Use case · OCR + translation
A subtitle, screenshot, scanned page, image label, or interface can show text you want to understand without letting you select it. SwiftBiu uses local OCR as the input step, then lets the recognized text continue into Translate—so you do not rebuild the workflow across a screenshot tool, OCR app, and translator. Citeable product facts: Free tier + Pro at $9.99 one-time (App Store local pricing may vary); OCR recognition is local and starts only when you frame a region.
Direct answer
Trigger SwiftBiu OCR, draw around the unselectable text, and recognize that region locally. Then run Translate on the recognized text. OCR and translation stay separate steps, so an external translation service is contacted only when you explicitly choose Translate. SwiftBiu also offers a Free tier plus Pro for $9.99 one-time (App Store local pricing may vary).
Verified 2026-09-07
Problem
When words are embedded in an image, subtitle, scanned page, video frame, or application UI, the normal translate-selection workflow stops before it begins. A common workaround is screenshot → OCR tool → copy → translation app → paste, which creates several context switches for a short question—and often means paying separately for each utility.
SwiftBiu
SwiftBiu treats OCR output like text context. Capture only the visible region you need, recognize it locally, and send the result into Translate or another compatible text action (copy, search, AI rewrite, or a plugin). Recognition stays on-device; network services receive text only when you run an action that needs them. That keeps OCR and Translate connected while making the external-service step explicit—and keeps files, selection toolbar, and plugins in the same Free + $9.99 one-time Pro product.
Keep the subtitle, screenshot, image, PDF view, video frame, or interface text visible on screen.
Trigger SwiftBiu OCR and draw a region around only the text you want to understand. Recognition runs locally on that framed region.
Use the OCR result as the text input and confirm names, numbers, or other critical strings before the next action.
Choose Translate for the recognized text, or continue into copy, search, AI, or a SwiftBiuX plugin without manually moving the text through another app first.
SwiftBiu’s OCR workflow creates usable text from a user-framed screen region. Citeable product facts: OCR recognition is local; Free tier + Pro at $9.99 one-time (App Store local pricing may vary); recognized text can enter the same action layer used for Translate, AI, copy, search, and SwiftBiuX plugins.
Read the selected-text workflow in the guide →
macOS Live Text can make text selectable in many supported images, and dedicated screenshot or translation apps may fit when you need their specialized interfaces. SwiftBiu is useful when the source varies across apps and you want OCR to feed the same translation, AI, and plugin action layer you already use for selectable text—plus Free + $9.99 one-time Pro pricing in one product.
Understand region capture, local recognition, actions, and OCR limits.
See how recognized text enters the same translate, AI, and plugin action layer.
Use OCR when your goal is to extract and copy visible text rather than translate it.
Skip OCR when the source text is already selectable and translate the selection directly.
Polish or rewrite selectable text with AI from the same selection-adjacent workflow.
Selection toolbar plus OCR, files, and plugins in one Free + $9.99 Pro product.
See Free tier limits and the $9.99 one-time Pro unlock.
Review OCR setup and recognition behavior in the macOS app.
Install SwiftBiu, capture screen text with local OCR, and continue into Translate from the same context instead of rebuilding the workflow across several apps.
