🖼️ How to translate Adobe Illustrator files

This guide shows you how to extract, translate, and reimport text in Adobe Illustrator using Redokun's free scripts. It's ideal for designers who want to streamline translation without losing formatting or layout.

🎬 Preview: How the process works

Want a quick look at what this workflow looks like in action?

Watch this short video to see how the Illustrator scripts streamline translation from start to finish—once they’re installed and ready to use.

📅 1. Install the Illustrator scripts

To get started, you’ll need to install Redokun’s scripts in Adobe Illustrator:

1. Download the scripts from the Redokun website.

   Locate the Scripts folder on your computer:

   • On Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [version]\Presets\en_US\Scripts\
   • On macOS: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator [version]/Presets/en_US/Scripts/
2. Copy the .jsx files into the Scripts folder.
3. Restart Illustrator to load the new scripts.

📄 2. Export text from Illustrator

To extract the text from one or more Adobe Illustrator files using Redokun’s script:

1. Open Adobe Illustrator.
2. Make sure your file is ready. If you have an Illustrator document open, ensure it contains the text you want to extract. If no documents are open, that’s fine — skip to the next step.

3. Run the export script.

   Go to the File menu → Scripts → redokun_export-text.jsx.

   Choose your files.

   • If you have documents open, the script will extract text from those files only.
   • If no files are open, Illustrator will prompt you to select a folder. It will then extract the text from all Illustrator files inside that folder.

4. Name and save the JSON file.

   Choose a name and location for the file that will store the extracted text, then click Save.

You’ll now have a .json  file that contains all the extracted text, ready to upload to Redokun.

🌍 2. Upload, translate, and download in Redokun

Redokun makes it easy to speed up and collaborate on translations:

• Use Pre-Translate to automatically fill in content from your Translation Memory or AI Translation.
• Work together with your team to review and refine translations online.

Once you have your .json F file:

1. Upload the file to your Document List.
2. Choose your source language and add one or more target languages.
3. Assign translators, translate online or offline, then confirm all segments.
4. Download the translated XLIFF file when finished.

📁 4. Import the translated text back into Illustrator

Once your JSON file has been translated and downloaded from Redokun:

1. Make a backup of your Illustrator files. We recommend working on a copy of the original files to avoid losing the source content.
2. Ensure file names match. The Illustrator files used during import must have the same names as the ones used during export.
3. Open Adobe Illustrator.

4. Run the import script.

   Go to File → Scripts → redokun_import-text.jsx.

   Choose your Illustrator files.

   • If you have documents open, the script will update those.
   • If no files are open, you’ll be prompted to select the folder containing your Illustrator files.
5. Select the translated JSON file when prompted.
6. Redokun will update each Illustrator file by replacing the original text with the translated text.

That’s it! Your Illustrator files are now fully translated — no need to manually copy and paste.

⚠️ Known limitations

• Formatting (e.g., bold or italics) may not be preserved.
• Outlined text cannot be extracted or replaced—make sure all text is editable.
• Changes after export: If the files are edited post-export, re-export the text to avoid issues.

By following these steps, you can efficiently translate your Adobe Illustrator files without compromising layout or quality.