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
$FontSize = 65
00:00:12:04 , 00:00:14:12 , Lemurs are the bullies of the wild.
$FontSize = 50
00:00:16:14 , 00:00:19:08 , Here we see them bring down a moose.
In this case, both subtitles will use the same font, with the first one at a size of 65 and
the second one at 50.