Figures that contain text

xmlgirl · 05-07-2012, 09:16 AM

I have some figures in which I would like to make the text within them searchable. If I put text from the image in an image attribute will it be searchable? Or is there some other way I can make it searchable by putting invisible text in the document after the figure?
Thanks

DSpider · 05-07-2012, 01:27 PM

SVG can have selectable text (and searchable, I think).

Inkscape can help you out. Search "inkscape text" on Youtube to learn more about it. The "figures" themselves can also be vectorized for a smoother look.

HarryT · 05-08-2012, 06:08 AM

Does using the "Alt" attribute of the <img> tag not work?

Jellby · 05-08-2012, 10:09 AM

I don't think alt text should be searchable, unless it is being displayed, and it should only be displayed if the image isn't. I guess you could have some text with the image overlaying it (put the text in a 0-height, div before the figure, for instance.

dwig · 05-08-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Does using the "Alt" attribute of the <img> tag not work?

This didn't seem to work in my quick test.

I created an ePub in Sigil with unique ALT text in the <IMG> tag. Neither ADE/Windows nor my Kindle3 (calibre conversion to MOBI from the ePub) found anything when I searched for the text in the ALT attribute.

DaleDe · 05-08-2012, 04:10 PM

Search is a feature of the application and how it works is not defined in the database format. Thus you can't really depend on it. You might try some text outside the image with the display set to none. The latest KindleGen claims to honor this setting, even in CSS.

SBT · 05-10-2012, 05:07 AM

Would it be possible to add a line of hidden text immediately after the image?
Set font-size/lineheight to 0, font colour to white, text box width to 0, or something like that?

Jellby · 05-10-2012, 09:48 AM

Have you tried this?:

Code:

<div class="hidden_searchable">Find me</div>
<div><img src="image.jpg" alt=""/></div>

with:

Code:

div.hidden_searchable { height: 0; }

Toxaris · 05-11-2012, 02:13 AM

You could try SVG as DSpider already suggested. According to the ePUB 2 specs this must be searchable.

Quote:

Text in SVG images should be selectable and searchable. SVG images may contain links (a elements) and thus may be used for navigation. If a Reading System supports "tabbing" through links, SVG links must be included.

xmlgirl · 05-11-2012, 11:22 AM

Lots of great ideas, thanks. I'm converting from PDF, so SVG is out on these older documents, but I'd certainly like to play around with it some day. I'm going to try the "invisible" text and see if it works.

05-07-2012, 09:16 AM	#1
xmlgirl Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 496864 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Virginia Device: none	Figures that contain text I have some figures in which I would like to make the text within them searchable. If I put text from the image in an image attribute will it be searchable? Or is there some other way I can make it searchable by putting invisible text in the document after the figure? Thanks

05-10-2012, 09:48 AM	#8
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,515 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	Have you tried this?: Code: <div class="hidden_searchable">Find me</div> <div><img src="image.jpg" alt=""/></div> with: Code: div.hidden_searchable { height: 0; }

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05-07-2012, 01:27 PM	#2
DSpider Evangelist Posts: 450 Karma: 343115 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Romania Device: PW2 2014	SVG can have selectable text (and searchable, I think). Inkscape can help you out. Search "inkscape text" on Youtube to learn more about it. The "figures" themselves can also be vectorized for a smoother look.

05-08-2012, 06:08 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Does using the "Alt" attribute of the <img> tag not work?

05-08-2012, 10:09 AM	#4
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,515 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	I don't think alt text should be searchable, unless it is being displayed, and it should only be displayed if the image isn't. I guess you could have some text with the image overlaying it (put the text in a 0-height, div before the figure, for instance.

05-08-2012, 04:10 PM	#6
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,470 Karma: 13095790 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7	Search is a feature of the application and how it works is not defined in the database format. Thus you can't really depend on it. You might try some text outside the image with the display set to none. The latest KindleGen claims to honor this setting, even in CSS.

05-10-2012, 05:07 AM	#7
SBT Fanatic Posts: 580 Karma: 810184 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Norway Device: prs-t1, tablet, Nook Simple, assorted kindles, iPad	Would it be possible to add a line of hidden text immediately after the image? Set font-size/lineheight to 0, font colour to white, text box width to 0, or something like that?

05-11-2012, 11:22 AM	#10
xmlgirl Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 496864 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Virginia Device: none	Lots of great ideas, thanks. I'm converting from PDF, so SVG is out on these older documents, but I'd certainly like to play around with it some day. I'm going to try the "invisible" text and see if it works.

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