Apple DVD Studio Pro 4 - Manual (Page 467)

You can also modify all of the subtitles in a stream by using the Apply to Stream controls.
See
Applying Subtitle Settings to the Stream for more information.
Creating an STL Format Subtitle File
An easy and flexible way to create subtitle files is to use the STL format developed by
Spruce Technologies. The STL format allows you to configure most subtitle settings, and
change the settings on a subtitle by subtitle basis. It supports both the single file method
and the graphics file method, and even allows you to use both methods in the same file.
STL format files can be saved as either plain text files or as RTF files (as created with
TextEdit). You must use RTF files if your text contains Unicode characters.
Basic STL Format
There are three parts to an STL format subtitle file: commands, comments, and entries.
• Commands: These are preceded by the dollar sign ($). It is these commands that allow
you to configure the various aspects of the subtitles, such as their font and position.
See
STL Commands for more information.
• Comments: These are preceded by a double slash (//). These allow you to add text
comments throughout the subtitle file without affecting its import.
• Entries: These include the start and end timecode values and the text or graphics file
for that subtitle clip.
Following is an example of a simple STL subtitle file.
$FontName = Arial
$FontSize = 65
//The following subtitles are for scene one.
00:00:12:04 , 00:00:14:12 , Lemurs are the bullies of the wild.
00:00:16:14 , 00:00:19:08 , Here we see them bring down a moose.
Commands, which are always preceded by a dollar sign, use the equal sign (=) to separate
the command name from its value. The entries use commas to separate their fields. In
both cases, you can add tab characters to align the fields and make the file easier to read.
Note: If you add spaces between the comma and the text entry, they are considered part
of the text and appear in the subtitle. You can use the tab character to provide space
between the comma and the text entry without affecting the text.
You can add a command multiple times within a file to change a setting for specific
subtitles.
$FontName = Arial
467 Chapter 19 Creating Subtitles