diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchAxis.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchAxis.py
index 8d8a07b9d..5e6f6bd18 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchAxis.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchAxis.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ __title__="FreeCAD Axis System"
 __author__ = "Yorik van Havre"
 __url__ = "http://www.freecadweb.org"
 
-def makeAxis(num=5,size=1,name=str(translate("Arch","Axes"))):
+def makeAxis(num=5,size=1,name=translate("Arch","Axes")):
     '''makeAxis(num,size): makes an Axis System
     based on the given number of axes and interval distances'''
     obj = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("App::FeaturePython",name)
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class _CommandAxis:
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Arch_Axis","Creates an axis system.")}
         
     def Activated(self):
-        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Axis")))
+        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Axis"))
         FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
         sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()
         st = Draft.getObjectsOfType(sel,"Structure")
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ class _CommandAxis:
 class _Axis:
     "The Axis object"
     def __init__(self,obj):
-        obj.addProperty("App::PropertyFloatList","Distances","Arch", str(translate("Arch","The intervals between axes")))
-        obj.addProperty("App::PropertyFloatList","Angles","Arch", str(translate("Arch","The angles of each axis")))
-        obj.addProperty("App::PropertyFloat","Length","Arch", str(translate("Arch","The length of the axes")))
+        obj.addProperty("App::PropertyFloatList","Distances","Arch", translate("Arch","The intervals between axes"))
+        obj.addProperty("App::PropertyFloatList","Angles","Arch", translate("Arch","The angles of each axis"))
+        obj.addProperty("App::PropertyFloat","Length","Arch", translate("Arch","The length of the axes"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyPlacement","Placement","Base","")
         obj.addProperty("Part::PropertyPartShape","Shape","Base","")
         self.Type = "Axis"
@@ -112,8 +112,8 @@ class _ViewProviderAxis:
     "A View Provider for the Axis object"
 
     def __init__(self,vobj):
-        vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","BubbleSize","Arch", str(translate("Arch","The size of the axis bubbles")))
-        vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","NumberingStyle","Arch", str(translate("Arch","The numbering style")))
+        vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","BubbleSize","Arch", translate("Arch","The size of the axis bubbles"))
+        vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","NumberingStyle","Arch", translate("Arch","The numbering style"))
         vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","DrawStyle","Base","")
         vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyFloat","LineWidth","Base","")
         vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyColor","LineColor","Base","")
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchBuilding.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchBuilding.py
index ca625ecff..140df634f 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchBuilding.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchBuilding.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ __title__="FreeCAD Building"
 __author__ = "Yorik van Havre"
 __url__ = "http://www.freecadweb.org"
 
-def makeBuilding(objectslist=None,join=False,name=str(translate("Arch","Building"))):
+def makeBuilding(objectslist=None,join=False,name=translate("Arch","Building")):
     '''makeBuilding(objectslist,[joinmode]): creates a building including the
     objects from the given list. If joinmode is True, components will be joined.'''
     obj = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("App::DocumentObjectGroupPython",name)
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class _CommandBuilding:
         ok = False
         if (len(sel) == 1):
             if Draft.getType(sel[0]) in ["Cell","Site","Floor"]:
-                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Type conversion")))
+                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Type conversion"))
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("obj = Arch.makeBuilding()")
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.copyProperties(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+sel[0].Name+",obj)")
@@ -60,14 +60,14 @@ class _CommandBuilding:
                 FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
                 ok = True
         if not ok:
-            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch"," Create Building")))
+            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch"," Create Building"))
             ss = "["
             for o in sel:
                 if len(ss) > 1:
                     ss += ","
                 ss += "FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+o.Name
             ss += "]"
-            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Floor")))
+            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Floor"))
             FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
             FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.makeBuilding("+ss+")")
             FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchCommands.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchCommands.py
index 749e30d82..25ac1160e 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchCommands.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchCommands.py
@@ -137,16 +137,16 @@ def removeComponents(objectsList,host=None):
                             if o.Base.Support:
                                 if isinstance(o.Base.Support,tuple):
                                    if o.Base.Support[0].Name == host.Name:
-                                       FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing")))
+                                       FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing"))
                                        o.Base.Support = None
                                 elif o.Base.Support.Name == host.Name:
-                                    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing")))
+                                    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing"))
                                     o.Base.Support = None
                             elif o.Base.ExternalGeometry:
                                 for i in range(len(o.Base.ExternalGeometry)):
                                     if o.Base.ExternalGeometry[i][0].Name == host.Name:
                                         o.Base.delExternal(i)
-                                        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing")))
+                                        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing"))
                                         break                                        
             host.Subtractions = s
     else:
@@ -189,16 +189,16 @@ def fixWindow(obj):
                 if obj.Base.Support:
                     if isinstance(o.Base.Support,tuple):
                        if obj.Base.Support[0]:
-                           FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing")))
+                           FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing"))
                            obj.Base.Support = None
                     elif obj.Base.Support:
-                        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing")))
+                        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","removing sketch support to avoid cross-referencing"))
                         obj.Base.Support = None
             if hasattr(obj.Base,"ExternalGeometry"):
                 if obj.Base.ExternalGeometry:
                     for i in range(len(obj.Base.ExternalGeometry)):
                         obj.Base.delExternal(0)
-                        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","removing sketch external references to avoid cross-referencing")))
+                        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","removing sketch external references to avoid cross-referencing"))
 
 def copyProperties(obj1,obj2):
     '''copyProperties(obj1,obj2): Copies properties values from obj1 to obj2,
@@ -337,14 +337,14 @@ def getCutVolume(cutplane,shapes):
         else:
             p = cutplane.copy().Faces[0]
     except:
-        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","Invalid cutplane")))
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","Invalid cutplane"))
         return None,None,None 
     ce = p.CenterOfMass
     ax = p.normalAt(0,0)
     u = p.Vertexes[1].Point.sub(p.Vertexes[0].Point).normalize()
     v = u.cross(ax)
     if not bb.isCutPlane(ce,ax):
-        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","No objects are cut by the plane")))
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","No objects are cut by the plane"))
         return None,None,None
     else:
         corners = [FreeCAD.Vector(bb.XMin,bb.YMin,bb.ZMin),
@@ -567,19 +567,19 @@ def check(objectslist,includehidden=False):
         else:
             s = o.Shape
             if (not s.isClosed()) and (not (Draft.getType(o) == "Axis")):
-                bad.append([o,str(translate("Arch","is not closed"))])
+                bad.append([o,translate("Arch","is not closed")])
             elif not s.isValid():
-                bad.append([o,str(translate("Arch","is not valid"))])
+                bad.append([o,translate("Arch","is not valid")])
             elif (not s.Solids) and (not (Draft.getType(o) == "Axis")):
-                bad.append([o,str(translate("Arch","doesn't contain any solid"))])
+                bad.append([o,translate("Arch","doesn't contain any solid")])
             else:
                 f = 0
                 for sol in s.Solids:
                     f += len(sol.Faces)
                     if not sol.isClosed():
-                        bad.append([o,str(translate("Arch","contains a non-closed solid"))])
+                        bad.append([o,translate("Arch","contains a non-closed solid")])
                 if len(s.Faces) != f:
-                    bad.append([o,str(translate("Arch","contains faces that are not part of any solid"))])
+                    bad.append([o,translate("Arch","contains faces that are not part of any solid")])
     return bad
 
 
@@ -593,7 +593,7 @@ def addFixture(fixture,baseobject):
         if baseobject.ViewObject.DisplayMode != "Detailed":
             fixture.ViewObject.hide()
     else:
-        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","This object has no support for fixtures")))
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","This object has no support for fixtures"))
 
 def getTuples(data,scale=1,placement=None):
     """getTuples(data,[scale,placement]): returns a tuple or a list of tuples from a vector
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchComponent.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchComponent.py
index e9a4728d1..6dc766e9d 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchComponent.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchComponent.py
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ class ArchSelectionObserver:
             del FreeCAD.ArchObserver
         elif object == self.watched.Name:
             if not element:
-                FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","closing Sketch edit")))
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","closing Sketch edit"))
                 if self.hide:
                     if self.origin:
                         self.origin.ViewObject.Transparency = 0
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchFloor.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchFloor.py
index 93f4dab4a..9179da18b 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchFloor.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchFloor.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ __title__="FreeCAD Arch Floor"
 __author__ = "Yorik van Havre"
 __url__ = "http://www.freecadweb.org"
 
-def makeFloor(objectslist=None,join=True,name=str(translate("Arch","Floor"))):
+def makeFloor(objectslist=None,join=True,name=translate("Arch","Floor")):
     '''makeFloor(objectslist,[joinmode]): creates a floor including the
     objects from the given list. If joinmode is False, components will
     not be joined.'''
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class _CommandFloor:
         ok = False
         if (len(sel) == 1):
             if Draft.getType(sel[0]) in ["Cell","Site","Building"]:
-                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Type conversion")))
+                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Type conversion"))
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("obj = Arch.makeFloor()")
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.copyProperties(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+sel[0].Name+",obj)")
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class _CommandFloor:
                     ss += ","
                 ss += "FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+o.Name
             ss += "]"
-            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Floor")))
+            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Floor"))
             FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
             FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.makeFloor("+ss+")")
             FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
@@ -77,9 +77,9 @@ class _Floor:
     "The Floor object"
     def __init__(self,obj):
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Height","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The height of this floor")))
+                        translate("Arch","The height of this floor"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyPlacement","Placement","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The placement of this group")))
+                        translate("Arch","The placement of this group"))
         self.Type = "Floor"
         obj.Proxy = self
         self.Object = obj
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchFrame.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchFrame.py
index 61f00edbd..2d00043c9 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchFrame.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchFrame.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ __author__ = "Yorik van Havre"
 __url__ = "http://www.freecadweb.org"
 
     
-def makeFrame(base,profile,name="Frame"):
+def makeFrame(base,profile,name=translate("Arch","Frame")):
     """makeFrame(base,profile,[name]): creates a frame object from a base sketch (or any other object
     containing wires) and a profile object (an extrudable 2D object containing faces or closed wires)"""
     obj = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("Part::FeaturePython",name)
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class _CommandFrame:
     def Activated(self):
         s = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()
         if len(s) == 2:
-            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Frame")))
+            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Frame"))
             FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
             FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.makeFrame(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+s[0].Name+",FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+s[1].Name+")")
             FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchRebar.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchRebar.py
index 855b058b8..91b2a9a93 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchRebar.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchRebar.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ __author__ = "Yorik van Havre"
 __url__ = "http://www.freecadweb.org"
 
     
-def makeRebar(baseobj,sketch,diameter=None,amount=1,offset=None,name="Rebar"):
+def makeRebar(baseobj,sketch,diameter=None,amount=1,offset=None,name=translate("Arch","Rebar")):
     """makeRebar(baseobj,sketch,[diameter,amount,offset,name]): adds a Reinforcement Bar object
     to the given structural object, using the given sketch as profile."""
     p = FreeCAD.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/Arch")
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ class _CommandRebar:
                     sk = sel[1].Object
                     if Draft.getType(sk) == "Sketch":
                         # we have a base object and a sketch: create the rebar now
-                        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Rebar")))
+                        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Rebar"))
                         FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
                         FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.makeRebar(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+obj.Name+",FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+sk.Name+")")
                         FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ class _CommandRebar:
                             sup = obj.Support[0]
                         else:
                             sup = obj.Support
-                        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Rebar")))
+                        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Rebar"))
                         FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
                         FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.makeRebar(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+sup.Name+",FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+obj.Name+")")
                         FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ class _CommandRebar:
                         print "Arch: error: couldn't extract a base object"
                         return
 
-        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","Please select a base face on a structural object\n")))
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","Please select a base face on a structural object\n"))
         FreeCADGui.Control.showDialog(ArchComponent.SelectionTaskPanel())
         FreeCAD.ArchObserver = ArchComponent.ArchSelectionObserver(nextCommand="Arch_Rebar")
         FreeCADGui.Selection.addObserver(FreeCAD.ArchObserver)
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchRoof.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchRoof.py
index b41744bd5..d71fc6bfc 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchRoof.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchRoof.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ __title__="FreeCAD Roof"
 __author__ = "Yorik van Havre"
 __url__ = "http://www.freecadweb.org"
 
-def makeRoof(baseobj=None,facenr=1,angle=45,name=str(translate("Arch","Roof"))):
+def makeRoof(baseobj=None,facenr=1,angle=45,name=translate("Arch","Roof")):
     '''makeRoof(baseobj,[facenr],[angle],[name]) : Makes a roof based on a
     face from an existing object. You can provide the number of the face
     to build the roof on (default = 1), the angle (default=45) and a name (default
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class _CommandRoof:
             if sel.HasSubObjects:
                 if "Face" in sel.SubElementNames[0]:
                     idx = int(sel.SubElementNames[0][4:])
-                    FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Roof")))
+                    FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Roof"))
                     FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
                     FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.makeRoof(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+obj.Name+","+str(idx)+")")
                     FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
@@ -69,16 +69,16 @@ class _CommandRoof:
                     return
             if obj.isDerivedFrom("Part::Feature"):
                 if obj.Shape.Wires:
-                    FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Roof")))
+                    FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Roof"))
                     FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
                     FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.makeRoof(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+obj.Name+")")
                     FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
                     FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.recompute()
                     return
             else:
-                FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","Unable to create a roof")))
+                FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","Unable to create a roof"))
         else:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","Please select a base object\n")))
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","Please select a base object\n"))
             FreeCADGui.Control.showDialog(ArchComponent.SelectionTaskPanel())
             FreeCAD.ArchObserver = ArchComponent.ArchSelectionObserver(nextCommand="Arch_Roof")
             FreeCADGui.Selection.addObserver(FreeCAD.ArchObserver)
@@ -88,9 +88,9 @@ class _Roof(ArchComponent.Component):
     def __init__(self,obj):
         ArchComponent.Component.__init__(self,obj)
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyAngle","Angle","Base",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The angle of this roof")))
+                        translate("Arch","The angle of this roof"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyInteger","Face","Base",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The face number of the base object used to build this roof")))
+                        translate("Arch","The face number of the base object used to build this roof"))
         self.Type = "Roof"
         
     def execute(self,obj):
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSectionPlane.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSectionPlane.py
index c39200cc7..5b9806e6f 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSectionPlane.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSectionPlane.py
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ from PySide import QtCore
 from pivy import coin
 from DraftTools import translate
 
-def makeSectionPlane(objectslist=None):
+def makeSectionPlane(objectslist=None,name=translate("Arch","Section")):
     """makeSectionPlane([objectslist]) : Creates a Section plane objects including the
     given objects. If no object is given, the whole document will be considered."""
-    obj = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("App::FeaturePython","Section")
+    obj = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("App::FeaturePython",name)
     _SectionPlane(obj)
     _ViewProviderSectionPlane(obj.ViewObject)
     if objectslist:
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def makeSectionPlane(objectslist=None):
         obj.Objects = g
     return obj
 
-def makeSectionView(section):
+def makeSectionView(section,name="View"):
     """makeSectionView(section) : Creates a Drawing view of the given Section Plane
     in the active Page object (a new page will be created if none exists"""
     page = None
@@ -52,14 +52,14 @@ def makeSectionView(section):
             page = o
             break
     if not page:
-        page = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("Drawing::FeaturePage",str(translate("Arch","Page")))
+        page = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("Drawing::FeaturePage",translate("Arch","Page"))
         page.Template = Draft.getParam("template",FreeCAD.getResourceDir()+'Mod/Drawing/Templates/A3_Landscape.svg')
         
-    view = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("Drawing::FeatureViewPython","View")
+    view = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("Drawing::FeatureViewPython",name)
     page.addObject(view)
     _ArchDrawingView(view)
     view.Source = section
-    view.Label = str(translate("Arch","View of"))+" "+section.Name
+    view.Label = translate("Arch","View of")+" "+section.Name
     return view
 
 class _CommandSectionPlane:
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class _CommandSectionPlane:
                 ss += ","
             ss += "FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+o.Name
         ss += "]"
-        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Section Plane")))
+        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Section Plane"))
         FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
         FreeCADGui.doCommand("section = Arch.makeSectionPlane("+ss+")")
         FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.makeSectionView(section)")
@@ -90,10 +90,10 @@ class _SectionPlane:
     def __init__(self,obj):
         obj.Proxy = self
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyPlacement","Placement","Base",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The placement of this object")))
+                        translate("Arch","The placement of this object"))
         obj.addProperty("Part::PropertyPartShape","Shape","Base","")
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLinkList","Objects","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The objects that must be considered by this section plane. Empty means all document")))
+                        translate("Arch","The objects that must be considered by this section plane. Empty means all document"))
         self.Type = "SectionPlane"
         
     def execute(self,obj):
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ class _ViewProviderSectionPlane(ArchComponent.ViewProviderComponent):
     "A View Provider for Section Planes"
     def __init__(self,vobj):
         vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","DisplaySize","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The display size of this section plane")))
+                        translate("Arch","The display size of this section plane"))
         vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyPercent","Transparency","Base","")
         vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyFloat","LineWidth","Base","")
         vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyColor","LineColor","Base","")
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ class _ArchDrawingView:
             [V0,V1,H0,H1] = Drawing.project(self.baseshape,self.direction)
             return V0.Edges+V1.Edges
         else:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","No shape has been computed yet, select wireframe rendering and render again")))
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","No shape has been computed yet, select wireframe rendering and render again"))
             return None
 
     def getDXF(self):
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ class _ArchDrawingView:
             DxfOutput = Drawing.projectToDXF(self.baseshape,self.direction)
             return DxfOutput
         else:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","No shape has been computed yet, select wireframe rendering and render again")))
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","No shape has been computed yet, select wireframe rendering and render again"))
             return None
 
     def buildSVG(self, obj,join=False):
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ class _ArchDrawingView:
                                 if o.Shape.isValid():
                                     shapes.extend(o.Shape.Solids)
                                 else:
-                                    FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(str(translate("Arch","Skipping invalid object: "))+o.Name)
+                                    FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(translate("Arch","Skipping invalid object: ")+o.Name)
                         cutface,cutvolume,invcutvolume = ArchCommands.getCutVolume(obj.Source.Shape.copy(),shapes)
                         if cutvolume:
                             nsh = []
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSite.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSite.py
index d6f5489b5..9cb9c7e56 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSite.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSite.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ __title__="FreeCAD Site"
 __author__ = "Yorik van Havre"
 __url__ = "http://www.freecadweb.org"
 
-def makeSite(objectslist=None,name=str(translate("Arch","Site"))):
+def makeSite(objectslist=None,name=translate("Arch","Site")):
     '''makeBuilding(objectslist): creates a site including the
     objects from the given list.'''
     obj = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("App::DocumentObjectGroupPython",name)
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ class _CommandSite:
         ok = False
         if (len(sel) == 1):
             if Draft.getType(sel[0]) in ["Cell","Building","Floor"]:
-                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Type conversion")))
+                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Type conversion"))
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("obj = Arch.makeSite()")
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.copyProperties(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+sel[0].Name+",obj)")
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class _CommandSite:
                     ss += ","
                 ss += "FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+o.Name
             ss += "]"
-            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Site")))
+            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Site"))
             FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
             FreeCADGui.doCommand("Arch.makeSite("+ss+")")
             FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
@@ -81,13 +81,13 @@ class _Site(ArchFloor._Floor):
     def __init__(self,obj):
         ArchFloor._Floor.__init__(self,obj)
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLink","Terrain","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The terrain of this site")))
+                        translate("Arch","The terrain of this site"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyString","Address","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The address of this site")))
+                        translate("Arch","The address of this site"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyString","Coordinates","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The geographic coordinates of this site")))
+                        translate("Arch","The geographic coordinates of this site"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyString","Url","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","An url that shows this site in a mapping website")))
+                        translate("Arch","An url that shows this site in a mapping website"))
         self.Type = "Site"
         obj.setEditorMode('Height',2)
                 
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSpace.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSpace.py
index fd87d4ede..d1979263f 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSpace.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchSpace.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import FreeCAD,FreeCADGui,ArchComponent,ArchCommands,math,Draft
 from DraftTools import translate
 from PySide import QtCore
 
-def makeSpace(objects=None,name="Space"):
+def makeSpace(objects=None,name=translate("Arch","Space")):
     """makeSpace([objects]): Creates a space object from the given objects. Objects can be one
     document object, in which case it becomes the base shape of the space object, or a list of
     selection objects as got from getSelectionEx(), or a list of tuples (object, subobjectname)"""
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class _CommandSpace:
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Arch_Space","Creates a space object from selected boundary objects")}
 
     def Activated(self):
-        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Space")))
+        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Space"))
         FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
         sel = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()
         if sel:
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class _CommandSpace:
             FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.commitTransaction()
             FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.recompute()
         else:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","Please select a base object\n")))
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","Please select a base object\n"))
             FreeCADGui.Control.showDialog(ArchComponent.SelectionTaskPanel())
             FreeCAD.ArchObserver = ArchComponent.ArchSelectionObserver(nextCommand="Arch_Space")
             FreeCADGui.Selection.addObserver(FreeCAD.ArchObserver)
@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ class _Space(ArchComponent.Component):
     def __init__(self,obj):
         obj.Proxy = self
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLink","Base","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","A base shape defining this space")))
+                        translate("Arch","A base shape defining this space"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLinkSubList","Boundaries","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The objects that make the boundaries of this space object")))
+                        translate("Arch","The objects that make the boundaries of this space object"))
         self.Type = "Space"
 
     def execute(self,obj):
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchStairs.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchStairs.py
index 0e6392522..b80335c24 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchStairs.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchStairs.py
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@ from DraftTools import translate
 from PySide import QtCore
 
 
-def makeStairs(base=None,length=4.5,width=1,height=3,steps=17):
+def makeStairs(base=None,length=4.5,width=1,height=3,steps=17,name=translate("Arch","Stairs")):
     """makeStairs([base,length,width,height,steps]): creates a Stairs
     objects with given attributes."""
-    obj = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("Part::FeaturePython","Stairs")
+    obj = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("Part::FeaturePython",name)
     _Stairs(obj)
     _ViewProviderStairs(obj.ViewObject)
     if base:
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class _CommandStairs:
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Arch_Space","Creates a stairs objects")}
 
     def Activated(self):
-        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Stairs")))
+        FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Stairs"))
         FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
         if len(FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()) == 1:
             n = FreeCADGui.Selection.getSelection()[0].Name
@@ -74,39 +74,39 @@ class _Stairs(ArchComponent.Component):
         
         # base properties
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Length","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The length of these stairs, if no baseline is defined")))
+                        translate("Arch","The length of these stairs, if no baseline is defined"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Width","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The width of these stairs")))
+                        translate("Arch","The width of these stairs"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Height","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The total height of these stairs")))
+                        translate("Arch","The total height of these stairs"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","Align","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The alignment of these stairs on their baseline, if applicable")))
+                        translate("Arch","The alignment of these stairs on their baseline, if applicable"))
                         
         # steps properties
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyInteger","NumberOfSteps","Steps",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The number of risers in these stairs")))
+                        translate("Arch","The number of risers in these stairs"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","TreadDepth","Steps",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The depth of the treads of these stairs")))
+                        translate("Arch","The depth of the treads of these stairs"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","RiserHeight","Steps",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The height of the risers of these stairs")))
+                        translate("Arch","The height of the risers of these stairs"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Nosing","Steps",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The size of the nosing")))
+                        translate("Arch","The size of the nosing"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","TreadThickness","Steps",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The thickness of the treads")))
+                        translate("Arch","The thickness of the treads"))
                         
         # structural properties
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","Landings","Structure",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The type of landings of these stairs")))
+                        translate("Arch","The type of landings of these stairs"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","Winders","Structure",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The type of winders in these stairs")))
+                        translate("Arch","The type of winders in these stairs"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","Structure","Structure",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The type of structure of these stairs")))
+                        translate("Arch","The type of structure of these stairs"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","StructureThickness","Structure",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The thickness of the massive structure or of the stringers")))
+                        translate("Arch","The thickness of the massive structure or of the stringers"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","StringerWidth","Structure",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The width of the stringers")))
+                        translate("Arch","The width of the stringers"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","StringerOffset","Structure",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The offset between the border of the stairs and the stringers")))
+                        translate("Arch","The offset between the border of the stairs and the stringers"))
                         
         obj.Align = ['Left','Right','Center']
         obj.Landings = ["None","At center","At each corner"]
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchStructure.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchStructure.py
index c734a7d8a..38b412f86 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchStructure.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchStructure.py
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ Presets = [None,
 
             ]
 
-def makeStructure(baseobj=None,length=0,width=0,height=0,name=str(translate("Arch","Structure"))):
+def makeStructure(baseobj=None,length=0,width=0,height=0,name=translate("Arch","Structure")):
     '''makeStructure([obj],[length],[width],[heigth],[swap]): creates a
     structure element based on the given profile object and the given
     extrusion height. If no base object is given, you can also specify
@@ -406,13 +406,13 @@ class _CommandStructure:
         "sets up a taskbox widget"
         d = FreeCAD.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Units").GetInt("Decimals",2)
         w = QtGui.QWidget()
-        w.setWindowTitle(unicode(translate("Arch","Structure options")))
+        w.setWindowTitle(translate("Arch","Structure options").decode("utf8"))
         lay0 = QtGui.QVBoxLayout(w)
         
         # presets box
         layp = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         lay0.addLayout(layp)
-        labelp = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch","Preset")))
+        labelp = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch","Preset").decode("utf8"))
         layp.addWidget(labelp)
         valuep = QtGui.QComboBox()
         fpresets = [" "]
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ class _CommandStructure:
         # length
         lay1 = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         lay0.addLayout(lay1)
-        label1 = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch","Length")))
+        label1 = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch","Length").decode("utf8"))
         lay1.addWidget(label1)
         self.vLength = QtGui.QDoubleSpinBox()
         self.vLength.setDecimals(d)
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ class _CommandStructure:
         # width
         lay2 = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         lay0.addLayout(lay2)
-        label2 = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch","Width")))
+        label2 = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch","Width").decode("utf8"))
         lay2.addWidget(label2)
         self.vWidth = QtGui.QDoubleSpinBox()
         self.vWidth.setDecimals(d)
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ class _CommandStructure:
         # height
         lay3 = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         lay0.addLayout(lay3)
-        label3 = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch","Height")))
+        label3 = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch","Height").decode("utf8"))
         lay3.addWidget(label3)
         self.vHeight = QtGui.QDoubleSpinBox()
         self.vHeight.setDecimals(d)
@@ -455,11 +455,11 @@ class _CommandStructure:
         lay3.addWidget(self.vHeight)
         
         # horizontal button
-        value5 = QtGui.QPushButton(unicode(translate("Arch","Rotate")))
+        value5 = QtGui.QPushButton(translate("Arch","Rotate").decode("utf8"))
         lay0.addWidget(value5)
 
         # continue button
-        value4 = QtGui.QCheckBox(unicode(translate("Arch","Continue")))
+        value4 = QtGui.QCheckBox(translate("Arch","Continue").decode("utf8"))
         lay0.addWidget(value4)
         
         QtCore.QObject.connect(valuep,QtCore.SIGNAL("currentIndexChanged(int)"),self.setPreset)
@@ -515,25 +515,25 @@ class _Structure(ArchComponent.Component):
     def __init__(self,obj):
         ArchComponent.Component.__init__(self,obj)
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLink","Tool","Arch",
-                        "An optional extrusion path for this element")
+                        translate("Arch","An optional extrusion path for this element"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Length","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The length of this element, if not based on a profile")))
+                        translate("Arch","The length of this element, if not based on a profile"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Width","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The width of this element, if not based on a profile")))
+                        translate("Arch","The width of this element, if not based on a profile"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Height","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The height or extrusion depth of this element. Keep 0 for automatic")))
+                        translate("Arch","The height or extrusion depth of this element. Keep 0 for automatic"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLinkList","Axes","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","Axes systems this structure is built on")))
+                        translate("Arch","Axes systems this structure is built on"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLinkList","Armatures","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","Armatures contained in this element")))
+                        translate("Arch","Armatures contained in this element"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyVector","Normal","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The normal extrusion direction of this object (keep (0,0,0) for automatic normal)")))
+                        translate("Arch","The normal extrusion direction of this object (keep (0,0,0) for automatic normal)"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyIntegerList","Exclude","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The element numbers to exclude when this structure is based on axes")))
+                        translate("Arch","The element numbers to exclude when this structure is based on axes"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","Role","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The role of this structural element")))
+                        translate("Arch","The role of this structural element"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyVectorList","Nodes","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The structural nodes of this element")))
+                        translate("Arch","The structural nodes of this element"))
         self.Type = "Structure"
         obj.Length = 1
         obj.Width = 1
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ class _Structure(ArchComponent.Component):
                         try:
                             base = obj.Tool.Shape.copy().makePipe(obj.Base.Shape.copy())
                         except:
-                            FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(str(translate("Arch","Error: The base shape couldn't be extruded along this tool object")))
+                            FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(translate("Arch","Error: The base shape couldn't be extruded along this tool object"))
                             return
                 if not base:
                     if obj.Normal == Vector(0,0,0):
@@ -651,7 +651,7 @@ class _Structure(ArchComponent.Component):
                             if base.Volume < 0:
                                 base.reverse()
                             if base.Volume < 0:
-                                FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(str(translate("Arch","Couldn't compute a shape")))
+                                FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(translate("Arch","Couldn't compute a shape"))
                                 return
                             base = base.removeSplitter()
                             obj.Shape = base
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchWall.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchWall.py
index a8cdf4dc1..f5bca95fd 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchWall.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchWall.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ __title__="FreeCAD Wall"
 __author__ = "Yorik van Havre"
 __url__ = "http://www.freecadweb.org"
 
-def makeWall(baseobj=None,length=None,width=None,height=None,align="Center",face=None,name=str(translate("Arch","Wall"))):
+def makeWall(baseobj=None,length=None,width=None,height=None,align="Center",face=None,name=translate("Arch","Wall")):
     '''makeWall([obj],[length],[width],[height],[align],[face],[name]): creates a wall based on the
     given object, which can be a sketch, a draft object, a face or a solid, or no object at
     all, then you must provide length, width and height. Align can be "Center","Left" or "Right", 
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class _CommandWall:
             # automatic mode
             import Draft
             if Draft.getType(sel[0].Object) != "Wall":
-                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Wall")))
+                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Wall"))
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand('import Arch')
                 for selobj in sel:
                     if Draft.getType(selobj.Object) == "Space":
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class _CommandWall:
             import Part
             l = Part.Line(self.points[0],self.points[1])
             self.tracker.finalize()
-            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Wall")))
+            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Wall"))
             FreeCADGui.doCommand('import Arch')
             FreeCADGui.doCommand('import Part')
             FreeCADGui.doCommand('trace=Part.Line(FreeCAD.'+str(l.StartPoint)+',FreeCAD.'+str(l.EndPoint)+')')
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ class _CommandWall:
                 self.Activated()
 
     def addDefault(self,l):
-        FreeCADGui.doCommand('base=FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("Sketcher::SketchObject","'+str(translate('Arch','WallTrace'))+'")')
+        FreeCADGui.doCommand('base=FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.addObject("Sketcher::SketchObject","'+translate('Arch','WallTrace')+'")')
         FreeCADGui.doCommand('base.addGeometry(trace)')
         FreeCADGui.doCommand('Arch.makeWall(base,width='+str(self.Width)+',height='+str(self.Height)+',align="'+str(self.Align)+'")')
 
@@ -255,12 +255,12 @@ class _CommandWall:
         "sets up a taskbox widget"
         d = FreeCAD.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Units").GetInt("Decimals",2)
         w = QtGui.QWidget()
-        w.setWindowTitle(unicode(translate("Arch","Wall options")))
+        w.setWindowTitle(translate("Arch","Wall options").decode("utf8"))
         lay0 = QtGui.QVBoxLayout(w)
         
         lay5 = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         lay0.addLayout(lay5)
-        label5 = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch","Length")))
+        label5 = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch","Length").decode("utf8"))
         lay5.addWidget(label5)
         self.Length = QtGui.QDoubleSpinBox()
         self.Length.setDecimals(d)
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ class _CommandWall:
         
         lay1 = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         lay0.addLayout(lay1)
-        label1 = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch","Width")))
+        label1 = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch","Width").decode("utf8"))
         lay1.addWidget(label1)
         value1 = QtGui.QDoubleSpinBox()
         value1.setDecimals(d)
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ class _CommandWall:
         
         lay2 = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         lay0.addLayout(lay2)
-        label2 = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch","Height")))
+        label2 = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch","Height").decode("utf8"))
         lay2.addWidget(label2)
         value2 = QtGui.QDoubleSpinBox()
         value2.setDecimals(d)
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ class _CommandWall:
         
         lay3 = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         lay0.addLayout(lay3)
-        label3 = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch","Alignment")))
+        label3 = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch","Alignment").decode("utf8"))
         lay3.addWidget(label3)
         value3 = QtGui.QComboBox()
         items = ["Center","Left","Right"]
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ class _CommandWall:
         value3.setCurrentIndex(items.index(self.Align))
         lay3.addWidget(value3)
         
-        value4 = QtGui.QCheckBox(unicode(translate("Arch","Continue")))
+        value4 = QtGui.QCheckBox(translate("Arch","Continue").decode("utf8"))
         lay0.addWidget(value4)
         QtCore.QObject.connect(value1,QtCore.SIGNAL("valueChanged(double)"),self.setWidth)
         QtCore.QObject.connect(value2,QtCore.SIGNAL("valueChanged(double)"),self.setHeight)
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchWindow.py b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchWindow.py
index feb87a17c..62d892be7 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/ArchWindow.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/ArchWindow.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ WindowPresets = ["Fixed", "Open 1-pane", "Open 2-pane", "Sash 2-pane",
                         "Sliding 2-pane", "Simple door", "Glass door"]
 Roles = ["Window","Door"]
 
-def makeWindow(baseobj=None,width=None,height=None,parts=None,name=str(translate("Arch","Window"))):
+def makeWindow(baseobj=None,width=None,height=None,parts=None,name=translate("Arch","Window")):
     '''makeWindow(baseobj,[width,height,parts,name]): creates a window based on the
     given base 2D object (sketch or draft).'''
 
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ class _CommandWindow:
                     if obj.Objects[0].Inlist:
                         host = obj.Objects[0].Inlist[0]
 
-                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Window")))
+                FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Window"))
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("import Arch")
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("win = Arch.makeWindow(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument."+obj.Name+")")
                 if host:
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ class _CommandWindow:
         self.tracker.length(self.Width)
         self.tracker.width(self.Thickness)
         self.tracker.height(self.Height)
-        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","Pick a face on an existing object or select a preset")))
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","Pick a face on an existing object or select a preset\n"))
         FreeCADGui.Snapper.getPoint(callback=self.getPoint,movecallback=self.update,extradlg=self.taskbox())
         FreeCADGui.Snapper.setSelectMode(True)
 
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ class _CommandWindow:
                     FreeCADGui.Selection.addObserver(FreeCAD.ArchObserver)
         else:
             # preset
-            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(str(translate("Arch","Create Window")))
+            FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.openTransaction(translate("Arch","Create Window"))
             FreeCADGui.doCommand("import math,FreeCAD,Arch,WorkingPlane")
             if obj and (self.baseFace != None):
                 FreeCADGui.doCommand("pl = WorkingPlane.getPlacementFromFace(FreeCAD.ActiveDocument." + obj.Name + ".Shape.Faces[" + str(self.baseFace) + "])")
@@ -484,13 +484,13 @@ class _CommandWindow:
         "sets up a taskbox widget"
         d = FreeCAD.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Units").GetInt("Decimals",2)
         w = QtGui.QWidget()
-        w.setWindowTitle(unicode(translate("Arch","Window options")))
+        w.setWindowTitle(translate("Arch","Window options"))
         lay0 = QtGui.QVBoxLayout(w)
 
         # presets box
         layp = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         lay0.addLayout(layp)
-        labelp = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch","Preset")))
+        labelp = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch","Preset"))
         layp.addWidget(labelp)
         valuep = QtGui.QComboBox()
         valuep.addItems(["Create from scratch"]+WindowPresets)
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ class _CommandWindow:
         for param in self.wparams:
             l = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
             lay0.addLayout(l)
-            lab = QtGui.QLabel(unicode(translate("Arch",param)))
+            lab = QtGui.QLabel(translate("Arch",param).decode("utf8"))
             l.addWidget(lab)
             setattr(self,"val"+param,QtGui.QDoubleSpinBox())
             wid = getattr(self,"val"+param)
@@ -570,20 +570,20 @@ class _Window(ArchComponent.Component):
     def __init__(self,obj):
         ArchComponent.Component.__init__(self,obj)
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyStringList","WindowParts","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","the components of this window")))
+                        translate("Arch","the components of this window"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","HoleDepth","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The depth of the hole that this window makes in its host object. Keep 0 for automatic.")))
+                        translate("Arch","The depth of the hole that this window makes in its host object. Keep 0 for automatic."))
         obj.addProperty("Part::PropertyPartShape","Subvolume","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","an optional volume to be subtracted from hosts of this window")))
+                        translate("Arch","an optional volume to be subtracted from hosts of this window"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Width","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The width of this window (for preset windows only)")))
+                        translate("Arch","The width of this window (for preset windows only)"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyLength","Height","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The height of this window (for preset windows only)")))
+                        translate("Arch","The height of this window (for preset windows only)"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyVector","Normal","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The normal direction of this window")))
+                        translate("Arch","The normal direction of this window"))
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyInteger","Preset","Arch","")
         obj.addProperty("App::PropertyEnumeration","Role","Arch",
-                        str(translate("Arch","The role of this window")))
+                        translate("Arch","The role of this window"))
         obj.setEditorMode("Preset",2)
 
         self.Type = "Window"
@@ -1058,7 +1058,7 @@ class _ArchWindowTaskPanel:
                 self.obj.WindowParts = parts
                 self.update()
         else:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(str(translate("Arch", "Unable to create component")))
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(translate("Arch", "Unable to create component\n"))
         
         self.newtitle.setVisible(False)
         self.new1.setVisible(False)
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/InitGui.py b/src/Mod/Arch/InitGui.py
index 64b39b09a..15e08c8ec 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/InitGui.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/InitGui.py
@@ -100,16 +100,16 @@ class ArchWorkbench(Workbench):
                          'Draft_Snap_Extension','Draft_Snap_Near','Draft_Snap_Ortho',
                          'Draft_Snap_Dimensions']
 
-        self.appendToolbar(str(translate("arch","Arch tools")),self.archtools)
-        self.appendToolbar(str(translate("arch","Draft tools")),self.drafttools)
-        self.appendToolbar(str(translate("arch","Draft mod tools")),self.draftmodtools)
-        self.appendMenu([str(translate("arch","&Architecture")),str(translate("arch","Conversion Tools"))],self.meshtools)
-        self.appendMenu([str(translate("arch","&Architecture")),str(translate("arch","Calculation Tools"))],self.calctools)
-        self.appendMenu(str(translate("arch","&Architecture")),self.archtools)
-        self.appendMenu(str(translate("arch","&Draft")),self.drafttools+self.draftmodtools+self.extramodtools)
-        self.appendMenu([str(translate("arch","&Draft")),str(translate("arch","Context Tools"))],self.draftcontexttools)
-        self.appendMenu([str(translate("arch","&Draft")),str(translate("arch","Utilities"))],self.draftutils)
-        self.appendMenu([str(translate("arch","&Draft")),str(translate("arch","Snapping"))],self.snapList)
+        self.appendToolbar(translate("arch","Arch tools"),self.archtools)
+        self.appendToolbar(translate("arch","Draft tools"),self.drafttools)
+        self.appendToolbar(translate("arch","Draft mod tools"),self.draftmodtools)
+        self.appendMenu([translate("arch","&Architecture"),translate("arch","Conversion Tools")],self.meshtools)
+        self.appendMenu([translate("arch","&Architecture"),translate("arch","Calculation Tools")],self.calctools)
+        self.appendMenu(translate("arch","&Architecture"),self.archtools)
+        self.appendMenu(translate("arch","&Draft"),self.drafttools+self.draftmodtools+self.extramodtools)
+        self.appendMenu([translate("arch","&Draft"),translate("arch","Context Tools")],self.draftcontexttools)
+        self.appendMenu([translate("arch","&Draft"),translate("arch","Utilities")],self.draftutils)
+        self.appendMenu([translate("arch","&Draft"),translate("arch","Snapping")],self.snapList)
         FreeCADGui.addIconPath(":/icons")
         FreeCADGui.addLanguagePath(":/translations")
         FreeCADGui.addPreferencePage(":/ui/archprefs-base.ui","Arch")
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/importDAE.py b/src/Mod/Arch/importDAE.py
index dab4e0b50..d329a528e 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/importDAE.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/importDAE.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def checkCollada():
     try:
         import collada
     except:
-        FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(str(translate("Arch","pycollada not found, collada support is disabled.\n")))
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(translate("Arch","pycollada not found, collada support is disabled.\n"))
         return False
     else:
         return True
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def decode(name):
         try:
             decodedName = (name.decode("latin1"))
         except UnicodeDecodeError:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(str(translate("Arch","Error: Couldn't determine character encoding")))
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(translate("Arch","Error: Couldn't determine character encoding"))
             decodedName = name
     return decodedName
 
@@ -171,4 +171,4 @@ def export(exportList,filename):
     colmesh.scenes.append(myscene)
     colmesh.scene = myscene
     colmesh.write(filename)
-    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","file %s successfully created.")) % filename)
+    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","file %s successfully created.") % filename)
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/importIFC.py b/src/Mod/Arch/importIFC.py
index 325e13dd6..b3b88cde0 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/importIFC.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/importIFC.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ def getIfcOpenShell():
         global IfcImport
         import IfcImport
     except:
-        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","Couldn't locate IfcOpenShell\n")))
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","Couldn't locate IfcOpenShell\n"))
         return False
     else:
         return True
@@ -349,13 +349,13 @@ def read(filename):
     else:
         # use only the internal python parser
         
-        FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(str(translate("Arch","IfcOpenShell not found or disabled, falling back on internal parser.\n")))
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(translate("Arch","IfcOpenShell not found or disabled, falling back on internal parser.\n"))
         schema=getSchema()
         if schema:
             if DEBUG: print "opening",filename,"..."
             ifc = ifcReader.IfcDocument(filename,schema=schema,debug=DEBUG)
         else:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(str(translate("Arch","IFC Schema not found, IFC import disabled.\n")))
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(translate("Arch","IFC Schema not found, IFC import disabled.\n"))
             return None
         t2 = time.time()
         if DEBUG: print "Successfully loaded",ifc,"in %s s" % ((t2-t1))
@@ -761,7 +761,7 @@ def decode(name):
         try:
             decodedName = (name.decode("latin1"))
         except UnicodeDecodeError:
-            FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(str(translate("Arch", "Error: Couldn't determine character encoding\n")))
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintError(translate("Arch", "Error: Couldn't determine character encoding\n"))
             decodedName = name
     return decodedName
 
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/importOBJ.py b/src/Mod/Arch/importOBJ.py
index 72e824a2e..6028a6705 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/importOBJ.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/importOBJ.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def export(exportList,filename):
                 for f in flist:
                     outfile.write("f" + f + "\n")
     outfile.close()
-    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","successfully written "))+filename)
+    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","successfully written ")+filename+"\n")
             
             
             
diff --git a/src/Mod/Arch/importWebGL.py b/src/Mod/Arch/importWebGL.py
index 1e5d76858..c59a6fb44 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Arch/importWebGL.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Arch/importWebGL.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def export(exportList,filename):
     outfile = pythonopen(filename,"wb")
     outfile.write(html)
     outfile.close()
-    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("Arch","successfully written "))+filename)
+    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("Arch","successfully written ")+filename+"\n")
     
 def getHTML(objectsList):
     "returns the complete HTML code of a viewer for the given objects"
diff --git a/src/Mod/Draft/Draft.py b/src/Mod/Draft/Draft.py
index 0338ee9d4..0d2514fb8 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Draft/Draft.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Draft/Draft.py
@@ -2697,7 +2697,7 @@ class _ViewProviderDraft:
                         "Draft","Defines a hatch pattern")
         vobj.addProperty("App::PropertyFloat","PatternSize",
                         "Draft","Sets the size of the pattern")
-        vobj.Pattern = [str(translate("draft","None"))]+svgpatterns().keys()
+        vobj.Pattern = [translate("draft","None")]+svgpatterns().keys()
         vobj.PatternSize = 1
 
     def __getstate__(self):
diff --git a/src/Mod/Draft/DraftTools.py b/src/Mod/Draft/DraftTools.py
index 54f140cd3..0f16bd6fb 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Draft/DraftTools.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Draft/DraftTools.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ MODALT = MODS[Draft.getParam("modalt",2)]
 
 def translate(context,text):
     "convenience function for Qt translator"
-    return QtGui.QApplication.translate(context, text, None, QtGui.QApplication.UnicodeUTF8)
+    return QtGui.QApplication.translate(context, text, None, QtGui.QApplication.UnicodeUTF8).encode("utf8")
 
 def msg(text=None,mode=None):
     "prints the given message on the FreeCAD status bar"
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ class Line(Creator):
                 'MenuText': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Line", "Line"),
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Line", "Creates a 2-point line. CTRL to snap, SHIFT to constrain")}
 
-    def Activated(self,name=str(translate("draft","Line"))):
+    def Activated(self,name=translate("draft","Line")):
         Creator.Activated(self,name)
         if self.doc:
             self.obj = None
@@ -565,7 +565,7 @@ class Wire(Line):
                 'MenuText': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Wire", "DWire"),
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Wire", "Creates a multiple-point DraftWire (DWire). CTRL to snap, SHIFT to constrain")}
     def Activated(self):
-        Line.Activated(self,name=str(translate("draft","DWire")))
+        Line.Activated(self,name=translate("draft","DWire"))
 
     
 class BSpline(Line):
@@ -581,7 +581,7 @@ class BSpline(Line):
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_BSpline", "Creates a multiple-point b-spline. CTRL to snap, SHIFT to constrain")}
 
     def Activated(self):
-        Line.Activated(self,name=str(translate("draft","BSpline")))
+        Line.Activated(self,name=translate("draft","BSpline"))
         if self.doc:
             self.bsplinetrack = bsplineTracker()
 
@@ -731,7 +731,7 @@ class Rectangle(Creator):
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Rectangle", "Creates a 2-point rectangle. CTRL to snap")}
 
     def Activated(self):
-        name = str(translate("draft","Rectangle"))
+        name = translate("draft","Rectangle")
         Creator.Activated(self,name)
         if self.ui:
             self.refpoint = None
@@ -1107,14 +1107,14 @@ class Arc(Creator):
             else:
                 self.step = 2
                 self.arctrack.setCenter(self.center)
-                self.ui.labelRadius.setText(str(translate("draft", "Start Angle")))
+                self.ui.labelRadius.setText(translate("draft", "Start Angle"))
                 self.linetrack.p1(self.center)
                 self.linetrack.on()
                 self.ui.radiusValue.setText("")
                 self.ui.radiusValue.setFocus()
                 msg(translate("draft", "Pick start angle:\n"))
         elif (self.step == 2):
-            self.ui.labelRadius.setText(str(translate("draft", "Aperture")))
+            self.ui.labelRadius.setText(translate("draft", "Aperture"))
             self.firstangle = math.radians(rad)
             if DraftVecUtils.equals(plane.axis, Vector(1,0,0)): u = Vector(0,self.rad,0)
             else: u = DraftVecUtils.scaleTo(Vector(1,0,0).cross(plane.axis), self.rad)
@@ -1155,7 +1155,7 @@ class Polygon(Creator):
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Polygon", "Creates a regular polygon. CTRL to snap, SHIFT to constrain")}
 
     def Activated(self):
-        name = str(translate("draft","Polygon"))
+        name = translate("draft","Polygon")
         Creator.Activated(self,name)
         if self.ui:
             self.step = 0
@@ -1334,7 +1334,7 @@ class Ellipse(Creator):
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Ellipse", "Creates an ellipse. CTRL to snap")}
 
     def Activated(self):
-        name = str(translate("draft","Ellipse"))
+        name = translate("draft","Ellipse")
         Creator.Activated(self,name)
         if self.ui:
             self.refpoint = None
@@ -1447,7 +1447,7 @@ class Text(Creator):
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Text", "Creates an annotation. CTRL to snap")}
 
     def Activated(self):
-        name = str(translate("draft","Text"))
+        name = translate("draft","Text")
         Creator.Activated(self,name)
         if self.ui:
             self.dialog = None
@@ -1524,7 +1524,7 @@ class Dimension(Creator):
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Dimension", "Creates a dimension. CTRL to snap, SHIFT to constrain, ALT to select a segment")}
 
     def Activated(self):
-        name = str(translate("draft","Dimension"))
+        name = translate("draft","Dimension")
         if self.cont:
             self.finish()
         elif self.hasMeasures():
@@ -1815,7 +1815,7 @@ class ShapeString(Creator):
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_ShapeString", "Creates text string in shapes.")}
  
     def Activated(self):
-        name = str(translate("draft","ShapeString"))
+        name = translate("draft","ShapeString")
         Creator.Activated(self,name)
         if self.ui:
             self.ui.sourceCmd = self
@@ -1939,7 +1939,7 @@ class Move(Modifier):
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Move", "Moves the selected objects between 2 points. CTRL to snap, SHIFT to constrain, ALT to copy")}
     
     def Activated(self):
-        self.name = str(translate("draft","Move"))
+        self.name = translate("draft","Move")
         Modifier.Activated(self,self.name)
         if self.ui:
             if not Draft.getSelection():
@@ -2827,7 +2827,7 @@ class Scale(Modifier):
                 'ToolTip': QtCore.QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Draft_Scale", "Scales the selected objects from a base point. CTRL to snap, SHIFT to constrain, ALT to copy")}
 
     def Activated(self):
-        self.name = str(translate("draft","Scale"))
+        self.name = translate("draft","Scale")
         Modifier.Activated(self,self.name)
         if self.ui:
             if not Draft.getSelection():
diff --git a/src/Mod/Draft/InitGui.py b/src/Mod/Draft/InitGui.py
index a16ff8198..103411279 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Draft/InitGui.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Draft/InitGui.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class DraftWorkbench (Workbench):
             from DraftTools import translate
             FreeCADGui.addLanguagePath(":/translations")
             FreeCADGui.addIconPath(":/icons")
-            self.appendMenu(["&Macro",str(translate("draft","Installed Macros"))],macros.macrosList)
+            self.appendMenu(["&Macro",translate("draft","Installed Macros")],macros.macrosList)
         except:
             pass
 
@@ -125,11 +125,11 @@ class DraftWorkbench (Workbench):
                          'Draft_Snap_Dimensions']
         self.appendToolbar(QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Workbench","Draft creation tools"),self.cmdList)
         self.appendToolbar(QT_TRANSLATE_NOOP("Workbench","Draft modification tools"),self.modList)
-        self.appendMenu(str(translate("draft","&Draft")),self.cmdList+self.modList)
-        self.appendMenu([str(translate("draft","&Draft")),str(translate("draft","Context tools"))],self.treecmdList)
-        self.appendMenu([str(translate("draft","&Draft")),str(translate("draft","Utilities"))],self.utils)
-        self.appendMenu([str(translate("draft","&Draft")),str(translate("draft","Wire tools"))],self.lineList)
-        self.appendMenu([str(translate("draft","&Draft")),str(translate("draft","Snapping"))],self.snapList)
+        self.appendMenu(translate("draft","&Draft"),self.cmdList+self.modList)
+        self.appendMenu([translate("draft","&Draft"),translate("draft","Context tools")],self.treecmdList)
+        self.appendMenu([translate("draft","&Draft"),translate("draft","Utilities")],self.utils)
+        self.appendMenu([translate("draft","&Draft"),translate("draft","Wire tools")],self.lineList)
+        self.appendMenu([translate("draft","&Draft"),translate("draft","Snapping")],self.snapList)
         if hasattr(FreeCADGui,"draftToolBar"):
             if not hasattr(FreeCADGui.draftToolBar,"loadedPreferences"):
                 FreeCADGui.addPreferencePage(":/ui/userprefs-base.ui","Draft")
diff --git a/src/Mod/Draft/importDWG.py b/src/Mod/Draft/importDWG.py
index 6fb019bff..0d281c907 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Draft/importDWG.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Draft/importDWG.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def getTeighaConverter():
         if os.path.exists(teigha):
             return teigha
     from DraftTools import translate
-    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(str(translate("draft","Teigha File Converter not found, DWG support is disabled.\n")))
+    FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(translate("draft","Teigha File Converter not found, DWG support is disabled.\n"))
     return None
     
 def convertToDxf(dwgfilename):