Welcome to m33w. The following is a short guide to get yourself started if you're new to fansubbbing. If you've fansubbed before then all this are probably quite obvious, but might be worth a quick read.

FIRST, register yourself on the forum and the cbox.
http://brigade.baka-wolf.com
We use the forums to communicate with our leechers and such.

Programs

The following are the general programs you'll need to get. If you're an encoder, you're expected to know what programs are needed.

• Aegisub
  This program is used to place subtitles onto a raw video file. It is probably the best subtitling program by far out there, even though it's still in the beta stage and not 100% stable. Make sure you also install the VS filter and AVIsynth when prompted while you are running the aegisub setup. This program is free. However, you may donate to the makers if you like the program.

• Filezilla
  Filezilla is an FTP program. We store our work files on several private ftps. Details of the FTPs are restricted to staff members only.

  
  

  Don't delete files unecessarily. And place files into the correct folders. It will get very confusing once a large number of files clogs up the same folder uncategorized.

• Share
  Not entirely necessary, but it's good to have as it's popular among the Japanese and thus alot of raw anime and manga is available on Share. If that doesn't convince you, then there's alot of porn on it as well. The minimum upload is 50kB so files move very quickly on Share. Other popular Japanese p2p programs are WinNY and WinMX.

  
  

  Read this guide carefully. Ask one of the members for a copy of share.

Translator Quick Guide

If you're a translator, make sure you get the programs above. Others, please read this section too, as you're expected to know what the translator does and what files are produced. Aegisub is a very easy program to use. Start by loading the video into Aegisub. Alt-V, Open Video. Then load in the audio by pressing, Alt-A, Open Audio from Video. To get a better understanding, just try grabbing any of the .ass(advance sub-station alpha) files from the ftp along with the appropriate raw. From there, it should be easy to understand how Aegisub works.

For whatever show you are translating, you are expected to also translate the signs. Clearly mark the signs so that the typesetters can find them easily. Label files this way (Everyone else is expected to do the same):
[Series Name]_[Episode Number]_[File Function]_[notes]_[version number].ass
e.g. Itakiss_01_TL_[edited]_v1.2.ass

Version numbering is very important as several people will be making use of the same file. It will get very, very confusing if multiple copies of the same file are created with identical names. Naming files correctly is a must as once files acculmulates, you'll definitely lose track.

Typesetter Quick Guide

Typesetters are hired to place signs and do the overall styling for episode like colours and such. Signs are normally done in ass format in Aegisub.

For advanced functions, read this Advance Sub-Station Alpha Guide. This knowledge is needed to produce correctly positioned signs and such. You're expected to know these functions well.

More advanced typesetters would also know how to design and style karaoke. Even more advanced is LUA programming which can allow you to achieve extremely advanced effects in ass. However, good programming knowledge of LUA scripting is required. Also, search for OverLUA. It's a tool to help do karaoke more efficiently or something rather.

Lastly, another tool often used is Adobe After Effects. Whatever that cannot be achieved using ass can be done using AFX. Examples are logos and complex eye catches. However, a great deal of artistic skill and technical understanding of the plugins are required to achieve decent results in AFX. Also, it can be used to design karaokes. When producing video files from AFX, make sure they are in the RGB32 colour format. It must have the alpha channel else the video cannot be merged with the anime raw.

Timing Guide

Click here for the timing guide.

Editor Mini Guide

The job of the editor is to make sure the subs are in well-formed, readable and in natural English. However, because translations from one language to another aren't so straight-forward, one must be careful not to alter the meanings unintentionally. The editor should also make sure that the subs adhere to the timing conventions as listed above. Also, keep this in mind; The subs are in English, and the audio is in Japanese. One is text and one is voice. They are different and should be treated differently.

Please also read the timer guide to gain a better understanding of timing pracices and be able to fix errors on your own. Editors should be able to correct all aspects of the script. Also in the timer guide, there is a section on styling there which everyone should be aware of. The idea is so that everyone thinks uniformly and follows a certain convention. It can get very confusing when everyone has a different idea of what's right and what's wrong.

The following is a general guideline of the editing conventions of m33w:

• The less time people spend reading subs, the more time there is to watch the show. Use this as your base. If a word adds no value, such as non-words like umms and ahhs, or stutters, then it's probably best to drop them. Judge by, "is it worth reading?"

 
• Do not include stutters. It lowers readability and it really has no meaning. Use discretion.

 
• Avoid repetitions. When someone says "No, no, no, no.", they really just mean no. Use own discretion.

 
• Avoid using slang, especially those limited to a certain region. It should be as universally understandable as possible.

 
• Words like kinda, wanna, gonna are frowned upon. However, in my opinion, they are fine as it is contemporary usage and is a valid contraction just like I'm, you're, won't, etc.

 
• Try to keep sentences concise.

 
• Ignore laughs and background noise. However, there are exceptions. Use discretion.

 

Punctuations:
Different people have different ideas on what constitutes correct punctuation. This section will be expanded to include this information in the future. For the time being, let's use this guide as a reference.

Encoder Quick Guide

Pray BiGGuY writes one. :D In the meantime please read www.doom9.org to get started on the basics (and even advanced stuff).

QC Guide

1. We no longer produce a QC video. Generally, you grab the raw and the .ass file and watch them together. You may find the raws on our secret box or just get them from TokyoTosho.


2. Now that you have the video file, view it using your favorite media player. Please watch the whole episode including the ED and OP themes, and also the next episode preview. Note: it is no longer important to bother with the OP and ED. You may also QC on aegisub if it's easier.


3. If you find any mistakes, just put it in a simple text file. No word documents, because they take too long to load. Also, you should report errors directly on the staff channel so that everyone can review it. Using the text file is for archiving purposes. Label the text file with the anime title, episode number, script version and your nick and upload it to the FTP.


4. Mention the exact time on the video and describe the error, and suggest a fix if necessary. Example:
   12:01 - "Poeple" should be "People"
   14:22 - Timing is too fast.
   18:03 - I don't understand this sentence. Perhaps reword?
   


5. We will then compile all the mistakes and make fixes. I may not agree with your suggestion and thus it will not be implemented. Changes are not implemented blindly.


6. Contacts:
   xess(xess@m33w-fansubs.com)
   tun(tun@m33w-fansubs.com)
   Korokun(dog_man32@hotmail.com)

Subbing Process

1. We obtain the on the day the show airs. A nice raw is chosen. Everyone working on the show is expected to get the raw.
2. Translation begins immediately and is done in a total of roughly 4-5 hours. Timing and signs are also done here. We do not use timers. Allow a day or two for the translation to complete.
3. The translation goes through a translation check for any mistakes. Suggestions and corrections are noted in a separate file.
4. Editing begins straight after the TL is complete. Everything is expected to be correct and there should be no errors after this step if done properly.
5. The necessary typesetting is done and added.
6. QC commences once the edit is done. This is an optional step.
7. The episode is encoded.
8. One final check is done on the encoded episode to make sure things are in order.
9. Episode is uploaded onto the DLL and BT bots and is released.