PRS-650 Optimize PDF

[UpSpin]

As I'm a science student most of my books or articles are in PDF thus I'm in the search of a good way to view PDF files on the eReader. Yep, on the Sony eReader because I need the eInk display.

At the moment I try to figure out how to properly read original and scanned physics books.
Using reflow doesn't work that good, it just doesn't handle equations well.

My main problem is to find the right page size, because the Sony eReader has the odd behavior to add grey margins to not optimal sized books instead of allowing to pan or so.

Well, after a lot of trial and error I figured some working measurements which get displayed with a 1:1 scale (sadly it's not a a pixel precise size).

Width: 89,4 mm
Height: 115,4 mm


Right now I test a scanned book, used Acrobat OCR ClearScan and after that resized the page and set the right page size with cropping. sample.pdf It works pretty well and in landscape mode it's nicely readable. And if I can't read an equation, then I can zoom in and pan to the equation:



So how do others read PDF files on their eReader? Some tips some tricks? I haven't found that useful information yet, most recommend a tablet without a sunlight readable display, useless for me.

It's a bit sad that the integrated PDF reader has so few options. Is it possible to install alternative PDF readers just like the apps which got installed with PRS+?

[Prestidigitweeze]

Just had the chance to look at a sample of one of your files on both my Kindle and Sony PRS-350. I'm amazed at your conversion of a complicated textbook for a small-screened eReader: You've managed to make it so flexible that no ePub or mobi file or even physical copy is needed. The graphics remain clear at every different level of magnification, the cropping is perfect and the text resizing from XS to XXL is completely readable and repaginates beautifully as long as one turns the page after changing the magnification level.

Never in my life have I seen a pdf file as flexible as yours. If they all worked this well, then no one would need an iPad.

The mods really ought to move this post to the PDF forum and sticky it, as I've never seen anyone format a PDF for an eReader as as well as you've done here.

[mrmls]

I would say you have got the best results possible. Well done!

Haven't heard of installing another PDF reader. Sony already has Adobe Mobile PDF reader. It should be the best for rendering pdf-s.

[UpSpin]

Thank you.
Yes, the Adobe PDF has a great display quality and supports any PDF file, but lacks some comfortable features, sadly.

Because similar questions about PDFs get asked in this forum sometimes, I'll create a guide about PDF files, including a detailed description how to create and optimize PDFs for the reader. Stay tuned.

[yelloguy]

UpSpin: If I could get these results I would be happy. Do you mind sharing your recipe? What tools and what steps do you use? I have a PRS 350 and I do a mish mash of cropping (using OSX Preview) on some PDF's, Calibre convert to epub on others and just built in reflow on others.

Nothing gives me completely satisfying results like a normal epub. I am thinking about getting a tablet since most of my reading is PDF.

[AlexBell]

Originally Posted by UpSpin

Because similar questions about PDFs get asked in this forum sometimes, I'll create a guide about PDF files, including a detailed description how to create and optimize PDFs for the reader. Stay tuned.

Please do, and if you post in another forum then please leave a message here so I don't miss it.

You've got a lot of Karma for someone with so few posts, and I can see why.

Regards, Alex

[Angst]

You might also want to check out Briss for cropping the PDF borders.
You can find it here.

[UpSpin]

so you get a notification:
I created a guide here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=133924