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PaintTool SAI — Changing Language

PaintTool SAI's interface language is determined by the files included with the version you install. Official SAI releases typically ship in Japanese with an English translation available; community-made language patches can add other languages. To change the language:

  1. Check app version:

    • If you have SAI2 (modern fork), it often includes an English installer or language selection during setup.
    • Original SAI may require a translated EXE or language file.

  2. Look for a language option in settings:

    • Open SAI, go to the top menu (often the gear or “Others/Preferences” menu), and scan for a language or locale setting. Not all builds have this.

  3. Replace language files (common method):

    • Locate the SAI installation folder.
    • Back up original files (always).
    • Download a trusted language pack or a translated resource file (e.g., a .ini or .lng) from a reputable source or the developer’s site.
    • Place the language file into the program folder, replacing the original if instructed.
    • Restart SAI.

  4. Use a translated executable:

    • Some community patches replace the main EXE with a translated version. Only download from trusted communities to avoid malware.
    • Again, back up originals before replacing.

  5. If no language pack is available:

    • Use the English-translated help or UI guides alongside the original program.
    • Consider switching to SAI2 or an alternative painting app that includes multilingual support.

  6. Safety and compatibility:

    • Always download language files from reputable sources (official site, major art communities).
    • Scan downloads for malware.
    • Language patches may break automatic updates or cause instability—keep backups.

If you tell me your SAI version (SAI 1.x or SAI2) and which language you want, I can give step-by-step instructions and suggest trusted sources.

1. For Paint Tool SAI 2 (The Easy Way)

If you are using the modern version (Ver 2), the developers have streamlined the process, assuming you have the correct translation files installed. paint tool sai change language

  1. Open Paint Tool SAI 2.
  2. Navigate to the top menu bar.
  3. Go to Other (その他) > Options (オプション).
  4. In the "General" tab, look for Language (言語).
  5. Select English from the dropdown menu.
  6. Click OK. You may need to restart the program for changes to take effect.

Q: Can I change SAI language to Spanish / French / German?

A: There is no official translation for Spanish, French, or German. However, fan translations exist. You must download a fan-made "language pack" which replaces the sai.exe or adds a .lang file to Ver. 2. Search for "SAI Spanish patch" – but beware of malware.

Part 7: The "No Install" Fix – Portable English Builds

For advanced users or those who frequently switch computers, portable versions of SAI exist that bypass the registry and locale entirely.

If you search for "PaintTool SAI Portable English," you can find builds that:

  • Are pre-configured to English.
  • Run entirely from a USB drive.
  • Do not touch your system locale.

How to use them:

  1. Download a reliable portable English build (from trusted digital art communities like DeviantArt or Reddit’s r/PaintToolSAI).
  2. Extract to a folder (e.g., D:\SAI_Portable).
  3. Run sai.exe. It will be in English regardless of your Windows language.

Legal note: Portable builds are often modified executables. They violate the SAI EULA unless you inject your own license key. Use only if you own a valid license and are comfortable with patching.

Q: I pressed something and now all menus are gone. Help.

A: You accidentally hid the menu bar. Press the F12 key. That toggles full-screen and menu visibility. If that fails, delete SAI.settings in the SAI folder to reset the UI.

Part 7: Restoring Original Language

To revert to Japanese:

  • v1: Restore your backed-up sai.exe.res or language.conf.
  • v2: Change Language = japanese in language.conf and ensure sai2.exe.ja.res exists in the lang folder.

Step 2: Look for language files or specific DLLs

Inside the folder, look for these files: Check app version:

  • sai.exe (Japanese)
  • sai_en.exe (English)
  • saicnv.exe (Converter tool)
  • Files named lang_ja.ini or lang_en.ini (rare, but some repacks have these)