Convert PDF with Math symbols?

daithi81 · 10-09-2009, 02:57 PM

Is there are any way to convert PDF's which contain math formulae, without them becoming all garbled?

Elfwreck · 10-09-2009, 03:00 PM

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: Depends on the type of formulae, what software was used to make the PDF, and what's used for the conversion; Acrobat-based conversion is likely to lose formatting details.

Erm. Still means "no." Conversion from PDF, for anything other than basic linear text, is touchy at best.

daithi81 · 10-09-2009, 03:06 PM

Damn.

Patricia · 10-10-2009, 03:06 PM

I can think of two solutions. Neither is ideal:

1. Copy the parts with maths symbols. Make them into images. Put the images into the text at appropriate points.
(I often copy Greek quotations in texts, paste them into MS Paint, and save as a bitmap.)

2. Convert the entire text into a PDF, sized for the reader.

daithi81 · 10-10-2009, 03:10 PM

Cool, that would work for smaller texts, at least. Thanks!

Patricia · 10-10-2009, 03:17 PM

PDFRead just might work for you too, depending on your source text:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21906
According to the write-up in our wiki, it is a tool for converting primarily PDF and DJVU documents for reading on eBook devices. It does this by creating an image out of each page, enhancing the image and then collating the images in a device-specific format (supports .IMP/.RB/.OEB/.LRF/.PRC/.HTML)

daithi81 · 10-10-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricia

PDFRead just might work for you too, depending on your source text:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21906
According to the write-up in our wiki, it is a tool for converting primarily PDF and DJVU documents for reading on eBook devices. It does this by creating an image out of each page, enhancing the image and then collating the images in a device-specific format (supports .IMP/.RB/.OEB/.LRF/.PRC/.HTML)

Sounds good, will try that.

daithi81 · 10-10-2009, 03:40 PM

That is perfect, thank you!

Patricia · 10-10-2009, 03:45 PM

I'm glad that it works for you, daithi81!

WillAdams · 10-12-2009, 07:48 AM

This could be done directly, _if_ the file was done using LaTeX and _if_ the creator of it put in <alt> text for the equations which is either the LaTeX source for the equation or a nicely written out textual version of the equation.

But most people who care enough to do that also make the source available.

The bottom line is .pdf is an end-format, not an intermediary format and it's always better to go back to the source.

William

daithi81 · 10-13-2009, 07:44 AM

I'm just talking about books that come in pdf format, but I realise some notes were produced in LaTeX, thanks for the info.

10-09-2009, 02:57 PM	#1
daithi81 Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	Convert PDF with Math symbols? Is there are any way to convert PDF's which contain math formulae, without them becoming all garbled?

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10-09-2009, 03:00 PM	#2
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,185 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	Short answer: No. Longer answer: Depends on the type of formulae, what software was used to make the PDF, and what's used for the conversion; Acrobat-based conversion is likely to lose formatting details. Erm. Still means "no." Conversion from PDF, for anything other than basic linear text, is touchy at best.

10-09-2009, 03:06 PM	#3
daithi81 Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	Damn.

10-10-2009, 03:06 PM	#4
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	I can think of two solutions. Neither is ideal: 1. Copy the parts with maths symbols. Make them into images. Put the images into the text at appropriate points. (I often copy Greek quotations in texts, paste them into MS Paint, and save as a bitmap.) 2. Convert the entire text into a PDF, sized for the reader.

10-10-2009, 03:10 PM	#5
daithi81 Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	Cool, that would work for smaller texts, at least. Thanks!

10-10-2009, 03:17 PM	#6
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	PDFRead just might work for you too, depending on your source text: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21906 According to the write-up in our wiki, it is a tool for converting primarily PDF and DJVU documents for reading on eBook devices. It does this by creating an image out of each page, enhancing the image and then collating the images in a device-specific format (supports .IMP/.RB/.OEB/.LRF/.PRC/.HTML)

10-10-2009, 03:40 PM	#8
daithi81 Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	That is perfect, thank you!

10-10-2009, 03:45 PM	#9
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	I'm glad that it works for you, daithi81!

10-12-2009, 07:48 AM	#10
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,234 Karma: 3350652 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	This could be done directly, _if_ the file was done using LaTeX and _if_ the creator of it put in <alt> text for the equations which is either the LaTeX source for the equation or a nicely written out textual version of the equation. But most people who care enough to do that also make the source available. The bottom line is .pdf is an end-format, not an intermediary format and it's always better to go back to the source. William

10-13-2009, 07:44 AM	#11
daithi81 Member Posts: 22 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	I'm just talking about books that come in pdf format, but I realise some notes were produced in LaTeX, thanks for the info.