ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

This program converts text files that use the Asian Classics (ACIP) Tibetan transliteration scheme into Rich Text Format (RTF) files.  The resulting RTF files are placed in the same directory as the source files and are given the same name but with the new file extension ".rtf".  Since the resulting RTF files encode Tibetan using the Sambhota fonts, you must have the chosen Sambhota font sets active in your system for the Tibetan to display properly.

Multiple fonts are needed in order to produce the many different Tibetan letter forms and certain older software applications might not be able process the RTF files correctly.  However, the WordPad accessory in Windows95 along with most current versions of popular word processing programs are able to display these RTF files properly.

Microsoft Word Users:  Line-breaking, which normally occurs at a "tsek", does not function properly in Word97 but does work correctly in Word6.0 and Word95.  Typing of Tibetan or mixed Tibetan and English is made easy by special keyboard programs that run in either Word6.0 or Word95; check the Nitartha website (http://www.nitartha.org) for how to obtain these keyboards and for news on the availability of updated versions of Sambhota.


HOW TO USE THIS PROGRAM

Standard Conversion

In order to convert any file using the Asian Classics transliteration scheme, you need to do the following:

1. Select the Tibetan Font

If the text contains both Tibetan and English, you should choose either Esama (TrueType) or Esamafont (Postscript).  Note that TrueType is directly supported by Windows whereas Postscript will require Adobe Type Manager (ATM).  

If the text only contains Tibetan and uses multiple point sizes then you should choose either Sama (TrueType) or Samafont (Postscript).

2. Set the point size for the Normal Tibetan and Small Tibetan.

Usually 28 points is a good size for Normal Tibetan.  

3. Check Keep Carriage Returns for lists.

If the Tibetan text to be converted is a glossary or list requiring a carriage return at the end of each line, check this box.  For free flowing text, do not check this box.

4. Click on the directory containing the file(s) to be converted and then click on the file(s). 

If you hold the Ctrl down and click at the same time you can select multiple files.  You can also use the shift key and drag the mouse to select multiple files that are listed adjacent to one another in the file list.

5. Press the Convert button.

A window will pop-up showing the status of the conversion. 



Wild Card Conversion

Wild Card Conversion can be used when you need to convert files in an entire directory subtree.  In order to use Wild Card Conversion you need to do the following:

1. Follow steps 1-3 in the Standard Conversion discussion above.

2. Select Wild Card Conversion under the File menu.

3. In the drive/directory windows, click on the base directory of the directory subtree you are interested in converting.

For example, if you wish to convert all *.txt files on the C drive you should choose C:\ in the drive window.

4. Enter the file name pattern of the files to be converted in the File Name Pattern box.

For example, *.txt could be entered here.  

5. Press the Select Files button.

A file list will appear at the bottom of the dialog window.  If you hold the Ctrl down and click at the same time you can select multiple files.  You can also use the shift key and drag the mouse to select multiple files that are listed adjacent to one another in the file list.

6. Press the Convert Files button.

A window will pop-up showing the status of the conversion. 
  
