Write in unsupported languages

Not all languages are available in the VideoScribe ‘Add text’ feature but it is possible to create text that animates in VideoScribe for any language by following the instructions below

To see a full list of the languages supported and the fonts that can be used for each language please see the supported languages and fonts article.

If your preferred alphabet isn't currently supported, follow the instructions below to import your text as an SVG image.

Import text as an SVG image file 

There are two ways of creating text as an SVG; an easy way and a bit more complicated way that has better results.

Method 1 - Quick and easy

Step 1 - Install and open Inkscape (free image-editing software)

Step 2 - Select the type character in the sidebar (A) and write or copy/paste your text into Inkscape (B)

Step 3 - Select ‘Path’ (C) from the menu above and then ‘Object to path’ (D) to convert your text into an SVG image

Step 4 - Go to ‘File’ (E), ‘Save as’ (F)

Step 5 - Name the file (G), ensure the file type is SVG (H) and Save (I)

Step 6 - Import this SVG as an image into VideoScribe

• If you are not sure how to do this please follow the steps on our Import images help page.
• The outline will draw before the image is filled but you will still be able to read the text as it is being drawn and it will become clearer at the end. 

Method 2 - Detailed and high-quality results

Here are more detailed instructions for getting text to draw well in VideoScribe by creating a text image using Inkscape, a free SVG editor. The following instructions will take a little more time to complete but the result will be a much more realistic animation in VideoScribe.

Step 1 - Install and open Inkscape (free image-editing software)

Step 2 - Select the type character in the sidebar (J) and type or copy/paste your text into Inkscape (K)

Step 3 - Go to ‘File’ (L), ‘Export PNG Image…’ (M)

Step 4 - Click on ‘Export’ (N)

We use the following settings when exporting:

• Export the selection (O)
• A minimum of 150 dpi (dots per inch) - the higher the DPI the better the image quality (P)

Step 5 - Delete the text from Inkscape

Step 6 - Import the Bitmap/JPG image that you just exported 

• Go to ‘File’ (Q) then ‘Import..’. (R) and select Embed

• Find the file (S) and click open (T)

• Ensure Embed (U) is selected and click OK (V)

Step 7 - When you have the image on the canvas use the Pencil tool (W) to trace over the letters of the text (X) in the same way you would if you were writing it

• These lines are what VideoScribe will follow to draw the text. The more care you take getting this right the better the result will be in VideoScribe.
• In this example, I have used one continuous stroke, you can break it down to a stroke per character if you prefer

Step 8 - Select all the Pencil strokes that you just created and select ‘Path’ (Y), ‘Simplify’ (Z) from the menu

Step 9 - With the paths still selected, select ‘Object’ (AA), ‘Fill and Stroke’ (AB) from the menu

Step 10 - From the ‘Stroke style’ tab (AC), Increase the stroke width value (AD) so the text image is covered

Step 11 - From the ‘Stroke paint’ tab (AE) set the Alpha value to zero (AF) so it is invisible

Step 12 - Go to ‘File’ (AG), ‘Save as’ (AH) 

Step 13 - Name the file (AI), ensure the file type is SVG (AJ) and Save (AK)

Step 14 - Import this SVG as an image into VideoScribe

• If you are not sure how to do this please follow the steps on our Import images help page.

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