Seeing images in a PDF file

[Zak]

If a PDF file is created out of a GIF image then does the recipient who
is trying to view the PDF need to have some application which will view
GIFs?

Alternatively, would the viewing of any graphic in a PDF (such as a GIF
or TIFF file) need only the PDF reader itself?

 

[CSM1]

If a PDF file is created out of a GIF image then does the recipient who
is trying to view the PDF need to have some application which will view
GIFs?

Alternatively, would the viewing of any graphic in a PDF (such as a GIF
or TIFF file) need only the PDF reader itself?

You only need the PDF reader. That is the beauty of PDF, whatever is put
into a PDF will be displayed by the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

PDF is also the universal document format that insures that it will print as
the author intended.

 

[Zak]

You only need the PDF reader. That is the beauty of PDF, whatever
is put into a PDF will be displayed by the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

PDF is also the universal document format that insures that it will
print as the author intended.

I use XP.
I scan a document to a graphics file (eg jpg, gif, bmp, etc)
Then I make a PDF from the graphics file.

I see that if I save a large bitmap (BMP) and then create a PDF then
the PDF is no bigger than if I had compressed the image to a GIF and
used that to create a PDF file.

In order to preserve quality, avoid artefacts and interference
patterns, would it be better to save to a large and detailed
intermediate file like a BMP (or even a jpeg) or to save to a small
lossless file like a GIF or TIF?

 

[CSM1]

I use XP.
I scan a document to a graphics file (eg jpg, gif, bmp, etc)
Then I make a PDF from the graphics file.

I see that if I save a large bitmap (BMP) and then create a PDF then
the PDF is no bigger than if I had compressed the image to a GIF and
used that to create a PDF file.

In order to preserve quality, avoid artifacts and interference
patterns, would it be better to save to a large and detailed
intermediate file like a BMP (or even a jpeg) or to save to a small
lossless file like a GIF or TIF?

If you have OmniPage 15, you can scan and create the PDF in one step.
Actually three steps in Omnipage. Scan, OCR(with edit), Save file.

Pro version (The best choice. Includes PDF Create! and PDF Convert).
http://www.nuance.com/omnipage/professional/
If you own any OCR package, You can buy the upgrade version.
Or the Standard version:
http://www.nuance.com/omnipage/standard/

I use PDF Create! for a great number of my PDF files.
A large number of the PDF Film data sheets on my web site were created with
PDF Create! The sheets were scanned to a 300 DPI TIFF then I used PDF
Create!.
http://www.carlmcmillan.com/film_data.htm

As to your question, I think scanning to TIFF is the best approach, if you
scan to an image first. OCR does require at least 300 DPI to do well.

Tif is not small unless you scan at a low resolution and use compression.
You do not want a low resolution scan, 300 DPI for text and more if Line
drawings.

Tif is lossless. Jpeg is Lossy and may create artifacts on lines and some
text.

BMP and Gif do not store the scan resolution in the image file. TIF does.

 

[Zak]

If you have OmniPage 15, you can scan and create the PDF in one

-- snip --

I use PDF Create! for a great number of my PDF files.
A large number of the PDF Film data sheets on my web site were
created with PDF Create! The sheets were scanned to a 300 DPI TIFF
then I used PDF Create!.
http://www.carlmcmillan.com/film_data.htm

Omnipage is way too expensive. Is "PDF Create!" the same application as
"PDF Creator" (by Philip Chinery etc?

As to your question, I think scanning to TIFF is the best approach,
if you scan to an image first. OCR does require at least 300 DPI to
do well.

Tif is not small unless you scan at a low resolution and use
compression. You do not want a low resolution scan, 300 DPI for
text and more if Line drawings.

When you create the PDF from a TIFF, do you not find that the PDF file
is noticeably smaller than the TIFF file?

This is what made me ask about the best file format and resolution as it
seems that the PDF uses its own settings.

I am guessing that the conversion process works when the larger file's
specifications are an exact multiple of the smaller file's specs. If
you see what I mean.

Tif is lossless. Jpeg is Lossy and may create artifacts on lines
and some text.

BMP and Gif do not store the scan resolution in the image file. TIF
does.

That's interesting about TIF storing scan resolution.

 

[Bruce]

Zak,

Your PDF creation program takes whatever images you give it, converts
their format and compresses them (lossy) according to the user settings
in the PDF program. Depending on the particular program, you are not
often given much control. For best image quality you are probably best
off giving it the bigger file to work with, but this is highly dependent
on software settings, format details and your specific needs.

CSM1 is suggesting converting your document images to text files with
OCR. This dramatically reduces file size, avoids resolution/legibility
problems and allows text searching and editing. The disadvantages are
that OCR adds more steps to the process and makes mistakes (very few if
the original is clean plain text scanned at ~300 ppi). A human must
proof read if accuracy is important. OCR programs are readily available
as most scanners include a basic program in the package, but complex
documents can require a professional OCR package or work and skill on
your part.

 

[CSM1]

Omnipage is way too expensive.

Would you pay $79.99 or $99.99 for Omnipage 15?
They claim:
But hurry, this exclusive offer expires on April 30, 2006.

I have often found that Nuance will repeat the offer sometime. Maybe when
they come out with a new version. (look for Omnipage 16 next year).

Is "PDF Create!" the same application as
"PDF Creator" (by Philip Chinery etc?

The About says :
ScanSoft PDF Create! English
Copyright(c) 2005 ScanSoft, Inc and Zeon Corporation.
All rights reserved.

So the answer is No, not the same program.
If the program you are using does the job, then that is great!

When you create the PDF from a TIFF, do you not find that the PDF file
is noticeably smaller than the TIFF file?

Yes, they usually are, sometimes the PDF is larger. Depends on the content
of the TIFF.

This is what made me ask about the best file format and resolution as it
seems that the PDF uses its own settings.

PDF does use its own settings and compression, but the resultant PDF is much
better when you start with a good clean 300 DPI Image.

I sometimes edit the image file before PDF Create!.
I clean up the specks and creases in the scan if I can. PhotoShop Elements
is a fantastic Image editor.

I am guessing that the conversion process works when the larger file's
specifications are an exact multiple of the smaller file's specs. If
you see what I mean.

You mean if it is an exact multiple of 8 bits or power of two?

That's interesting about TIF storing scan resolution.

So does Jpeg, but Lossy. PNG does also on some editors.

TIFF is the most universal format. More readers can read TIFF than any other
image format.

Wayne Fulton has a chart of the different image file formats. And a detailed
look at them.
http://www.scantips.com/basics09.html