Yet another PDF to LRF converter - Page 18

HarryT · 10-23-2007, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ereszet

pdflrf does not support pdf output directly. There is a plethora of free programs to convert/print png to pdf.

Can you suggest a Windows application which will convert the ZIP file of PNGs to PDF? Being able to carry out the final step of creating a PDF would make this an incredibly useful tool for other bookreaders such as the iLiad and the CyBook!

HarryT · 10-23-2007, 07:36 AM

I've found a rather "round the houses" approach which is a free tool called "SwiftPDF". This will, however, not work with PNG files, so what I'm doing is:

1. Running PDF2LRF to generate the PNG files.
2. Batch converting the PNG files to JPG with PaintShop Pro.
3. Using SwiftPDF to combine the JPGs into a PDF

If anyone knows of a more "direct" approach I'd welcome the information. The results are superb, I must say.

ereszet · 10-23-2007, 01:31 PM

The best but costly direct approach is to use Adobe Acrobat (not Reader), which can combine files of various formats (a directory of files as well) into a pdf file.
I use an OCR program, Finereader (can read png format) to save the OCRed results in pdf format. That program also allows to save imported files to one or many pdf files without the OCR step. It's been long time since I used a trial version of Finereader, which does not allow to save the OCRed results, but you may try it to see if it can save images to pdf before OCR. Anyway, you may wish to buy Finereader if you decide to convert your pdf or image files to Word or other text format.
As for the freeware, out of many programs that can print any format to pdf, you need the one that converts a number of png files to one pdf file rather than printing every png file to a separate pdf file. While I have not searched internet for that, one of the options (still requires an additional step) is converting your png files to a multipage tiff file (free Irfanview does it in batch) and print multipage tiff to pdf.
BTW. If you are interested in joining separate pdf files into one, I can attach a free program that I downloaded from the net a few years ago (together with a split program for pdf files).

kovidgoyal · 10-23-2007, 03:18 PM

http://www.pdfhacks.com/pdftk/ should supply all your PDF post processing needs in particular the merging of multiple PDF files. You can use imagemagick and a script to convert a zip of PNGs to individual PDF files.

jbenny · 10-23-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've found a rather "round the houses" approach which is a free tool called "SwiftPDF". This will, however, not work with PNG files, so what I'm doing is:

1. Running PDF2LRF to generate the PNG files.
2. Batch converting the PNG files to JPG with PaintShop Pro.
3. Using SwiftPDF to combine the JPGs into a PDF

If anyone knows of a more "direct" approach I'd welcome the information. The results are superb, I must say.

For Windows users:

The attached zip file contains a little batch file I threw together, along with an unzip program and a copy of pdftk. You must also install a copy of ImageMagic. To use, open a command prompt and run the batch file, followed by the name of the zip file. If the zip file contains spaces, make sure you surround it with quotes.

ereszet · 10-24-2007, 11:52 AM

I just checked the Irfanview (now in version 4.10 and still free) and here is what you can do with it:

1. batch convert png files to pdf files (extremely fast)

2. convert png files to one pdf file in three steps:
2a. batch convert png files to tif files
2b. merge tif files to one multipage tif file (menu operation)
2c. save multipage tif file as pdf (menu operation)

HarryT · 10-24-2007, 12:00 PM

That looks excellent. Thanks - I'll check it out. It's pretty close to the way I'm doing it myself, except that I am using a commercial product (PaintShop Pro) for the batch conversion of the PNG files.

gardenstate · 10-28-2007, 04:43 PM

I use pdflrfwin (that loads the Windows GUI version 0.9) for batch PDF conversion.
-While the pdflrfwin window is open,
-use My Computer to open a window of the pdf files that you want to convert.
-Highlight the desired files that you want to convert and then
-DRAG AND DROP (hold down your left mouse button and then release at the desired location) this list to the pdflrfwin window input file line.

--oops.. didn't realize the thread was for html to lrf format....

ctennenh · 11-05-2007, 10:24 AM

I want to thank you for this utility. While I'm stuck using the GUI under virtualization on my mac it's made my research papers readable, and I mean _wonderfully_. I'm a mathematician and I've had no problem reading entire textbooks and downloaded articles, full of equations, proofs, and figures, after a run through this app. I turn off the rotation since portrait mode is easier for me, but I'm especially impressed with the way the TOC is handled.

Two notes, (definitely not gripes). Two column scanned articles (as I think has been mentioned) don't seem to work very well, but I'm going to try again. Also, I can't figure out how to get a one-page to one-page conversion. I'll take smaller type if it keeps pages from being split. Maybe there's a setting and I haven't yet found it.

Again, awesome utility. It's almost paid for itself in one book.
Also a big thanks to Kovidgoyal for libprs500 while I'm here. I've had no issues and the news feeds are great. I'd love a point-and-click method for adding new ones but, again, no gripes here. You guys are awesome. I'll be happy to beta test any mac stuff you guys are working on if it helps you out.

kovidgoyal · 11-05-2007, 10:58 AM

Interesting. Is the source of maths papers not usually available? I'm a physicist and I find it easier to recompile the LaTeX source of physics papers into pdf files sized for the reader using the geometry package.

ctennenh · 11-05-2007, 11:36 AM

I've been looking for sources but anything on MathSciNet seems to be in PDF or PS. I'll ask around, though.

I did manage to find how to keep pages from running together in pdflrf using the embarrassingly obvious checkbox, so I've got a 1-page-pdf-to-2-pages-lrf thing going on, which is better than the alternative.

smattos · 11-08-2007, 05:20 PM

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this incredible utility! I have spent hours trying to port a PDF to my Sony Reader with extremely poor (as in unreadable) results. Your PdfLrf for Windows program performed the task effortlessly.

Stan

gvkcr86 · 11-12-2007, 12:03 AM

thank you soo much....ur app is way beyond the words of my praise. still experimenting with the right match for me. thanks a lot once again

Linda · 11-12-2007, 05:03 PM

I did everything I think I was suppose to do and got the following message when I tried to convert a PDF file from the library.

"Connot open E:/documents and settings|Linda|My documentz\My Digital Editions|Lost_Lake.pdf as a pdf file"

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you.

Linda

gromo3eka · 11-13-2007, 08:27 AM

Hi,

this looks like an amazing tool, but unfortunately I get the following error:
Couldn't find a font for 'Times-Italic'

and the resultant .lrf file is blank. I'm using the linux version. Any suggestions?

Many thanks!!!
Jos

10-28-2007, 04:43 PM	#263
gardenstate Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 1069472 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago,IL USA suburb Device: Sony PRS-T1 and PRS-950	I use pdflrfwin (that loads the Windows GUI version 0.9) for batch PDF conversion. -While the pdflrfwin window is open, -use My Computer to open a window of the pdf files that you want to convert. -Highlight the desired files that you want to convert and then -DRAG AND DROP (hold down your left mouse button and then release at the desired location) this list to the pdflrfwin window input file line. --oops.. didn't realize the thread was for html to lrf format.... Last edited by gardenstate; 10-28-2007 at 04:46 PM.

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10-23-2007, 07:36 AM	#257
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I've found a rather "round the houses" approach which is a free tool called "SwiftPDF". This will, however, not work with PNG files, so what I'm doing is: 1. Running PDF2LRF to generate the PNG files. 2. Batch converting the PNG files to JPG with PaintShop Pro. 3. Using SwiftPDF to combine the JPGs into a PDF If anyone knows of a more "direct" approach I'd welcome the information. The results are superb, I must say.

10-23-2007, 01:31 PM	#258
ereszet Zealot Posts: 118 Karma: 306 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500 Archos 704 wifi	The best but costly direct approach is to use Adobe Acrobat (not Reader), which can combine files of various formats (a directory of files as well) into a pdf file. I use an OCR program, Finereader (can read png format) to save the OCRed results in pdf format. That program also allows to save imported files to one or many pdf files without the OCR step. It's been long time since I used a trial version of Finereader, which does not allow to save the OCRed results, but you may try it to see if it can save images to pdf before OCR. Anyway, you may wish to buy Finereader if you decide to convert your pdf or image files to Word or other text format. As for the freeware, out of many programs that can print any format to pdf, you need the one that converts a number of png files to one pdf file rather than printing every png file to a separate pdf file. While I have not searched internet for that, one of the options (still requires an additional step) is converting your png files to a multipage tiff file (free Irfanview does it in batch) and print multipage tiff to pdf. BTW. If you are interested in joining separate pdf files into one, I can attach a free program that I downloaded from the net a few years ago (together with a split program for pdf files).

10-23-2007, 03:18 PM	#259
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,308 Karma: 27111242 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	http://www.pdfhacks.com/pdftk/ should supply all your PDF post processing needs in particular the merging of multiple PDF files. You can use imagemagick and a script to convert a zip of PNGs to individual PDF files.

10-24-2007, 11:52 AM	#261
ereszet Zealot Posts: 118 Karma: 306 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500 Archos 704 wifi	I just checked the Irfanview (now in version 4.10 and still free) and here is what you can do with it: 1. batch convert png files to pdf files (extremely fast) 2. convert png files to one pdf file in three steps: 2a. batch convert png files to tif files 2b. merge tif files to one multipage tif file (menu operation) 2c. save multipage tif file as pdf (menu operation)

10-24-2007, 12:00 PM	#262
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	That looks excellent. Thanks - I'll check it out. It's pretty close to the way I'm doing it myself, except that I am using a commercial product (PaintShop Pro) for the batch conversion of the PNG files.

11-05-2007, 10:24 AM	#264
ctennenh Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Device: PRS-500	I want to thank you for this utility. While I'm stuck using the GUI under virtualization on my mac it's made my research papers readable, and I mean _wonderfully_. I'm a mathematician and I've had no problem reading entire textbooks and downloaded articles, full of equations, proofs, and figures, after a run through this app. I turn off the rotation since portrait mode is easier for me, but I'm especially impressed with the way the TOC is handled. Two notes, (definitely not gripes). Two column scanned articles (as I think has been mentioned) don't seem to work very well, but I'm going to try again. Also, I can't figure out how to get a one-page to one-page conversion. I'll take smaller type if it keeps pages from being split. Maybe there's a setting and I haven't yet found it. Again, awesome utility. It's almost paid for itself in one book. Also a big thanks to Kovidgoyal for libprs500 while I'm here. I've had no issues and the news feeds are great. I'd love a point-and-click method for adding new ones but, again, no gripes here. You guys are awesome. I'll be happy to beta test any mac stuff you guys are working on if it helps you out.

11-05-2007, 10:58 AM	#265
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,308 Karma: 27111242 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Interesting. Is the source of maths papers not usually available? I'm a physicist and I find it easier to recompile the LaTeX source of physics papers into pdf files sized for the reader using the geometry package.

11-05-2007, 11:36 AM	#266
ctennenh Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Device: PRS-500	I've been looking for sources but anything on MathSciNet seems to be in PDF or PS. I'll ask around, though. I did manage to find how to keep pages from running together in pdflrf using the embarrassingly obvious checkbox, so I've got a 1-page-pdf-to-2-pages-lrf thing going on, which is better than the alternative.

11-08-2007, 05:20 PM	#267
smattos Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Marvin, North Carolina Device: Sony Reader	Thank you, thank you, thank you for this incredible utility! I have spent hours trying to port a PDF to my Sony Reader with extremely poor (as in unreadable) results. Your PdfLrf for Windows program performed the task effortlessly. Stan

11-12-2007, 12:03 AM	#268
gvkcr86 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: sony prs505	thank you soo much....ur app is way beyond the words of my praise. still experimenting with the right match for me. thanks a lot once again

11-12-2007, 05:03 PM	#269
Linda Enthusiast Posts: 46 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: N/A	I did everything I think I was suppose to do and got the following message when I tried to convert a PDF file from the library. "Connot open E:/documents and settings\|Linda\|My documentz\My Digital Editions\|Lost_Lake.pdf as a pdf file" What am I doing wrong? Thank you. Linda

11-13-2007, 08:27 AM	#270
gromo3eka Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505	Hi, this looks like an amazing tool, but unfortunately I get the following error: Couldn't find a font for 'Times-Italic' and the resultant .lrf file is blank. I'm using the linux version. Any suggestions? Many thanks!!! Jos