TextractorCLI

Extract text from visual novels and video games using a text hooker program.

About Integration

VNTranslator serves as the translation engine endpoint in this integration. Textractor performs the actual text hooking and injection into the game process. If you encounter issues with specific games, please check the Textractor GitHub Issues page for game-specific troubleshooting and solutions.

Important Notice

Textractor is not actively developed anymore. As a result, some newer visual novel games may not work properly.

Alternative Solution: You can update the texthook.dll file located in your Textractor installation folder with a newer version that is still being maintained by the community to improve compatibility with recent games.

See the following references:

• Community discussion and alternative builds

• Updated texthook.dll information

• Latest community updates

Integration Methods

There are two ways to integrate Textractor with VNTranslator:

Method 1: TextractorCLI (Command-line Integration)

This method uses the command-line version of Textractor for direct integration.

Method 2: Clipboard Integration (Recommended Alternative)

This method uses the Textractor GUI application with the "Copy to Clipboard" extension, combined with VNTranslator's Clipboard Translator feature. This approach is more stable and easier to set up.

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Method 1: TextractorCLI Integration

Get Started

To get started, you need to download Textractor and configure it in VNTranslator.

Step 1: Download & Install Textractor

• Visit the Textractor Github releases page

• Download the Textractor-5.x.x-Setup.exe file

• Run the installer and follow the installation prompts

Step 2: Configure the integration

• Open Settings in VNTranslator

• In the left sidebar, click Modules

• Click the TextractorCLI tab

• In the TextractorCLI Path field, enter the path to TextractorCLI.exe Example paths:

  • C:\Textractor\x86\TextractorCLI.exe (for 32-bit)

  • C:\Textractor\x64\TextractorCLI.exe (for 64-bit)

Step 3: Launch with VNTranslator

• Select TextractorCLI from the module list

• Select the Game Process

• Select Extra Window from the output list

• Click the Start button

Important: Antivirus Exception

You must add TextractorCLI.exe as an exception in both Windows Defender and your antivirus software. Text hooking programs are often flagged as potentially malicious because they inject code into running processes.

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Method 2: Clipboard Integration (Recommended)

This method uses the Textractor GUI program (Textractor.exe) with its built-in "Copy to Clipboard" extension, combined with VNTranslator's Clipboard Translator feature.

Step 1: Enable Copy to Clipboard Extension in Textractor

1. Launch Textractor.exe (not TextractorCLI.exe)

2. In the Textractor window, click on Extensions

3. In the Extensions window, right-click and select "Add extension"

4. A file browser will appear. Navigate to and select "Copy to Clipboard.xdll"

5. Once added, the extension will be automatically enabled and will copy extracted text to your clipboard

Step 2: Clipboard Translator in VNTranslator

1. Open VNTranslator

2. Select Clipboard from the module list

3. Select Extra Window from the output list

4. Click the Start button

Step 3: Attach Textractor to Your Game

1. Launch your visual novel or game

2. In Textractor, click Attach to game or use the Process menu

3. Select your game's process from the list

4. Textractor will begin hooking text from the game

Step 4: Select the Correct Text Hook

1. Advance the text in your game (click through dialogue)

2. In Textractor, you will see multiple text threads appear

3. Click on different threads to identify which one contains the game dialogue

4. Once you find the correct thread, Textractor will automatically copy the text to clipboard

5. VNTranslator will detect the clipboard change and display the translation