Automatic double dialogue left aligned

[AngusMacGyver]

Hi, people!
After years, I decided to post again.
I'd like to know if there's a way to align double dialogues (those that have two people talking, where there are two indents) in the way commercial DVDs are. Vobsub is generally configured to centralize or left align all, but I'd like it centralize just normal subtitles.
I hope I made you understand what I mean.

Thank you in advance.

[manono]

I hope I made you understand what I mean.

Not really. Since VobSubs are "commercial" DVD subtitles, I'm not sure what the distinction is.

There's no reason you can't align your subs any way you like, though. It sounds like one heck of a lot of work, going over it line by line.

[AngusMacGyver]

Thanks for the post.
VobSub can insert (via vsfilter.dll) fixed subtitles on video.

I'd like it'd do like this:

[______- Line 1 of dialogue_________________ ]
[______- Line 2___________________________]

[ and ] are limits of screen. _ = space.

Insted of (always centralized):

[__________-Line 1 of dialogue______________]
[______________-Line 2___________________ ]

or (always left aligned):

[ -Line 1 of dialogue_______________________]
[ -Line 2_________________________________]

I hope, now, you understand me.

Thanks again

[manono]

Yes, now I think I understand, and I didn't understand before. Thanks for the detailed explanation.

So, you want to align text-based subtitles - ones in SRT or SSA format, for example - to display the way you described when watching on a computer? If so, I know of no way to make that happen. Maybe someone that knows more about it than I (AlanHK?) can offer help.

If you want to create subtitles for DVD as you described, I think it can be done, but not having done it myself I can't offer advice on how to create such subtitles.

[AngusMacGyver]

Thank you, again.

Maybe it can't be done, at least with the last vobsub version (2.23). It's curious it haven't been updated.

[conax]

Hi, AngusMacGyver.
This was my problem too.

I found the solution, even if I have to manage .ssa subtitles by hand.

If you want, you can read my guide in this post.

[Lippy Lipstick]

What you actually want is to align the shortest line to the long line in case
you deal with two persons in one subtitle (indicated by an indent at the
beginning)

It can be done, but I'm afraid you need expensive professional subtitling
software like Spot, FAB, Scantitling or Screen, which have this option.

A workaround which I sometimes use making hardsubs with virtualdub
and the textsub-filter is to split an SRT-file into separate files which I then
can adjust independently to the appropriate settings. I then frameserve it
to the DVD-authoring software.

[AngusMacGyver]

Hi, AngusMacGyver.
This was my problem too.

I found the solution, even if I have to manage .ssa subtitles by hand.

If you want, you can read my guide in this post.

Thank you very much.
I'm going to read that guide and post the results.

Thanks again.

[AngusMacGyver]

EDIT

[AngusMacGyver]

What you actually want is to align the shortest line to the long line in case
you deal with two persons in one subtitle (indicated by an indent at the
beginning)

It can be done, but I'm afraid you need expensive professional subtitling
software like Spot, FAB, Scantitling or Screen, which have this option.

A workaround which I sometimes use making hardsubs with virtualdub
and the textsub-filter is to split an SRT-file into separate files which I then
can adjust independently to the appropriate settings. I then frameserve it
to the DVD-authoring software.

Hi!
You got it. I've done like you. I'd like to know if there was a free software that did it automatically.
Thanks for your post.
Sicerelly.

Rafael

[Lippy Lipstick]

To my knowledge no freeware can do this. Don't know your workflow,
but some DVD-author systems give several options when importing
subtitle scripts, but having said, this is payware, so I'm afraid you're stuck
to a workaround loke Conax mentioned or search and try all freeware.

The term used for the aligned you want is often called 'Left centered'.

[AngusMacGyver]

Yes, thank you again.
I will do like I always did.
I'd like to thank you for your tips.

Rafael.