Importing PDF Scripts

This guide shows you how to convert PDF scripts into text in StageText to quickly start your subtitle project.

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PDF files are processed only on your device.

  • Files are not uploaded anywhere
  • Works without an internet connection (on macOS, internet connection is required once on first run)
  • All processing is completed locally

Starting PDF Import

There are two ways to import a PDF script:

Method 1: Start from Menu

  1. Click File → Import from PDF in the top menu bar

Method 2: Use Keyboard Shortcut

  1. Press ⌘ + Shift + P

Selecting a PDF File

  1. When the file selection dialog opens, select the PDF file to import
  2. Click the Open button

Wait a moment and the import will be complete!

Additional Work After Conversion

The project converted from PDF has only the basic structure. Improve its completeness through the following steps:

1. Check and Adjust Cue Divisions

  • Verify that automatically divided cues are appropriate
  • Merge or split cues as needed

2. Configure Tracks

  • Add necessary tracks besides dialogue (sound effects, narration, etc.)

3. Apply Character Styles

  • Refer to Step 4 of Basic Usage to create and apply character-specific styles

4. Styling

  • Set default styles for each track
  • Adjust text size, color, alignment, etc.

Tips

PDF Compatibility and Precautions

StageText's PDF import feature only works with text-based PDFs. Scanned PDFs are not supported.

100% accuracy is not guaranteed

Depending on the PDF encoding format, the following issues may occur:

  • Spacing may be corrupted
  • Dialogue continuing across pages may not be recognized
  • Errors due to special characters or fonts

Always check and correct the content after conversion.

Well-Recognized Script Formats

Works best with the following formats:

  1. Speaker names are aligned to the far left of the document
  2. Speaker names and dialogue have sufficient spacing between them
  3. Stage directions have different indentation from speaker names

Example of an Easily Recognized Script Format

Workspace screen

Next Steps

Once PDF import is complete: