain.MnuOpenFile": "Open file…",
    "FrmMain.MnuSave": "Save",
    "FrmMain.MnuExit": "Exit",
    "_._OK": "OK",
    "_._Cancel": "Cancel"
    // ... hundreds more translations
  }
}

Metadata Section

_Metadata.Code · string · required

ISO language code (e.g., "en-US", "es-ES", "zh-CN")

_Metadata.EnglishName · string · required

Language name in English

Example: "Spanish", "Chinese (Simplified)"

_Metadata.LocalName · string · required

Language name in the native language

Example: "Español", "简体中文"

_Metadata.Author · string

Name(s) of translator(s)

Example: "John Doe, Jane Smith"

_Metadata.MinVersion · string · required

Minimum ImageGlass version required

Current: "9.0" or "9.3"

Translation Items

The Items object contains key-value pairs:

• Key: Internal string identifier (don’t change)
• Value: Translated text in your language

Items.{KeyName} · string

Translation for a specific UI element

Special characters:

• {0}, {1}, etc. - Placeholders for dynamic values (preserve these!)
• … (U+2026) - Ellipsis character
• \r\n - Line breaks

Example:

"FrmMain.MnuSave._Success": "Image saved to {0}"

Always preserve placeholders like {0}, {1} in your translations - they are replaced with dynamic values at runtime

Creating a Language Pack

1. Export English Template

   1. Open ImageGlass Settings → Language
   2. Select English language
   3. Click Export language pack…
   4. Save as YourLanguage.iglang.json
2. Edit Metadata

   Open the file and update metadata:

   {
     "_Metadata": {
       "Code": "es-ES",
       "EnglishName": "Spanish",
       "LocalName": "Español",
       "Author": "Your Name",
       "MinVersion": "9.0"
     }
   }
   
3. Translate Items

   Translate each string in the Items section:

   Before:

   "FrmMain.MnuOpenFile": "Open file…"
   

   After:

   "FrmMain.MnuOpenFile": "Abrir archivo…"
   

   Use a JSON editor with validation to avoid syntax errors
4. Test Translation

   1. Save the file
   2. Install it via Settings → Language
   3. Select your language
   4. Check all UI elements for correctness
5. Submit to Community

   Share your translation:

   • Submit to ImageGlass
   • Help other users in your language

Translation Guidelines

String Length

Keep translations similar in length to English text when possible. Very long translations may be truncated in the UI.

Placeholders

Preserve all placeholders in the correct order:

// ✅ Correct
"FrmExportFrames._Exporting": "Exportando {0}/{1} fotogramas\r\n{2}…"

// ❌ Wrong - missing placeholders
"FrmExportFrames._Exporting": "Exportando fotogramas…"

// ❌ Wrong - wrong order
"FrmExportFrames._Exporting": "Exportando {1}/{0} fotogramas…"

Special Characters

• Ellipsis: Use … (U+2026), not ... (three periods)
• Line breaks: Use \r\n for new lines
• Quotes: Use proper typographic quotes for your language
• Ampersands: & for keyboard shortcuts (e.g., "&File" for Alt+F)

Context Awareness

Some keys have contextual suffixes:

• ._Description - Descriptive text or help message
• ._Error - Error message
• ._Success - Success message
• ._Tooltip - Tooltip text

Example:

"FrmMain.MnuSave": "Save",
"FrmMain.MnuSave._Success": "Image saved successfully",
"FrmMain.MnuSave._Error": "Could not save the image"

Updating Existing Translations

1. Check for New Strings

   Compare your language pack with the latest English version:

   1. Export current English pack
   2. Compare with your translation
   3. Find missing keys
2. Add Missing Translations

   Add new keys to your Items section

3. Update MinVersion

   Update _Metadata.MinVersion to current ImageGlass version

4. Test

   Verify new strings appear correctly in ImageGlass

Language Pack Management

Refresh Language List

After manually copying language files:

1. Open Settings → Language
2. Click Refresh button
3. New languages appear in dropdown

Viewing Contributors

1. Open Settings → Language
2. Select a language
3. Click Contributors to see translator names

Exporting Your Current Language

1. Settings → Language
2. Select active language
3. Click Export language pack…
4. Save for backup or sharing

Common Translation Keys

General UI

Buttons

"_._OK": "OK",
"_._Cancel": "Cancel",
"_._Apply": "Apply",
"_._Close": "Close",
"_._Save": "Save",
"_._Delete": "Delete"

Settings Tabs

"FrmSettings.Nav._General": "General",
"FrmSettings.Nav._Image": "Image",
"FrmSettings.Nav._Viewer": "Viewer",
"FrmSettings.Nav._Toolbar": "Toolbar",
"FrmSettings.Nav._Gallery": "Gallery",
"FrmSettings.Nav._Language": "Language",
"FrmSettings.Nav._Appearance": "Appearance"

Troubleshooting

Language pack doesn't appear

• Verify .iglang.json file extension
• Check JSON syntax is valid (use a validator)
• Ensure _Metadata section is complete
• Click Refresh in Language settings

Some text stays in English

• Translation key may be missing from your language pack
• Compare with latest English version for new keys
• Add missing translations to Items section

Text appears as key names

• JSON syntax error in language file
• Missing or incorrect translation value
• Validate JSON structure

Special characters display incorrectly

• Ensure file is saved as UTF-8 encoding
• Use proper JSON escape sequences
• Check for BOM (Byte Order Mark) issues

Contributing Translations

Help make ImageGlass accessible to more users:

1. Check existing translations at ImageGlass Languages
2. Create or improve a language pack
3. Submit via:
   • GitHub Pull Request
   • Email to ImageGlass team
   • Community forums

Your contribution will be credited in the language pack metadata and ImageGlass about dialog

See Also

Settings Overview

Configuration basics

Themes

Visual customization